Can you collect unemployment on furlough in Washington state?

Yes, you can absolutely file for unemployment benefits while on furlough in Washington! A furlough is considered a temporary layoff, which makes you eligible for UI benefits. You're not working and not getting paid, so Washington ESD treats this as unemployment even though you technically still have a job.

Been there! Filed for UI during a 4-week furlough last year and got approved. The process was pretty straightforward - Washington ESD didn't make any distinction between furlough and regular layoff on my claim.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone, you might want to check out Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a service that helps people get through to actual agents instead of dealing with the endless busy signals. I saw their demo video (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ) and it looks pretty useful for situations like this where you need to talk to someone about your specific circumstances.

Make sure you understand the job search requirements though. Even on furlough you still need to be available for work and might need to do job searches depending on how long your furlough lasts. Washington ESD has specific rules about this.

Just file as soon as your furlough starts! Don't wait because there's a waiting week and you want to get the process started. I made that mistake during my furlough and lost out on benefits I could have gotten earlier.

UGH the whole system is so confusing! Why can't they just have clear answers about stuff like this?? I've been trying to figure out my own situation for weeks and every person I talk to gives me different information.

One thing to keep in mind - when you go back to work after the furlough, you need to report that on your weekly claim. Don't forget to close out your unemployment claim or you could end up with an overpayment issue later.

My sister went through this exact same thing last year during her furlough. She was able to collect benefits the whole time and it really helped her get through financially. The key is being upfront about the temporary nature of the layoff.

Actually, I used Claimyr when I had issues during my furlough claim and it was worth it. Got through to someone at Washington ESD in like 20 minutes instead of the usual 3+ hours of trying. Made the whole process way less stressful.

Don't forget to keep track of your furlough documentation too. Washington ESD might ask for proof of the furlough dates or other details from your employer.

The bottom line is yes, furlough definitely qualifies for unemployment benefits in Washington. It's basically a temporary layoff even though you have a job to return to. Just be honest about your situation and you should be fine.

Just to add - make sure your employer knows you're filing for unemployment during the furlough. Some companies are okay with it, others might have specific procedures they want you to follow.

Been on furlough twice in the past few years and collected UI both times. Washington ESD has gotten pretty good at handling these situations, especially after all the pandemic stuff. Just file online and be patient with the process.

Quick question - do you still get the same weekly benefit amount during furlough as you would for regular unemployment?

One more tip - if your furlough gets extended beyond the original 6 weeks, make sure to update Washington ESD about the change. They need to know if your return-to-work date changes.

Honestly, I think furloughs are better than regular layoffs in some ways because at least you know you have a job to go back to. Takes some of the stress out of the unemployment situation.

I tried calling Washington ESD about my furlough situation and literally spent 4 hours on hold before giving up. The phone system is absolutely broken. Ended up using Claimyr and got through immediately - wish I'd known about it sooner!

Make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even during the furlough! I know it seems obvious but some people forget and then have gaps in their benefits.

The whole furlough situation sucks but at least Washington ESD makes it relatively easy to file for benefits. Just be prepared for some waiting time to get everything processed.

I went through a similar furlough situation last year and successfully collected unemployment benefits the entire time. The key thing to remember is that Washington ESD considers furlough as a temporary separation from work, so you definitely qualify. When you file your initial claim, make sure to clearly explain that you're on a temporary furlough with a scheduled return date - this helps them process your claim correctly. Also, keep all documentation from your employer about the furlough dates and circumstances. The process was pretty straightforward for me, though like others mentioned, getting through on the phone can be challenging if you need to speak with someone directly. File as soon as your furlough starts to avoid losing any potential benefits!

I actually just went through this exact situation a few months ago! My employer furloughed our entire department for 8 weeks, and I was able to collect full unemployment benefits through Washington ESD the whole time. The application process treats furlough the same as any temporary layoff - you just need to be clear about your situation when filing. One thing I'd recommend is filing online rather than trying to call, since the online system worked smoothly for me and you avoid the phone wait times everyone's mentioned. Also, make sure you understand what happens with your health benefits during the furlough - that was something I had to figure out separately from the unemployment piece. The financial support really helped bridge the gap, and going back to work was seamless. You've got this!

I'm going through a furlough situation right now too and this thread has been so helpful! My company just announced a 5-week furlough starting in two weeks, and I was panicking about how to handle the financial gap. Reading all these success stories about collecting unemployment benefits during furlough in Washington is such a relief. I'm definitely going to file online as soon as the furlough officially starts, and I'll make sure to keep all the documentation from my employer. It's also good to know about services like Claimyr in case I run into any issues with the phone system. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it makes this whole situation feel much more manageable knowing others have navigated it successfully!

I've been through a similar furlough situation myself and want to echo what everyone else has said - you absolutely can collect unemployment benefits during a furlough in Washington state! The process was surprisingly straightforward when I filed last year. One thing I'd add is to make sure you save a copy of any written notice your employer gives you about the furlough dates and circumstances. Washington ESD may ask for this documentation during the application process or later for verification. Also, don't stress too much about getting every detail perfect on your initial application - you can always provide additional information later if needed. The most important thing is to get your claim started as soon as the furlough begins so you don't miss out on any potential benefits. Best of luck with everything!