Can you get unemployment if you're laid off in Washington state?

Thank you! Do I need to wait until my actual last day or can I file before that?

You should file your claim the week you become unemployed, not before. Filing too early can cause complications with your claim.

What if you haven't worked the full year? I was only at my job for 8 months.

They look at your base year which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters. If you haven't worked enough in that period, they might use an alternate base year.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already going to be tight on money.

It was worth it for me to avoid the endless calling. Much better than spending entire days trying to reach them.

Never heard of this but honestly sounds like it could be helpful. The Washington ESD phone system is terrible.

What kind of job search activities count? Just applying for jobs?

Job applications, networking events, skills training, career counseling sessions. You need to log at least 3 activities per week and they need to be reasonable for your field.

I feel you. The whole system seems designed to make you give up.

What kind of verification are they asking for? Sometimes it's just a standard identity verification process.

They wanted my separation notice, then my pay stubs, then some form about my work history. Every time I submit something they ask for something else.

What happens if you forget to file a weekly claim?

You can usually file it late but there might be a delay in payment. It's better to set a reminder and file every week on schedule.

If everything goes smoothly, usually 2-3 weeks. But if they need to verify anything or if there are issues, it can take much longer.

Mine took 6 weeks because they had to verify my identity. Make sure all your information is exactly correct when you file.

6 weeks?! That's terrifying. I really hope mine goes faster.

Should I ask HR for anything specific when I get laid off?

Definitely get a copy of your separation notice and ask them to confirm the reason for separation. Sometimes there can be confusion about voluntary vs involuntary.

How much can you typically expect to get?

It depends on your previous wages but the maximum weekly benefit amount changes each year. Washington ESD will calculate your specific amount based on your earnings history.

What does adjudication mean exactly?

Adjudication means they're reviewing your claim to determine if you're eligible. Could be verifying your work history, separation reason, or identity.

In my case they needed to verify some information with my previous employer. Took forever but eventually got sorted out.

Is that separate from regular unemployment or does it affect your benefits?

It's additional support that can sometimes extend your benefits if you're in an approved training program. Worth looking into if you want to switch careers.

Yeah they can audit your job search log and ask for proof of your activities.

That makes sense though. The benefits are supposed to help while you're looking for work.

The website can be slow sometimes but yeah it's usually more reliable than calling.

True, but when you do need to talk to someone, that's when services like Claimyr become really valuable. Beats sitting on hold for hours.

Thanks everyone. This has been really helpful. I feel much more prepared now.

Good luck! Remember to file your claim as soon as you're unemployed and keep detailed records of everything.