Can immigrants file for unemployment benefits with Washington ESD?
I've been working in Washington state for two years on a valid work visa and recently got laid off from my tech job. My coworker mentioned I might be able to file for unemployment but I'm not sure if immigrants are eligible? I have all my work authorization documents and have been paying into the system through payroll taxes. Does anyone know if Washington ESD allows non-citizens to apply for UI benefits? I really need the financial help while I look for another job.
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CosmicCruiser
Yes, you can absolutely file for unemployment in Washington if you have work authorization! I'm an immigrant too and filed successfully last year. As long as you have valid work authorization documents (like an EAD, H1B, etc.) and meet the other eligibility requirements, Washington ESD doesn't discriminate based on citizenship status. You'll need to provide your work authorization documents when you file your claim.
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Diego Vargas
•That's such a relief! I was worried I wouldn't qualify. Do I upload the work authorization docs through the online system or mail them in?
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CosmicCruiser
•You can upload them through the secure document portal on the Washington ESD website. Much faster than mailing!
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Anastasia Fedorov
The key thing is having valid work authorization during the time you worked AND when you file the claim. If your work visa expires while you're receiving benefits, that could affect your eligibility. Make sure to report any changes in your work authorization status to Washington ESD immediately.
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Diego Vargas
•Good point about the expiration. My visa is valid for another 18 months so I should be okay for now.
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Sean Doyle
•What happens if someone's work authorization expires while they're on unemployment? Do they have to pay it back?
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Anastasia Fedorov
•If you lose work authorization, you become ineligible for benefits going forward. You wouldn't have to pay back what you already received legally, but you'd need to stop filing weekly claims.
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Zara Rashid
I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I filed my claim last month. Spent hours on hold trying to verify my immigration documents. Eventually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made the whole process so much easier than trying to call on my own.
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Diego Vargas
•Interesting, I haven't heard of that before. Did they charge you anything to help get through?
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Zara Rashid
•There is a fee but it was worth it to avoid spending entire days trying to reach someone. Plus they actually got me to the right department for immigration document verification.
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Luca Romano
•Sounds like a scam to me. Why would you pay someone to make a phone call for you?
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Zara Rashid
•I was skeptical too at first, but after trying for weeks to get through on my own, it was a lifesaver. Not everyone has the luxury of spending 6+ hours a day on hold.
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Nia Jackson
Just want to add that you'll need to meet all the other regular eligibility requirements too - like having enough earnings in your base period, being able and available for work, and actively searching for jobs. Being authorized to work is just one piece of the puzzle.
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Diego Vargas
•Yes, I've been working full-time for two years so I should meet the earnings requirements. Already started job searching too.
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NebulaNova
•Don't forget about the job search requirements! You need to document your job search activities and register with WorkSource.
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Mateo Hernandez
I'm on an H4 visa (dependent visa) and my work authorization comes from an EAD. Filed for unemployment last year when my company downsized and had no issues with Washington ESD. They were actually pretty understanding about the immigration documentation process.
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Diego Vargas
•That's encouraging! I'm also on an H1B so our situations are similar. How long did it take for your claim to get approved?
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Mateo Hernandez
•About 3 weeks, but there was some back and forth with document verification. Make sure you have clear, legible copies of all your work authorization docs.
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Aisha Khan
•3 weeks isn't bad considering they had to verify immigration status. Mine took 5 weeks but that was during peak COVID times.
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Ethan Taylor
One thing to be careful about - if you're planning to apply for a green card or citizenship later, receiving unemployment benefits generally won't hurt your case. It's not considered a "public charge" since you earned the benefits through your work contributions. But always good to double-check with an immigration attorney if you have concerns.
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Diego Vargas
•That's a great point I hadn't considered. I am planning to apply for permanent residency next year.
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Yuki Ito
•Yeah unemployment insurance is different from welfare programs. You paid into it through your payroll taxes so it's not a handout.
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Carmen Lopez
•Still worth checking with an immigration lawyer though, especially with how the rules keep changing.
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AstroAdventurer
Pro tip: when you file online, make sure you select the correct visa type from the dropdown menu. I initially picked the wrong category and it delayed my claim processing by a week while they sorted it out.
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Diego Vargas
•Good to know! I'll be extra careful with that part of the application.
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Andre Dupont
•Yes! And don't abbreviate anything - spell out your full visa category exactly as it appears on your documents.
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Zoe Papanikolaou
The Washington ESD website has a whole section about eligibility requirements that covers work authorization. It's pretty clear that as long as you were legally authorized to work when you earned your wages, you can receive benefits. The confusing part is all the different visa types and their specific requirements.
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Diego Vargas
•I'll check that out. Sometimes the government websites can be hard to navigate but it's good to read the official requirements.
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Jamal Wilson
•The website is actually pretty user-friendly compared to some other states. They have examples for different situations too.
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Mei Lin
I tried filing online but kept getting error messages when I uploaded my EAD card. Had to call Washington ESD directly to sort it out. The agent was helpful once I finally got through, but it took like 2 hours on hold. Might be worth trying that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier if you run into technical issues.
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Diego Vargas
•Ugh, technical issues are the worst when you're already stressed about being unemployed. I'll keep that in mind as a backup option.
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Liam Fitzgerald
•The document upload feature can be glitchy. Sometimes it helps to try a different browser or clear your cache.
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Mei Lin
•I tried all that but it was an issue with the file format. The agent had to manually process my documents.
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GalacticGuru
For what it's worth, I've helped several immigrant friends navigate the Washington ESD system and they've all been able to receive benefits without major issues. The most important thing is being upfront about your immigration status and providing all requested documentation promptly. Don't try to hide anything - it'll just cause delays and complications.
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Diego Vargas
•Absolutely, transparency is definitely the way to go. I have nothing to hide anyway since I've been working legally this whole time.
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Amara Nnamani
•Exactly. The system is set up to help people who've been paying into it legally. Just follow the process and be patient.
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Giovanni Mancini
•Patience is key with any government agency, but especially when there are additional verification steps involved.
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Fatima Al-Suwaidi
Quick question - do they require proof of job search activities to be in English? I've been applying to some jobs at companies where the primary language isn't English, so some of my application materials are in other languages.
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GalacticGuru
•As long as you can document your job search activities, the language shouldn't matter. You might need to provide English translations if they request more details during an audit.
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Diego Vargas
•That's a good question I wouldn't have thought of. Most of my job applications will be in English since I work in tech.
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Dylan Cooper
Last thing - make sure you understand the weekly claim filing process. You have to file every week even if you don't have any work to report. Missing a week can cause payment delays. The system sends you reminders but it's easy to forget when you're dealing with job search stress.
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Diego Vargas
•Good reminder! I'll set up calendar alerts so I don't forget. Thanks everyone for all the helpful info - feeling much more confident about filing now.
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Sofia Morales
•You're welcome! This community is great for helping each other navigate the system. Good luck with your claim and job search!
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StarSailor
•Hope everything works out smoothly for you. The tech job market is pretty good right now so hopefully you'll find something soon.
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Molly Chambers
Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this process recently! I'm on an L1 visa and filed for unemployment with Washington ESD about 6 months ago. The whole process was pretty straightforward once I gathered all my documents. Make sure you have your I-94 record handy too - they asked for that in addition to my work authorization documents. The online system worked fine for me, but I did scan my documents at high resolution to avoid any upload issues. One tip: if you have any gaps in your work authorization history (like renewals), be prepared to explain those with supporting documentation. Washington ESD was very thorough but fair in their review process. Best of luck with your claim!
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Kaylee Cook
•This is really helpful! I didn't know about needing the I-94 record - I'll make sure to download that from the CBP website before I file. The high resolution scanning tip is great too. It's reassuring to hear from someone on a similar visa type who went through the process successfully. Did they ask for any additional documentation beyond what you initially submitted, or was everything approved with your first submission?
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