Can you collect unemployment if you worked for a non profit organization in Washington state?

Yes, you can absolutely collect unemployment if you worked for a non-profit! Your friend is wrong about that. Non-profits in Washington state pay into the unemployment insurance system just like regular businesses. As long as you earned enough wages and meet the other eligibility requirements, you should be able to file a claim with Washington ESD.

The confusion probably comes from the fact that some religious organizations and very small nonprofits can choose not to participate in the unemployment system, but most regular nonprofits are required to pay unemployment taxes. Check your pay stubs - if you see 'SUI' or 'SUTA' deductions, that's state unemployment insurance being taken out.

I had trouble reaching Washington ESD when I needed to file after my nonprofit job ended. Kept getting busy signals and disconnected calls. Finally found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made the whole process so much easier than trying to call on my own.

File your claim as soon as possible! Don't wait. The sooner you file, the sooner your benefits can start. You can file online at secure.esd.wa.gov or through the unemployment application.

wait so ALL nonprofits pay unemployment taxes? even tiny ones? that seems like it would be a huge burden for small organizations

I worked for three different nonprofits over the years and collected unemployment after two of them when funding dried up. It's actually pretty common in the nonprofit sector unfortunately, especially for smaller organizations that depend on grants.

So confused about all this. Do I need to provide different documentation if I worked for a nonprofit vs a regular company when I file my claim?

The Washington ESD website has a whole section about nonprofit employees and unemployment benefits. Might be worth checking out if you want all the official details.

just wanted to say sorry about your job loss, funding cuts are the worst. Hope your unemployment claim goes smoothly and you find something new soon

One thing to keep in mind - make sure you meet all the job search requirements while collecting benefits. Washington ESD requires you to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities.

I had issues getting through to Washington ESD too when I filed. Ended up using Claimyr after seeing it mentioned here and it actually worked great. Got connected to an agent within like 20 minutes instead of calling for days and never getting through.

For what it's worth, I've worked in nonprofit HR and we definitely pay unemployment taxes. Your employer should have been withholding the employee portion from your paychecks too. Check your final pay stub to make sure everything looks right.

Make sure you file your weekly claims on time once your initial claim is processed. Missing those deadlines can cause problems with your benefits.

btw if your claim gets stuck in adjudication for some reason, that's when services like Claimyr really come in handy. Sometimes you need to talk to an actual person to get things moving and that's nearly impossible with the normal phone system.

Good luck with everything! Filing for unemployment is stressful but you should be fine if you worked for a regular nonprofit. The system isn't perfect but it does work when you meet the requirements.

I went through this exact same situation last year when the nonprofit I worked for lost their main grant funding. You're absolutely eligible for unemployment benefits - nonprofits are regular employers for unemployment purposes. The only thing I'd add is to make sure you have all your employment documentation ready when you file, including any severance or final pay information. Washington ESD will need to verify your wages and employment dates. Also, don't be discouraged if the online system seems slow or glitchy - it gets overwhelmed sometimes but your claim will go through. Hang in there!

I'm so sorry to hear about your job loss at the food bank - those funding cuts are devastating for both the organizations and the people they serve. Your friend is definitely wrong about nonprofit eligibility! I actually used to work in HR for a large nonprofit and can confirm that we absolutely paid into the unemployment insurance system. The key thing to look for on your pay stubs is that SUI (State Unemployment Insurance) deduction - if that was being taken out, you're covered. One tip I'd add is to gather all your employment documents before filing - your offer letter, any performance reviews, and especially your final separation notice. Having everything organized will make the process smoother. Also, don't stress too much about the online system being slow - it's notorious for that, but your claim will get processed. Food banks do such important work, and I hope you're able to find another position in the nonprofit sector soon!