ESD eligibility when company is sold and position eliminated? Confused about my options

yes this is definitely a layoff situation even if they dont call it that. when your position is eliminated its considered "lack of work" which is exactly what qualifies for UI. dont quit early tho or they might say you left voluntarily!!

This is considered a qualifying separation under ESD rules. When a business is sold and positions are eliminated, it falls under "lack of work" which is one of the primary qualifying reasons for unemployment benefits. Here's what you should do: 1. Wait until your actual last day to file your initial claim 2. Make sure your separation letter clearly states your position was eliminated due to the company sale (not performance) 3. When filing, select "laid off/lack of work" as your reason for separation 4. Have your last 18 months of employment history ready as ESD will need this information If the new company offers you a position that is substantially different (lower pay, different duties, etc.), you may still qualify even if you decline it, but that gets more complicated.

i went through something similar when my retail store was bought out last year!!! waiting period is one week after u file but make sure u do the weekly claims every single week even while waiting for approval or u lose $$$$$

In Washington state, position elimination due to a business being sold absolutely qualifies for unemployment. The key is making sure your employer reports the separation correctly to ESD. Request documentation in writing that clearly states your position was eliminated due to the business sale, not for performance reasons. Also, be aware that if the new company offers you a position, you may be required to accept it if it's considered "suitable work" (comparable pay, similar duties, reasonable commute). Declining suitable work can disqualify you from benefits. As others mentioned, there's a one-week waiting period before benefits start, and you must file weekly claims starting immediately, even during the waiting period. The maximum weekly benefit amount is currently around $995 depending on your previous earnings.

they told me my job was being eliminated when my company got sold but then the new owners just hired someone else for basically the same job with a different title!! fought with ESD for MONTHS trying to get benefits because the company claimed i was fired for performance instead of position elimination. make sure you get EVERYTHING in writing!!!

I've tried calling ESD multiple times with questions about my claim in a similar situation, and it's almost impossible to get through. After weeks of frustration, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual ESD agent in about 15 minutes instead of spending hours redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Totally worth it for getting clear answers directly from ESD about my eligibility when my company changed ownership. The agent was able to note specific details on my account that prevented issues later.

Whatever you do DON'T QUIT before the transition!!!! My friend did that when his company was being acquired and ESD denied him because they said he voluntarily quit. Make them lay you off officially.

ur supposed to start looking for work right away just fyi. they want u to do like 3 job search activities every week and u gotta log them. i got in trouble for not doing enough job searches even tho i was waiting for my claim to be approved lol

To answer your follow-up question: Yes, job search requirements begin immediately with your first weekly claim. You need to complete and document at least 3 job search activities each week. Regarding getting your benefits quickly after approval: If your case is straightforward (position elimination clearly documented), you could see benefits within 2-3 weeks of filing. However, if your claim goes to adjudication for any reason, it could take 6-8 weeks or longer. One more tip: Make sure your employer uses the correct separation code when reporting to ESD. For position elimination due to business sale, it should be coded as a lack of work/layoff situation, not a voluntary quit or termination. This single detail can make the difference between a smooth claim and months of fighting the system.

btw when u file online it asks for a whole bunch of past employers and pay stubs and stuff so get that ready b4 u start the application. took me like 2 hours to finish everything

I'm in almost the exact same situation right now - my company just announced they're being acquired and several positions including mine are being "restructured out." Reading through all these responses has been really helpful! One thing I'd add is to screenshot or save copies of any internal communications about the sale/restructuring. My HR department sent an email explaining which positions were being eliminated and why, and I made sure to save that as backup documentation in case ESD needs additional proof that this wasn't performance-related. Also, if your company offers any kind of severance package, make sure you understand how that might affect your unemployment timing. Some severance is paid as a lump sum (shouldn't delay benefits) while others are paid out over time (might delay when you can start collecting). Good luck with everything - it's stressful but sounds like you're asking all the right questions!

This is such a stressful situation but you're definitely on the right track asking these questions early! I went through something similar when my previous employer was acquired by a larger company about 2 years ago. A few additional tips based on my experience: 1. Keep detailed records of ALL communications about the sale/transition - emails, meeting notes, any documentation they give you about your position being eliminated 2. If they ask you to help train your replacement or transition your duties, do it professionally but make sure it's clear this isn't you quitting - you're fulfilling your job duties until your position is eliminated 3. Consider asking HR for a letter stating your position elimination date and reason while you still have a good relationship with them - it's easier to get this now than after you've left The 5 weeks notice you got is actually pretty generous compared to what some companies do. Use that time wisely to get all your documentation in order and start networking (even though you can't officially job search for UI purposes until you file). Also, don't stress too much about the application process - yes it's long and detailed, but Washington's system is pretty user-friendly once you get started. You've got this!

I'm really sorry you're going through this - it's such an unsettling situation even when you know it's coming! I was in a similar position about a year ago when my company was acquired and they eliminated my entire department. Just want to echo what others have said about documentation being crucial. Beyond the separation letter, I'd also recommend taking screenshots of any job postings the new company might put up that look suspiciously similar to your current role (like what Sophia mentioned happened to her). One thing I wish someone had told me: if you have any unused PTO or vacation days, find out how those will be handled. Some companies pay them out immediately, others include them in your final paycheck, and this can affect the timing of when you should file your claim. Also, the ESD website has a really helpful "Am I Eligible" questionnaire that can give you peace of mind about your situation before you actually file. It walks through different scenarios including business sales and position eliminations. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but it sounds like you're being very proactive about understanding the process. That's going to serve you well when it comes time to actually file!