Can you get unemployment from a temp job in Washington state?

Yes, you can absolutely file for unemployment if you worked temp jobs! The key is that you were an employee of the temp agency, not an independent contractor. As long as they were taking taxes out of your paychecks and you have W-2s, you should qualify.

I filed after my temp job ended and got approved no problem. Just make sure you're available for work and actively looking - don't just wait for the agency to call you back.

The temp agency situation can be tricky with Washington ESD sometimes. If you're having trouble getting through to clarify your employment status, I used claimyr.com recently and it was super helpful. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

wait i thought temp workers couldnt get unemployment?? this is news to me. i've been avoiding filing because i figured id get denied

I work temp jobs all the time and file for UI between assignments regularly. The only thing to watch out for is if the agency considers you on 'standby' status - that can affect your eligibility.

Been there! Filed after my temp assignment ended and Washington ESD approved me within a week. Just be honest about your work history and availability.

The Washington ESD system is so confusing for temp work situations. I had to call like 20 times before I got someone who could explain how it works with staffing agencies.

Just want to add that you need to meet the minimum earnings requirement too. If you only worked temp jobs for a short time, you might not have enough wages in your base period.

File ASAP! Even if there's some question about your eligibility, it's better to apply and let Washington ESD make the determination rather than assume you don't qualify.

I was in the exact same situation last year - temp worker through an agency, assignment ended with no new placement. Got approved for benefits no problem. The important thing is being available for work, not just waiting around for the agency.

one thing to watch out for - if you turn down assignments from the agency while on unemployment, that could affect your benefits. washington esd considers that refusing suitable work

The whole temp worker thing confused me too when I first filed. Turns out it doesn't matter if your assignments were short-term as long as you were a legitimate employee.

Washington ESD has gotten better about handling temp worker claims over the years. Used to be more complicated but now they understand how staffing agencies work.

Make sure when you file that you list your reason for separation correctly. Since your assignment ended (not that you quit), that should be coded properly in the system.

I've been doing temp work for years and file for UI regularly between assignments. Never had any major issues as long as I'm honest about my situation and availability.

Don't forget you'll need to do weekly claims and report any work you do, even if it's just a day assignment here and there.

The job search requirement applies to temp workers too. You can't just rely on the staffing agency - you need to actively look for other opportunities and document them.

Good luck with your claim! Temp workers definitely have rights to unemployment benefits. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Just wanted to share my experience - filed after temp work ended and the whole process went smoothly. Washington ESD seems pretty familiar with how temp agencies operate these days.

One last tip - keep all your pay stubs and any documentation from the temp agency. Washington ESD might want to verify your employment history.

I went through something similar about 6 months ago! Worked temp assignments for almost a year before filing for UI when work dried up. The key thing Washington ESD looks at is whether you were an actual employee (W-2) vs contractor (1099). Since you mentioned they took taxes out, you should be totally fine. I'd recommend filing sooner rather than later since there's usually a waiting period anyway. Also, don't stress too much about the application - the online system walks you through everything step by step.

I'm in a very similar situation right now! Just had my temp assignment end last week and I've been hesitating to file because I wasn't sure if temp workers qualified. This thread is so helpful - I had no idea that working through a staffing agency still counted as regular employment for UI purposes. I think I've been overthinking this whole thing. My agency has been pretty upfront that they don't have anything immediately available, so it sounds like I should definitely apply rather than just waiting around hoping something opens up. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it's really encouraging to hear from people who've successfully filed after temp work!