Can felons get unemployment benefits in Washington state?

That's really helpful to know. I was worried they'd reject me automatically because of my record. Should I mention the conviction when I file or just answer honestly if they ask?

Be honest if they ask directly, but your criminal history isn't typically part of the initial eligibility determination. Focus on your work history and reason for job separation.

How long did it take for your claim to get approved? I'm nervous about the whole process.

Mine took about 3 weeks, but that was pretty standard timing. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time even while waiting for approval.

What if you were fired from a previous job for misconduct but your most recent job was a layoff? Does that affect anything?

They typically only look at your most recent job separation for eligibility purposes. If you were laid off from your current job, that's what matters for your claim.

How does that work exactly? Do they charge you to make the call for you?

They basically keep calling Washington ESD for you until they get through, then connect you to the agent. Worth checking out if you run into issues reaching them.

That's reassuring to hear. Were you able to find new jobs pretty easily while collecting benefits?

yeah took me about 6 weeks the first time and 4 weeks the second time. just gotta keep applying and documenting your job search like they require

Do I need to register with WorkSourceWA right away or can I wait until after I file my claim?

You should register with WorkSourceWA within your first week of filing. It's one of the eligibility requirements to maintain your benefits.

I waited like 3 weeks to register and they didn't seem to care when I finally did it. But better safe than sorry I guess.

I only worked at one place since getting out. Is that going to be a problem for meeting the work requirements?

As long as you worked enough hours and earned enough wages in your base period, having one employer shouldn't be an issue. They'll calculate your benefit amount based on your earnings.

Is that service legit? Seems too good to be true that they can actually get through when nobody else can.

yeah its legit, they just keep redialing the numbers until someone picks up. way better than sitting there hitting redial yourself for hours

Thank you, that makes me feel a lot better about applying. I was really worried they'd automatically deny me.

No problem! The worst thing you can do is not apply when you're eligible. You've been paying into the system through your payroll taxes, so you've earned the right to benefits when you need them.

Good point about the waiting week. I'll file this weekend so I don't lose any time.

Yeah definitely don't wait. I made that mistake and ended up losing two weeks of potential benefits because I was worried about applying.

Do I need to have my tax returns or pay stubs when I file, or just the basic employment information?

Just the basic info for filing. They might ask for additional documentation later if there are any questions about your earnings or employment history.

What day of the week do you usually file your weekly claim? Does it matter when you do it?

i always do mine on sunday mornings. you can file anytime during the week but i like getting it done early so i dont forget

How much does something like that cost? I'm already stressed about money.

It was worth it for me to avoid the stress of trying to get through myself. Check out their website for details, but getting my claim resolved was the most important thing.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice. I'm going to file my claim this weekend and hopefully everything goes smoothly.

Good luck! Remember to keep track of your job search activities and file your weekly claims on time. You've got this!

That's a great suggestion. I'll ask about training programs when I register with WorkSourceWA.

Yeah they have some good programs. I did a forklift certification through them while on unemployment and it definitely helped me get my next job.