Can you get Washington ESD unemployment for involuntary termination - need guidance
I was let go from my job last week due to company restructuring and I'm wondering if I can file for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD. It wasn't my fault - they eliminated my entire department. I've never filed for unemployment before so I'm not sure if involuntary termination qualifies or what I need to do. Has anyone been through this situation? What documentation do I need and how long does the process take?
53 comments


Zoe Papadakis
Yes, involuntary termination due to layoffs or company restructuring definitely qualifies for Washington ESD unemployment benefits. You should file your claim as soon as possible since there's a waiting period. You'll need your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment information for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates of employment.
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Andre Rousseau
•Thank you! Do I need anything from my former employer like a termination letter?
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Zoe Papadakis
•A separation notice or termination letter helps but isn't required. Washington ESD will contact your employer directly to verify the reason for separation.
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Jamal Carter
File online at esd.wa.gov, it's way faster than calling. Make sure you have all your employer info ready because the system will ask for details about every job you had in the past year and a half.
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Andre Rousseau
•Good to know, I'll gather all that info first before starting the application.
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AstroAdventurer
I went through this exact situation 6 months ago when my company downsized. Filed online and it took about 2 weeks to get approved. The hardest part was actually getting through to someone at Washington ESD when I had questions about my claim status. If you run into issues reaching them by phone, I found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.
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Andre Rousseau
•That's really helpful, I'll bookmark that just in case I need it. How much did you end up getting per week?
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AstroAdventurer
•It's based on your earnings from the last year. I was getting about $520 per week which covered most of my basic expenses while job hunting.
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Mei Liu
definitely qualifies!! involuntary termination is like the main reason unemployment exists lol. just dont wait too long to file because you lose benefits for every week you dont claim
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Andre Rousseau
•I'll file this weekend for sure, don't want to miss out on any benefits.
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Liam O'Sullivan
When you file, make sure to select 'lack of work' or 'layoff' as your separation reason since it was company restructuring. This helps ensure there won't be any issues with your eligibility. You'll also need to register with WorkSource Washington as part of the job search requirement.
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Andre Rousseau
•What exactly do I need to do with WorkSource Washington? Is that separate from the unemployment filing?
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Liam O'Sullivan
•Yes it's separate. You'll create a profile on WorkSourceWA.com and need to document your job search activities. You have to apply for at least 3 jobs per week and keep records.
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Amara Chukwu
•Wait is it 3 jobs per week? I thought it was 2 jobs per week in Washington?
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Liam O'Sullivan
•It's 3 job search activities per week, which can include applications, networking events, career fairs, etc. Not necessarily 3 applications but 3 activities total.
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Giovanni Conti
Been there done that. Company restructuring is totally covered under Washington ESD. Just be honest about everything on your application and don't overthink it. The system is designed for situations exactly like yours.
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Andre Rousseau
•That's reassuring, I was worried there might be some technicality that would disqualify me.
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
Make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still being processed. I made the mistake of waiting and lost out on benefits for those weeks.
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Andre Rousseau
•Good point, I'll make sure to do the weekly filings right away.
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Jamal Carter
•Yes this is super important! Even if your claim shows pending you still need to file those weekly claims or you can't get paid for those weeks later.
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Amara Chukwu
I'm in a similar situation - got laid off due to budget cuts. How long after filing can you expect to start receiving payments? I'm worried about my rent payment next month.
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Zoe Papadakis
•There's typically a one week waiting period, then if your claim is approved without issues, payments usually start within 2-3 weeks of filing.
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Amara Chukwu
•Thanks, that helps me plan my budget better.
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NeonNova
Just went through this process myself last month. The online application is pretty straightforward but have your tax returns handy because they ask about your earnings. Also be prepared for the job search requirements - you have to actively look for work and document it.
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Andre Rousseau
•Do they check up on the job search activities or is it mostly on the honor system?
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NeonNova
•They can audit your job search log at any time so definitely keep good records. I use a spreadsheet to track applications, dates, company names, and contact info.
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Dylan Campbell
The Washington ESD system can be overwhelming at first but involuntary termination due to restructuring is one of the clearest cases for approval. Just make sure all your information is accurate and complete.
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Andre Rousseau
•I'll double check everything before submitting, thanks for the reminder.
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Sofia Hernandez
ugh the washington esd website is so confusing though. took me forever to figure out how to file my weekly claims. why cant they make it more user friendly??
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Zoe Papadakis
•I agree the interface could be better. The key is just taking it step by step and not rushing through the forms.
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Sofia Hernandez
•yeah i guess. just frustrated because i need these benefits and the website makes it harder than it needs to be
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AstroAdventurer
One more tip - if you need to speak with someone at Washington ESD about your claim and can't get through on the regular phone lines, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier was a lifesaver. Worth checking out if you hit any roadblocks.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•How does that work exactly? Do they just call for you or something?
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AstroAdventurer
•They help you get connected to an actual Washington ESD agent when the phone lines are busy. Much better than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.
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Ava Thompson
I was laid off in a similar restructuring situation and got approved within 10 days. The key is being clear that it was due to lack of work and not any performance issues. Keep all your documentation organized.
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Andre Rousseau
•That's a relief to hear it went smoothly for you. Did you have to provide any special documentation for the restructuring?
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Ava Thompson
•No special docs needed. Washington ESD verified everything directly with my former employer. Just make sure your employer has the correct information about your separation.
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Miguel Ramos
been on unemployment twice due to layoffs and both times it was pretty straightforward. involuntary termination is exactly what the system is for. dont stress too much about it
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Andre Rousseau
•Thanks, that's reassuring to hear from someone with experience.
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Zainab Ibrahim
Make sure you understand the difference between being laid off and being fired for cause. Layoffs due to restructuring are covered but if you were terminated for performance or misconduct that's different. Sounds like your situation is clearly a layoff though.
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Andre Rousseau
•Definitely a layoff - they eliminated the entire department due to budget constraints, nothing to do with my performance.
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Zainab Ibrahim
•Perfect, then you should have no issues getting approved. Washington ESD is pretty good about processing straightforward layoff cases.
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StarSailor
I had to use Claimyr when my claim got stuck in adjudication for weeks with no explanation. Sometimes Washington ESD needs additional verification even for clear-cut layoff cases. Having a way to actually talk to someone made all the difference in getting it resolved quickly.
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Andre Rousseau
•Good to know there are options if things get complicated. Hopefully mine will be straightforward.
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StarSailor
•I'm sure it will be, but it's nice to have a backup plan just in case.
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Connor O'Brien
Start gathering all your employment info now - employer addresses, supervisor names, exact dates, etc. The application asks for a lot of details and it's easier if you have everything ready.
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Andre Rousseau
•I'll start making a list of all that information today.
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Yara Sabbagh
Washington ESD has gotten much better at processing claims quickly compared to a few years ago. Involuntary termination cases usually move through the system without delays unless there are complications.
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Andre Rousseau
•That's good to hear. I was worried about long delays based on some older posts I read online.
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Yara Sabbagh
•Those were mostly from 2020-2021 when the system was overwhelmed. Things are much more manageable now.
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Keisha Johnson
Remember that you can appeal if your claim gets denied for any reason, but with a clear layoff due to company restructuring you shouldn't need to worry about that. Just file as soon as possible and be thorough with your information.
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Andre Rousseau
•Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about filing now.
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Zoe Papadakis
•Good luck with your claim! Feel free to come back here if you run into any issues during the process.
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