Can you collect unemployment if your company closes in Washington?

Yes, you can definitely collect unemployment benefits when your company closes! This is actually one of the clearest cases for eligibility since it's an involuntary job loss through no fault of your own. You should apply through Washington ESD as soon as possible after your last day of work.

Same thing happened to me when my company went under last year. Filed my claim right away and it was pretty straightforward since there was no question about why I lost my job.

Company closures are usually the easiest unemployment claims to process since there's clear documentation and no dispute about the reason for separation. Make sure you get a letter from your employer stating the business closure date - Washington ESD may ask for verification.

Just went through this exact situation 3 months ago when my company suddenly closed. I was panicking about calling Washington ESD because the phone lines are always busy, but I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

ugh this is so stressful, i'm going through the same thing right now. company told us friday they're closing in 2 weeks. i have NO idea what to do about health insurance, rent, anything...

Make sure you understand the difference between a temporary closure and permanent closure. If there's ANY chance the company might reopen, that could affect your claim status.

Don't forget about your final paycheck and any accrued vacation time! Make sure you get everything you're owed before filing your claim.

This is exactly why I always tell people to have an emergency fund... you never know when your company might just disappear overnight.

One important thing - when you file your Washington ESD claim, you'll need to provide your employer's information. Since they're closing, get their FEIN (federal tax ID) and the main office address before everyone scatters. This makes the application process smoother.

Been through 3 company closures in my career (lovely, right?). Each time I qualified for full unemployment benefits. The key is applying quickly and being ready to start your job search requirements right away once approved.

Just want to second the recommendation for Claimyr if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD. I used them when I had questions about my benefit amount and it was so much easier than trying to get through on my own.

Make sure you have all your documents ready when you apply - Social Security card, driver's license, and your most recent pay stubs. Having everything organized makes the online application go much faster.

Does anyone know if there are any special programs for mass layoffs when companies close? I feel like I heard something about that...

I'm so sorry this is happening to you! The same thing happened to my brother last year. The unemployment benefits really helped bridge the gap while he found a new job. You'll get through this!

PROTIP: Start networking and job searching NOW, even before your last day. The earlier you start, the better chance you have of landing something quickly.

Washington ESD has gotten much better at processing claims quickly over the past couple years. Company closure cases like yours typically don't get stuck in adjudication like other more complicated situations.

One last tip - if you have any trouble with the Washington ESD website or need to speak to someone urgently, that Claimyr service mentioned earlier really does work. I was skeptical at first but it saved me when I needed to resolve an issue with my weekly claim filing.

You've got this! Company closures are actually one of the most straightforward unemployment situations. Just file your claim on time and keep up with your weekly certifications. The benefits will help you get back on your feet.