Can undocumented immigrants get unemployment benefits from Washington ESD?

Unfortunately, Washington ESD requires work authorization to be eligible for unemployment benefits. Even if you've been paying into the system, you need to be authorized to work in the US to receive UI benefits. This is a federal requirement that applies to all states.

You might want to check with an immigration attorney or worker rights organization. Sometimes there are other assistance programs available even if you can't get regular unemployment benefits.

I tried calling Washington ESD about this same question last year and couldn't get through to anyone. Spent hours on hold just to get disconnected. Finally found claimyr.com which helped me actually reach a representative who confirmed the work authorization requirement. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

This is such a broken system. People pay into unemployment insurance but can't access it when they need it most. The whole immigration system needs reform.

Have you looked into whether your employer was properly withholding taxes? If they were taking out unemployment insurance but you're not eligible, that might be an issue to address.

You might qualify for emergency assistance programs through DSHS or community organizations. They don't have the same work authorization requirements.

This happened to my neighbor. He ended up getting help from a church food bank and some local organizations while looking for new work. Not the same as unemployment but helped with basic needs.

Check if you qualify for any union benefits if you were part of a construction union. Some unions have hardship funds for members regardless of immigration status.

The whole situation sucks but at least you know where you stand legally. Better to know now than waste time filing a claim that would get denied.

I used claimyr when I had questions about my own claim eligibility. Really helped me get through to Washington ESD quickly instead of spending days trying to call. Worth it if you need to ask about other programs or options.

Document everything - your pay stubs, tax contributions, the layoff notice. Even if you can't get unemployment now, it might be useful if immigration laws change.

Try contacting your state representatives office too. They sometimes know about programs or resources that aren't widely advertised.

Sorry you're going through this. The system is complicated and unfair in many ways. Focus on finding work and accessing whatever community resources are available.