Does employer pay unemployment after termination in Washington state?

Your employer doesn't directly pay your weekly unemployment benefits. In Washington state, employers pay unemployment insurance taxes to the state throughout the year based on their payroll. Washington ESD then uses these collected taxes to fund unemployment benefits for eligible workers. So while your employer contributed to the system, they're not writing you a check each week.

i think it depends on the company size or something? my last job was at a small restaurant and they definitely seemed worried about my unemployment claim affecting them somehow

The system works through employer contributions, but getting through to Washington ESD to understand your specific situation can be really frustrating. I spent weeks trying to call them about my claim status. Recently discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually reach ESD agents by phone. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made all the difference when I needed to verify my eligibility after a contested claim.

EMPLOYERS HATE PAYING UNEMPLOYMENT!!! They'll do anything to avoid it. My last boss tried to say I quit when I was clearly fired. Had to fight it for months. The whole system is rigged against workers.

Wait so if my employer pays higher taxes because of my claim, won't they be mad at me? I don't want to burn bridges in case I need a reference later. Should I even file for unemployment?

just file and don't worry about it. i've been on unemployment like 4 times and never had problems

To clarify the tax structure: Washington employers pay both state unemployment insurance (SUI) and federal unemployment tax (FUTA). The state portion varies by employer based on their claims history - new employers pay 2.7% on the first $62,500 of each employee's wages in 2025. Established employers can pay anywhere from 0.19% to 6.02% depending on their experience rating.

One thing people don't realize is that even if your employer contests your claim, you can still receive benefits during the adjudication process in most cases. Washington ESD will investigate and make a determination. If you were truly laid off and not fired for cause, you'll likely win the appeal.

my cousin works in HR and she says they only contest claims when someone was stealing or not showing up to work. regular layoffs they just accept because fighting it costs more than its worth

Important reminder: file your claim as soon as possible after termination. Benefits are only paid from the date you file, not from when you were actually laid off. Don't delay because you're worried about employer reactions.

Been through this whole process twice. First time I was terrified my employer would be upset. Turns out they barely noticed - it's just part of doing business for most companies. The unemployment system exists for exactly this reason.

So if I understand correctly, my employer already paid into the system all year, and now those taxes fund my benefits? It's not like they have to write a separate check for my specific claim?

honestly the whole thing is automated these days. file online, do your weekly claims, money shows up. unless there's some weird situation most people never even talk to anyone at ESD

Pro tip: keep detailed records of your termination - any emails, documentation about layoffs, your final paycheck stub, etc. Even if your employer doesn't contest, having this information readily available makes the process smoother if questions arise.

Just remember that even though employers don't pay directly, their unemployment tax rates go up if they have too many claims. So some will still fight legitimate claims to keep their rates down. It's all about money with these companies.

Bottom line for the original poster: file your claim, provide accurate information about your layoff, and don't worry about the employer payment aspect. The system is designed to support workers who lose jobs through no fault of their own. Your employer's financial obligations are separate from your right to benefits.

glad this helped! unemployment saved my butt when i got laid off last year. dont let anyone make you feel bad about using it

One final note - if you do run into any complications with your claim or need to speak with Washington ESD about your specific situation, remember that Claimyr option I mentioned earlier. Sometimes having a real conversation with an ESD agent can clear up issues that would otherwise drag on for weeks through the online system.

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who works in payroll - the unemployment tax system is pretty fair when you understand it. Employers pay into the fund continuously based on their payroll, and the rate adjustments based on claims history actually encourage good employment practices. Companies that maintain stable workforces and only lay people off when truly necessary end up with lower rates over time. It's designed to make unemployment insurance sustainable while protecting workers who lose jobs through no fault of their own. Don't feel guilty about filing - you and your employer both contributed to this system while you were working.