Can I get unemployment if laid off from my Washington ESD eligible job?

Yes, if you're laid off through no fault of your own, you should qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington. You'll need to file your claim as soon as possible after your last day of work. Make sure you have your Social Security number, employment history for the past 18 months, and bank account info for direct deposit ready when you apply online.

Being laid off definitely qualifies you for UI benefits assuming you meet the work and wage requirements. You need to have worked enough hours and earned enough wages in your base period. Washington ESD will calculate this automatically when you file, but generally you need to have worked at least 680 hours in your base year.

I got laid off last year and the whole process was actually pretty smooth. Just make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still pending. Missing a week can mess up your benefits later.

Just went through this myself and had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions about my claim status. The phone lines are always busy and their callback system rarely works. I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have this demo video (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ) showing how it works - basically they handle the calling for you and connect you when an agent is available.

make sure you keep all your layoff paperwork and any severance info. washington esd might ask for it during the application process

The most important thing is to file immediately after your last day. Don't wait thinking you might find another job quickly - you can always stop claiming if you find work, but you can't backdate your claim start date. Also be prepared for the job search requirements - you need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week.

Don't stress too much about it. Layoffs happen and that's exactly what unemployment insurance is for. I've been through it twice and both times Washington ESD processed my claims without any major issues. Just be honest on your application and respond quickly if they need additional information.

One thing to watch out for - if your company offers you any kind of temporary work or reduced hours instead of laying you off completely, that might affect your benefits. Sometimes it's better to take the full layoff depending on the situation.

The Washington ESD website can be confusing to navigate at first. Take your time filling out the application and double-check everything before submitting. Mistakes can cause delays in processing.

Also remember you can work part-time while collecting unemployment as long as you report the wages. Washington has partial unemployment benefits if you're earning less than your weekly benefit amount.

Been there, done that. Layoffs suck but the unemployment system in Washington is pretty decent compared to other states. You should be able to collect for up to 26 weeks as long as you keep filing weekly and meeting the job search requirements.

Quick tip - set up direct deposit when you file your claim. Paper checks take longer and can get lost in the mail. Also make sure your address is current in case they need to mail you anything important.

If you haven't been laid off yet, try to get as much information as possible from HR about the layoff - exact date, reason, any recall possibilities. Washington ESD might ask for these details and it's better to have accurate information from the start.

washington esd is actually pretty good about approving layoff claims quickly since its not your fault. my claim was approved in like 10 days. the hard part is just getting through on the phone if you have questions

Don't forget about WorkSourceWA registration - you need to do that within a certain timeframe after filing your claim. It's separate from the unemployment application but required to keep getting benefits.

The whole system seems overwhelming at first but it's really not that complicated once you get started. Just take it one step at a time and don't be afraid to ask questions on forums like this if you get stuck.