Can you collect unemployment if you volunteer to be laid off Washington ESD eligibility rules

I went through this exact situation 2 years ago with my employer. Washington ESD approved my claim because even though I volunteered, it was still considered an involuntary separation since the company initiated the layoff process. The key is that you didn't quit - you responded to their request to reduce workforce.

You should be fine for UI benefits. Voluntary layoffs are different from quitting your job. The employer is still the one making the decision to eliminate positions, you're just helping them choose who goes. Make sure you get documentation about the layoff being company-initiated.

I'm in a similar boat right now - my company just announced voluntary layoffs yesterday. Been trying to call Washington ESD all morning to ask about this but can't get through. The phone just rings and rings or I get a busy signal. Anyone have luck reaching them recently?

DEFINITELY eligible for unemployment! I volunteered for a layoff in 2023 and Washington ESD had no issues with my claim. They understand the difference between quitting and accepting a layoff offer. Just be honest on your application about the circumstances.

wait this doesn't sound right to me... if you VOLUNTEER doesn't that mean you chose to leave? seems like washington esd would consider that quitting

Been there! Got laid off voluntarily in 2022 and collected full unemployment benefits. Washington ESD sees it as involuntary separation because the company decided to reduce staff. You just helped them choose who to let go. Make sure you file your claim right away after your last day.

This is exactly why I hate dealing with Washington ESD - everything is so confusing and you can never get clear answers! Why should we have to guess about our eligibility? The system is broken.

Just went through this process last month. Filed my claim online and had no problems. Washington ESD didn't even question the voluntary layoff aspect. Got approved within a week and started receiving benefits. The key is being honest about the circumstances when you file.

Make sure you understand the difference between a voluntary layoff and a voluntary quit. Layoff = company eliminates position, Quit = you decide to leave. Even if you volunteer for the layoff, the company is still eliminating jobs. You'll be fine for unemployment.

I used Claimyr when I needed to speak with Washington ESD about my claim status and it was a game changer. Instead of calling for hours and getting nowhere, they helped me connect directly with an ESD representative. Really worth it if you need to talk to someone there about your specific situation.

Been collecting unemployment for 8 weeks now after a voluntary layoff. No issues at all with Washington ESD. They processed my claim normally and I've been getting weekly benefits. Don't overthink it - voluntary layoffs definitely qualify.

One thing to watch out for - if you get severance pay, it might affect when your unemployment benefits start. Washington ESD has rules about severance and how it impacts your claim timing. Check on that when you file.

honestly the whole unemployment system is a nightmare to navigate. even when you qualify for benefits they make it so hard to actually get them. spent 3 months fighting with washington esd over my claim last year

Voluntary layoffs are 100% eligible for unemployment benefits in Washington state. I work in HR and we deal with this all the time. As long as the employer initiated the workforce reduction, employees who volunteer for layoff can collect UI. The 'voluntary' part just refers to who gets selected, not whether the layoff itself was voluntary.

Just a heads up - when you file your claim, be prepared for potential delays if Washington ESD decides to investigate the voluntary aspect. My friend had his claim held up for 3 weeks while they verified the layoff circumstances. Not saying it will happen but be prepared.

Pro tip: Keep all the emails and documentation about the voluntary layoff announcement from your employer. Washington ESD might ask for proof that this was a company-initiated reduction and not you choosing to quit. Better to have it ready than scramble for it later.

Has anyone used the new Washington ESD online system for filing claims? Wondering if it's easier than the old system for explaining voluntary layoff situations.

Bottom line: yes you can collect unemployment if you volunteer for a layoff. It's still considered involuntary separation because the employer made the decision to reduce workforce. File your claim as soon as possible after your last day and be honest about the circumstances. You should have no problems with Washington ESD approval.

One more success story - took a voluntary layoff package in January and have been collecting unemployment since February. Washington ESD processed my claim without any issues. The voluntary aspect didn't matter at all to them since the company was eliminating positions. Go for it if the severance package looks good!

I'm currently facing a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My company just announced voluntary layoffs yesterday and I was hesitant about volunteering because I wasn't sure about UI eligibility. Reading all these success stories from people who went through the exact same thing with Washington ESD gives me confidence that I can accept the package and still qualify for benefits. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's clear that voluntary layoffs are treated as involuntary separations since the employer is the one eliminating positions. Going to talk to HR tomorrow about the details!

Based on all the responses here, it's clear that you'll be eligible for unemployment benefits even if you volunteer for the layoff. The consensus from people who've actually gone through this with Washington ESD is that voluntary layoffs are still considered involuntary separations since your employer is the one eliminating positions. I'd recommend taking the severance package if it looks good - you can have both the severance pay and then transition to unemployment benefits afterward. Just make sure to keep all the documentation about the company-initiated workforce reduction and file your UI claim promptly after your last day. Sounds like a win-win situation if the severance is decent!

I'm a former Washington ESD claims examiner and can confirm what everyone here is saying - voluntary layoffs absolutely qualify for unemployment benefits. During my time there, we processed hundreds of these cases and the key factor we looked at was whether the employer initiated the workforce reduction, not whether the employee volunteered to be selected. The legal distinction is clear: layoff = employer eliminates position due to business needs, quit = employee chooses to leave for personal reasons. When you file your claim, select "laid off" as your separation reason and explain in the comments that you were selected from volunteers during a company-initiated downsizing. Keep documentation from your employer about the layoff announcement and you should have no issues with approval.