Can you get unemployment if the company shuts down - Washington ESD eligibility?

Yes, you're definitely eligible for unemployment benefits when your company shuts down permanently. This is considered an involuntary separation which qualifies you for Washington ESD benefits. You should file your claim the week after your last day of work, not before. The closure itself doesn't affect your eligibility - you'll still need to meet the same base period earnings requirements and be able and available for work.

Same thing happened to me last year when our plant closed. Filed right away and got approved within a week. Make sure you have your pay stubs ready and know your start date.

Company closures are actually one of the clearest cases for unemployment eligibility. You won't face any adjudication issues since there's no question about why you're separated from work. Just make sure to file your weekly claims on time and keep track of your job search activities once that requirement kicks in.

I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I needed to ask questions about my claim. Spent hours on hold. Recently discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually reach an agent by phone. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Might be worth checking out if you run into issues.

Sorry about your job situation. Company shutdowns are the worst because there's usually no advance warning. At least with unemployment you'll have some income while job hunting.

One thing to remember - when you file, you can backdate your claim to the Sunday of the week you became unemployed. So if your last day is on a Friday, your claim can start that Sunday. Don't miss out on those first few days of benefits.

The Washington ESD system is actually pretty straightforward for company closures. Much easier than when people get fired or quit. You shouldn't have any problems as long as you worked enough hours in your base period.

File online at secure.esd.wa.gov when the time comes. Way easier than trying to call in your claim. The online system walks you through everything step by step.

Ugh, this is my worst fear. Been hearing rumors about layoffs at my company too. How much notice did they give you?

Make sure to also look into any severance pay or continuation of benefits your company might offer. Sometimes that affects when your unemployment starts or how much you get.

Company closures are actually pretty common right now. Don't feel bad about filing for unemployment - you paid into the system and this is exactly what it's for.

Another tip - start thinking about your job search strategy now. While company closure claims are straightforward, you'll still need to meet the work search requirements once they kick in. Having a plan ready will make the transition smoother.

Just went through this myself 6 months ago. The hardest part was actually getting through to someone at Washington ESD when I had questions about my claim status. That Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier really helped - got me connected to an actual person instead of sitting on hold forever.

The Washington ESD website has a really good FAQ section about company closures and mass layoffs. Might be worth reading through before you file just to familiarize yourself with the process.

Don't forget to file your weekly claims every single week once your claim is approved. Even if you're not sure about something, file anyway and ask questions later. Missing a week can cause delays.

Really sorry this happened to you. Company shutdowns are so stressful even when you know unemployment benefits will help. Take care of yourself during this transition.

One last thing - keep all your employment records organized. Pay stubs, offer letters, any documentation about the closure. You probably won't need most of it but it's better to have everything just in case.

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington is pretty decent compared to other states. You should be able to get by while you look for your next job.

I've been following this thread and wanted to add - if you run into any snags with Washington ESD during the process, that Claimyr service people mentioned really does work. Used it myself when my claim was delayed and couldn't get through on the phone. The video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ shows exactly how it works.

Washington state has some of the better unemployment protections in the country. You should be fine as long as you follow the rules and file everything on time.

Best of luck with everything! Company closures are tough but it sounds like you're being smart about planning ahead. This community has given you great advice.