Can nurses get unemployment benefits in Washington - ESD eligibility question

That's such a relief! I was worried there might be some restriction because we're healthcare workers. Do I need any special documentation from the hospital?

Nope, just the standard stuff - your Social Security number, employment dates, and reason for separation. The hospital should provide you with a separation notice too.

Good point about the PRN work. I was thinking about doing some per diem shifts to supplement. How exactly do I report that?

You report it when you file your weekly claim. There's a section asking about any work performed and wages earned. Be honest about it - they cross-reference with employers.

This is so important! I know someone who got an overpayment notice because they didn't report their part-time nursing shifts properly.

What's adjudication? Should I be worried about that?

Adjudication is when Washington ESD needs to investigate something about your claim before approving it. It could be triggered by anything - sometimes even just routine verification. Can take several weeks unfortunately.

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

Honestly I was skeptical at first too but it was worth it to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD instead of just getting hung up on constantly. The peace of mind was valuable to me.

I've heard of Claimyr too. My neighbor used it when she couldn't get through about her overpayment issue. She said it worked well.

Do I have to apply to jobs outside of nursing or can I focus just on RN positions?

You can focus on nursing positions that match your training and experience. Washington ESD understands that professional jobs require specific qualifications. Just document everything properly.

The job search log is super important! I got called for an interview about mine and had to provide all my documentation. Keep detailed records.

My last day is Friday. Can I file over the weekend or do I need to wait until Monday?

You can file online 24/7 through the Washington ESD website. Don't wait until Monday - file as soon as you're off work Friday!

How would I know if they contested it? The layoff was definitely not performance related - they cut 15 nurses.

Washington ESD will notify you if there's a contest. Since it sounds like a clear layoff situation with multiple people affected, you probably won't have issues.

Do I need to list every single nursing job I've had or just recent ones?

they usually ask for 18 months of work history. focus on your most recent positions and have the details ready

Yeah, 18 months is the standard lookback period for determining your benefit amount.

Thank you, that's encouraging to hear. It's been stressful wondering about finances.

Definitely! And don't feel bad about filing for unemployment - you've been paying into the system through your paychecks. This is exactly what it's for.

We weren't unionized at my hospital but that's good to know for future reference.

Even non-union nurses can sometimes get help from professional nursing organizations if they're members.

Good reminder. I've been getting more random calls lately, probably because word gets out about layoffs.

Yes! And be careful about giving out your Social Security number except to verified employers or Washington ESD directly.

Seems like a lot of people have had phone issues with Washington ESD. Is it always this hard to get through?

It's been particularly bad lately. High call volume and limited staffing. That's why services like Claimyr have become popular - they know the best times and methods to get through.

I tried Claimyr too after seeing it recommended here. Worked for me when I couldn't get answers about my job search requirements.

Great advice! I'm definitely going to be organized about this from the start.

Smart approach. Organization really helps if you ever need to appeal anything or if there are questions about your claim.

Absolutely. I learned this the hard way when I had to reconstruct my job search log for an audit.