Can you apply for unemployment if you get laid off in Washington?

Yes, absolutely! Getting laid off is exactly the kind of situation unemployment insurance is designed for. Since it wasn't your fault (involuntary separation), you should definitely qualify for Washington ESD benefits. You can file your claim online at esd.wa.gov as soon as this Sunday - they process new claims on Sundays. Don't wait because there's a one-week waiting period before benefits start.

sorry this happened to you, layoffs suck. i got laid off 6 months ago and yeah you can definitely apply. washington esd approved mine pretty quick since it was clearly not my fault. just make sure you have all your paperwork ready

Layoffs are considered 'involuntary separations' so you should qualify for UI benefits. The key is that you lost your job through no fault of your own. Make sure when you file that you select 'lack of work' or 'layoff' as your separation reason. Washington ESD will verify this with your employer but layoffs are usually straightforward approvals.

I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about my claim status and it's impossible to get through on the phone. If you run into issues with your application or need to talk to someone, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. It was honestly a lifesaver when I was stuck in adjudication limbo.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN! I got laid off last year and it took them 8 WEEKS to process my claim even though it was obviously a layoff. They kept asking for more documentation that I already submitted. Be prepared for delays and frustration.

Just to clarify the process: 1) File your initial claim online, 2) Wait for determination letter, 3) File weekly claims every week even during the waiting period, 4) Complete job search activities (3 per week), 5) Report any work or income. Don't skip the weekly claims even if you haven't been approved yet.

I'm going through something similar - got laid off from a retail management position last month. The Washington ESD website is pretty straightforward for filing but I kept getting error messages. Had to try multiple times over a few days before it went through successfully.

yeah layoffs qualify for sure. i've been laid off twice in the past 5 years (construction industry is rough) and got approved both times. just be honest about everything and keep records of your job search

One important thing - make sure you file in the right week. If you were laid off on a Friday, you can file that Sunday. But if you were laid off mid-week, you might want to wait until the following Sunday so your benefit year starts at the right time. The Washington ESD website has specific guidance on this timing.

also don't forget to ask your employer about COBRA health insurance if you need it. losing your job sucks but at least unemployment benefits help with basic expenses while you look for something new

Ugh, I remember when I got laid off it took forever to figure out all the paperwork. But yes, layoffs definitely qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington. Just make sure you file consistently every week once you start.

Quick update on the Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier - I ended up using them again when I had questions about my job search log. Really worth it if you get stuck and can't reach Washington ESD directly. The phone system there is just impossible most days.

Same boat here - tech layoffs are happening everywhere right now. Filed my claim 2 weeks ago and got approved pretty quickly. The hardest part is staying motivated for the job search when you know the market is tough.

Pro tip: start organizing your job search activities from day one. Washington ESD can audit your job search log and you need to be able to prove you did the required activities. I use a simple spreadsheet to track everything.

Been there with layoffs. It's scary at first but unemployment benefits really do help bridge the gap. Just follow the rules, file every week, and keep looking for work. You'll get through this.

One more thing - if your claim gets held up in adjudication for any reason, that's when you'll really want to be able to reach someone at Washington ESD. I had a minor issue with my separation date and it delayed everything by weeks until I could get it sorted out over the phone.