Do you get unemployment if you get laid off in Washington - need to know my options

Thank you! Do I need to wait until I'm actually laid off to apply or can I file ahead of time?

You need to wait until your actual last day of work. You can't file a claim while you're still employed, even if you know a layoff is coming.

What are weekly claims? Is that different from the initial application?

Yeah, after you file your initial claim you have to file a weekly claim every week to get paid. It's like checking in to say you're still unemployed and looking for work.

What counts as a job search contact? Just applying for jobs?

Applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, even some online training courses can count. Just make sure you document everything with dates and details.

How much does that cost? Seems like you shouldn't have to pay to talk to a government agency.

I was skeptical too but honestly worth it when you need answers and can't get through on your own. Way better than spending days trying to call.

What kind of paperwork do they need exactly?

You'll need your employer's name and address, your supervisor's name, your last day worked, and the reason for separation. If you get a separation notice from your employer, keep that too.

How long did it take for you to start getting payments?

Like 6 weeks because my claim went into adjudication. They had to verify my employment history or something. Most people get approved faster though.

That's why it's so important to file right away. Even if there are delays, your claim will be backdated to when you first filed.

It's definitely a lack of work situation. They're cutting our whole department due to budget issues.

Perfect, that should be straightforward then. Make sure your employer codes it correctly when they respond to Washington ESD's inquiry.

Oh wow, I didn't know that. How much do they withhold?

It's optional but they can withhold 10% for federal taxes. State taxes aren't withheld so you might owe Washington state taxes too depending on your total income.

I was making about $50k annually. Any idea what that would translate to in weekly benefits?

Rough estimate would be maybe $400-500 per week but it really depends on when you worked and how your earnings were distributed across quarters.

Good to know! Is there anything else I should set up ahead of time to make the process smoother?

Create your SecureAccess Washington account if you don't have one already. That's what you'll use to access your unemployment account online.

Was she able to get her questions answered quickly that way?

Yeah she said they got her connected to an actual person at Washington ESD within like 30 minutes instead of the hours she spent trying to call on her own.

I feel your frustration but hang in there. The phone lines are definitely overloaded.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr. Couldn't deal with the constant busy signals and dropped calls anymore.

Thanks for mentioning that! I do need to figure out the health insurance situation too.

You usually have 60 days to elect COBRA after your coverage ends. It's expensive but might be worth it depending on your situation.

What caused the flag the second time? Was it something you did differently?

I think it was because I had worked for multiple employers in my base period and they needed to verify all the employment. Just bad luck really.

This is super helpful, thank you! I'm feeling much more prepared now.

Great summary! I'd also add - be patient with the process and don't panic if there are delays. Most claims do get approved eventually.

Severance can affect when your unemployment benefits start. If it's paid as a lump sum it might not delay benefits, but if it's paid out over time it could. You'd need to report it when you file.

Good point, I should ask about severance too when they give us more details about the layoffs.

That's interesting! Are those programs free?

Many of them are free or low cost. It's worth exploring especially if you want to learn new skills while you're looking for work.

How long do you have to file an appeal if needed?

I think it's 30 days from the date of the determination notice. But hopefully you won't need to worry about that with a straightforward layoff situation.

Glad we could help! Come back and update us on how it goes.

Good luck with everything! Remember to file that claim as soon as you're officially laid off.