Does previous employer pay unemployment benefits - Washington ESD question

Your employer doesn't pay your benefits directly. They pay into the unemployment insurance system through payroll taxes while you're working. When you file a claim, Washington ESD pays you from that fund, not from your employer's bank account.

yeah but your employer's unemployment tax rate can go up if they have too many claims against them. so they might not be happy about it even if they're not paying directly

The system works like this: employers pay unemployment insurance taxes to Washington ESD based on their payroll. These taxes fund the unemployment insurance program. When you file a claim, Washington ESD determines if you're eligible and pays benefits from this fund, not directly from your employer. Your employer will get notified of your claim and can contest it if they believe you're not eligible, but they don't write you a check.

I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when my employer contested my claim. Spent hours on hold trying to get someone to explain the process. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual person at Washington ESD. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made the whole process way less stressful.

The key thing to remember is that unemployment insurance is exactly that - insurance. You and your employer both contributed to it while you were working. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you have every right to collect benefits without feeling guilty about it.

Just want to add that even if your employer contests your claim, you can still receive benefits while the dispute is being resolved. Washington ESD will make a determination and if they find in your favor, you'll get paid. If they find against you, you might have to pay back any benefits you received during the dispute period.

To clarify the waiting period - in Washington, there's typically a one-week waiting period before you can receive benefits. This means you won't get paid for your first week of unemployment, but you still need to file that weekly claim to keep your claim active.

the whole system is set up to be confusing honestly. employers don't want you to know how it works because they think it'll make you more likely to file claims

Quick question - if I was an independent contractor, did my 'employer' pay unemployment taxes for me? Or am I not eligible?

Just to follow up on my earlier comment about Claimyr - I know some people are skeptical, but it really did help me get through to Washington ESD quickly. When you're dealing with a contested claim or just need to check your status, being able to actually talk to someone makes a huge difference.

This thread is really helpful! I had no idea how the funding worked. Always thought it came directly from the employer's pocket.

One thing to watch out for - some employers will try to discourage you from filing by making it sound like you're not eligible or that it will hurt the company. Know your rights and file if you think you qualify. Let Washington ESD make the determination.

Does anyone know if there's a limit to how much unemployment you can collect? Like, is there a maximum amount?

Just want to echo what others have said - don't feel guilty about filing for unemployment if you're eligible. You and your employer both paid into the system for exactly this situation. It's not charity, it's insurance you've already paid for.

I used to work in HR and can confirm - employers pay unemployment taxes whether anyone files claims or not. The tax rate might fluctuate slightly based on claims history, but it's part of doing business. Don't let guilt stop you from filing if you're eligible.

For anyone still confused about the process, the Washington ESD website has a good breakdown of how employer taxes work and how benefits are funded. Worth reading if you want to understand the system better.

Bottom line: if you lose your job through no fault of your own, file for unemployment. The system exists to help people in exactly your situation. Don't overthink it.