Can you get unemployment if laid off in Washington - need help understanding eligibility

Yes, you can definitely get unemployment benefits if you were laid off through no fault of your own. Since you mentioned it was downsizing and not performance-related, that should qualify you for regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits through Washington ESD. You'll need to file your claim online at esd.wa.gov as soon as possible.

Being laid off is actually one of the most straightforward reasons to qualify for unemployment benefits. Washington state considers layoffs as 'involuntary separation' which means you're eligible as long as you meet the wage requirements. You need to have earned enough wages in your base period, which is typically the first four quarters of the last five completed quarters before you file.

I was in the same situation last year when my company did massive layoffs. Filed online with Washington ESD and it was pretty straightforward. Just make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still being processed. That was something I almost messed up.

One thing to keep in mind is that you'll have a one-week waiting period before you can receive benefits. So even if you file immediately, your first payable week will be the second week of your claim. Also, you'll need to actively look for work and keep a job search log once you start receiving benefits.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD by phone to ask questions about your claim, you might want to check out Claimyr. It's a service that helps people get connected to ESD agents without having to wait on hold forever. I found it really helpful when I had issues with my claim status. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Don't worry too much about the process - layoffs are pretty cut and dried for unemployment eligibility. Just file as soon as you can and make sure you're honest about everything. Washington ESD will verify with your former employer but since you said it was downsizing, there shouldn't be any issues.

been through this myself twice unfortunately lol. both times for layoffs and both times got approved no problem. the hardest part is just the waiting and dealing with all the paperwork. make sure u keep copies of everything u submit

You should also know that unemployment benefits are taxable income, so you might want to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or set aside money for tax time. I learned this the hard way and owed a bunch at tax time.

File ASAP! Don't wait thinking you might find another job quickly. Even if you do find work right away, you can always stop claiming benefits. But you can't backdate your claim to get benefits for weeks you didn't file.

The Washington ESD website has a pretty good step-by-step guide for filing your initial claim. I'd recommend reading through that before you start the application process. It'll save you time and help you avoid mistakes.

One more thing - if your employer offers any kind of severance package, that might affect when you can start collecting benefits. Washington ESD considers severance pay as wages, so there could be a delay depending on how it's structured.

Washington state is actually pretty good about unemployment benefits compared to some other states. The process is mostly online now which makes it easier, and the weekly benefit amounts are decent. You should be able to get through this period okay if you file right away.

If you run into any issues with your claim or need to speak to someone at Washington ESD, I had good luck using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual agent. Way better than sitting on hold for hours. They helped me resolve an issue with my weekly claims that I couldn't figure out on my own.

Make sure you understand the difference between 'able and available' requirements too. You need to be physically able to work and available for work to continue receiving benefits. If you have any medical issues or are planning to go back to school, that could affect your eligibility.

The whole process seems overwhelming at first but it's really not that bad once you get started. Just take it step by step and don't stress too much about making everything perfect. Washington ESD will let you know if they need additional information.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when my company laid off our entire department. Yes, you absolutely qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington since you were laid off through no fault of your own. The key thing is to file your claim online at esd.wa.gov TODAY - don't wait even another day. I made the mistake of waiting a few days thinking I might hear back from job applications, but you can't backdate claims. The process is actually pretty straightforward for layoffs compared to other types of job separations. You'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the past 18 months, and wage information. Since you worked full-time for 2 years, you should easily meet the wage requirements. Hang in there - the benefits will help bridge the gap while you look for your next opportunity!