Do you pay into Washington ESD unemployment - confused about how this works

That's what I thought but wasn't sure. So if I get laid off I can still file with Washington ESD even though I didn't pay in directly?

Exactly right. Your employer has been paying into the system on your behalf based on your wages. That's what makes you eligible for benefits if you lose your job through no fault of your own.

Wait really? I always assumed we all paid into it like Social Security. That actually makes me feel better about potentially filing a claim.

Yep, totally different from Social Security. You've earned those benefits through your work history even though you didn't directly pay premiums.

How much did that cost? I'm worried about spending money when I might be unemployed soon.

It's worth checking out their site for current info. For me it was way better than spending hours trying to get through on my own when I needed to resolve some issues with my claim.

Never heard of that service but Washington ESD phones are definitely impossible to get through to. Might be worth it just to save the headache.

That makes sense. So companies with lots of layoffs basically subsidize the system more than stable employers?

Exactly. It's called experience rating - companies with higher turnover pay more into the Washington ESD fund.

Same here! I was convinced I was missing something obvious on my pay stub.

lol yeah it's weird compared to other states where employees do pay in. Washington is actually pretty employee-friendly that way.

What exactly is the base period? I keep seeing that term but don't understand it.

It's the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. Washington ESD looks at your wages during that time to determine your weekly benefit amount.

And if you don't have enough wages in the base period, they might use an alternate base period which includes more recent work.

It's actually a form of insurance for both sides. Employers get protection from wrongful termination lawsuits in exchange for paying into the system, and workers get income support when they lose jobs.

I guess that's one way to look at it. Still feels weird that I don't pay anything but can collect benefits.

Think of it as part of your compensation package. Your employer pays UI taxes as a cost of employing you, just like they pay their portion of Social Security taxes.

Employers can contest your claim if they believe you were fired for misconduct or quit voluntarily. But they can't prevent you from filing - that's between you and Washington ESD.

Ok that makes sense. So even if they contest it, I can still file and let Washington ESD decide?

Exactly. File anyway and let the adjudication process work it out. Don't let an employer intimidate you out of filing if you think you're eligible.

What kind of records should I keep? Just pay stubs?

Pay stubs, W-2s, any documentation of your work history and wages. Also keep records of how you lost your job in case there's any dispute.

Interesting. So a tech company might pay different rates than a restaurant?

Potentially yes, especially if they have different layoff patterns. The system is designed to make sure the costs fall on the employers who use it most.

Was it hard to use? I'm not super tech savvy.

Super easy, you just give them your info and they handle the calling. Way better than hitting redial for hours.

Oh! That might be what I was seeing. I knew there was some kind of state program deduction.

Yeah, PFML is the paid family leave program. Totally different from unemployment insurance but both administered by Washington ESD.

Thanks for clarifying that. I always get those two mixed up.

That actually makes a lot of sense. Thanks for breaking it down simply.

Yep, it's essentially insurance that your employer buys to protect their workers. You benefit from it without paying premiums directly.

Good point. I'll need to keep that in mind if I end up filing.

And you have to report any work you do while claiming, even if it's just a few hours. Washington ESD is pretty strict about that.

That's actually pretty clever policy design. Makes companies think twice about layoffs.

Exactly. And it means the businesses that create the most unemployment claims also contribute the most to funding the system.

That's exactly how I feel. Like I've somehow earned it even though I didn't pay in directly.

You absolutely have earned it through your work history. The employer contributions are essentially part of your compensation package.

How does that even work? They just call until someone picks up?

Pretty much. They handle all the waiting and redialing, then connect you when they get through to a real person. Way better than doing it yourself.

Perfect summary, thanks! That clears up all my confusion.

Glad this thread was helpful. It's honestly one of the most misunderstood aspects of the unemployment system.

Thanks to everyone who responded. This really helped me understand how the system works.

No problem! Hope you don't need to use the information but good to know how it works just in case.