ESD eligibility after temp agency contract ends - different than regular layoff?

Yes!!! You can totally apply now, don't wait!! When my last temp job ended at Anderson Staffing they told me the exact same thing about keeping me in their system. I filed right away and got approved. As long as u didn't quit or get fired for misconduct youre good to go. Just make sure you list the temp agency as your employer not the actual company you were placed at.

You're eligible to file immediately after your contract ends. This is considered a 'lack of work' situation, which qualifies for benefits. When you file, you'll need: 1. The temp agency's ESD number (they should provide this) 2. Your start/end dates 3. Your wage information One important note: ESD will contact the temp agency to verify your separation reason. If the agency offers you another suitable position and you decline it, you could be disqualified for benefits. Make sure you document any job offers from them and why you may have declined (different field, significantly lower pay, etc.). Also, you'll need to meet the usual eligibility requirements for Washington state, including having worked 680 hours in your base year.

When I tried to file after my warehouse temp assignment ended last year, it was a NIGHTMARE. ESD kept going back and forth between me and the agency. The agency claimed they offered me another position (they mentioned it once over voicemail but it was for like 4 hours a week?!) and my claim got denied. Took me WEEKS of calling ESD to finally get through and explain. Had to appeal and everything. The system is RIGGED in favor of these agencies!!

fyi temp agencies sometimes fight UI claims hard cuz it affects their rates. document everything!

To directly answer your question - yes, the end of a contract assignment through a temp agency is treated as a layoff ("lack of work") for unemployment purposes in Washington State. However, there are some specific considerations with temp agencies: 1. The temp agency is your legal employer, not the client company 2. You must report any offers of suitable work from the agency 3. "Suitable work" has a legal definition based on your skills, experience, and previous wage level When you file, be very specific that your assignment ended (not that you quit the agency). In Washington, if the temp agency doesn't place you in a new assignment within a reasonable time, you should qualify. The agency may contest this, which is where documentation becomes critical. One more tip: the ESD phone lines are completely overwhelmed right now with the recent tech layoffs. I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an ESD agent quickly when my claim had issues. Saved me hours of frustration. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3

I went through this exact situation in February. Here's what you need to know that I learned the hard way: - File immediately, don't wait for the agency to find you work - When it asks for your employer, list the TEMP AGENCY not the place you were actually working - Answer "NO" when asked if you quit - Answer "YES" when asked if you were laid off due to lack of work - In the comments section, clearly explain "My temporary assignment ended on [date]. The agency has informed me they have no other suitable assignments available at this time." I had no problems getting approved. The agency did contact me about another position, but it was in a completely different field at much lower pay, so I was able to decline it without affecting my benefits. Just make sure you document everything.

talk to the agebcy first sometimes they hve other jobs but just didnt tell u yet. my cousin had this happen and the day after he filed they called with new assignment lol. then he had to cancel his claim

One clarification to what others have said: Even after filing for unemployment, you still need to perform the required job search activities (3 per week) and document them. If the temp agency contacts you with a suitable position, you would need to accept it or risk disqualification. "Suitable" means comparable to your previous position in terms of wages, hours, and type of work. They can't force you to accept something completely different or at significantly reduced pay. If the agency offers you work that you believe is not suitable, document exactly why and be prepared to explain this to ESD. When listing your job separations on the initial claim, make sure to state that your "assignment ended" rather than using terms like "contract expired" which might trigger unnecessary adjudication delays.

oops forgot to mention - make sure u have ur FINAL paystub ready when u file! the ESD system will ask for ur exact earnings. they verify everything and if the numbers dont match it can delay things

I'm in a similar situation right now - my temp assignment through TechStaff ended two weeks ago and I was hesitant to file because the agency kept saying they were "working on finding me something." After reading all these responses, I'm definitely going to file this week. The advice about documenting everything and using specific language like "assignment ended" is really valuable. It's frustrating that some agencies seem to make this process more difficult than it needs to be, but at least now I know what to expect. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

Just wanted to add my experience from last year - I was with Pacific Temps for a 6-month data entry assignment that ended in November. I was terrified to file because I'd never done it before, but it was actually pretty straightforward once I got through the initial application. The key things that helped me: 1. I called the temp agency the day my assignment ended and asked them directly via email if they had any other positions available - they said no, so I had that in writing 2. Filed online the next day using "assignment ended due to lack of work" 3. Got approved within about 10 days with no issues The agency never contested it, and I actually found a permanent job through my job search activities before my benefits ran out. Don't let the fear of the unknown keep you from filing - you've earned those benefits through your work! The system isn't perfect but it does work when you follow the process correctly.

Adding to what everyone else has shared - I just went through this exact process with StaffPro in January. My 10-month IT support contract ended and I was also getting the runaround about "keeping me in their system." Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: 1. Screenshot/save ANY communication from the agency saying they don't have work available - even text messages count as documentation 2. When you file, the system will ask for your "reason for separation" - select "lack of work" not "end of contract" 3. Keep a detailed log of every interaction with the agency moving forward (dates, times, who you spoke with, what was discussed) I got approved in about a week with zero pushback from the agency. The ESD rep I eventually spoke to said temp assignments ending is one of the most straightforward unemployment cases they handle - it's clearly "lack of work" which is exactly what unemployment insurance is designed for. Don't let them string you along while your bills pile up. You paid into this system and you're entitled to use it when you need it. File now and start getting the benefits you've earned!

I went through this exact situation with Apex Staffing about 6 months ago. My contract ended on a Friday and I was honestly scared to file because I kept reading conflicting info online, but I'm so glad I did it right away. Here's what worked for me: The key is being super clear that your ASSIGNMENT ended, not that you left the agency. I used the exact wording "My temporary assignment ended on [date] due to completion of the project. The staffing agency has no other suitable positions available at this time." Got approved in about 8 days with no issues. The agency did call me once about a position that was completely different (customer service vs my IT background) and way less pay, but I documented why it wasn't suitable and had no problems. One tip that saved me stress - I set up direct deposit right when I filed so I wouldn't have to worry about mail delays. Also, make sure you're doing your weekly claims on the same day each week - it makes tracking everything easier. You've got this! Don't let financial stress keep you from claiming benefits you've already earned through your work.