How can you get approved for unemployment benefits in Washington state?

The main requirements are pretty straightforward - you need to have worked enough hours and earned enough wages in your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 complete quarters before you filed). Since you worked 2 years that should be fine. You also need to be unemployed through no fault of your own, which sounds like your situation with the store closure. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims every week and actively job searching.

One thing that helped me was making sure all my information was consistent between my initial application and weekly claims. Any discrepancies can trigger an adjudication investigation which can delay your benefits for weeks or months. Also double check your employer information is accurate.

I had a similar situation when my restaurant closed permanently last year. The approval process was actually pretty smooth since it was clearly not my fault. The key things Washington ESD looks at are: 1) You earned enough wages in your base period 2) You're unemployed through no fault of your own 3) You're able and available to work 4) You're actively seeking work. Store closures usually qualify easily for #2.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get connected to an actual agent. They had a video demo showing how it works (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ) and it actually worked for me when I needed to resolve an issue with my weekly claim. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.

been through this process twice now and the biggest mistake people make is not responding quickly to any requests for information from Washington ESD. if they send you a letter or message asking for additional docs, get it back to them ASAP. delays in responding can really slow down your approval

Make sure you understand the difference between being 'able and available' vs just available. You need to be physically and mentally capable of working full-time, not just willing to work. If you have any medical issues or other limitations, be honest about them but make sure you can still demonstrate you're able to work.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIGGED ANYWAY!! They make it as hard as possible to get benefits you paid into. I've been fighting with them for months over a disqualification that makes no sense. They deny people for the smallest reasons and then make you jump through hoops to appeal.

One thing that really helped my approval was having all my employment documentation organized before I even filed. Pay stubs, W-2s, any notices from my employer about the layoff. Having everything ready made the process much smoother.

dont stress too much about it. if you were legitimately laid off and worked long enough, you should be fine. the horror stories you hear are usually people who quit or got fired for cause or didn't work enough hours. store closures are pretty clear cut

I work in HR and deal with unemployment claims regularly. For someone in your situation with a clear layoff due to business closure, approval is very likely. The issues usually arise when there's ambiguity about the separation reason or work history gaps. Document everything and respond promptly to any requests.

Make sure you're registering with WorkSource Washington too. It's required for most claimants and they can help with job search resources. Plus it shows you're serious about finding work which Washington ESD likes to see.

Pro tip from someone who's been through this multiple times - keep a detailed log of all your job search activities. Date, company name, position, how you applied. Washington ESD can request this information at any time and if you can't provide it, they can deny your benefits.

I used Claimyr twice last month when I couldn't get through the regular Washington ESD phone lines. First time was to check why my payment was delayed, second time was about a work search requirement question. Both times they got me connected to an agent within minutes instead of calling for hours. Really saved my sanity during a stressful time.

Just want to say hang in there - the waiting and uncertainty is the worst part. Once you get approved and into the routine of filing weekly claims, it becomes much more manageable. Focus on your job search and try not to overthink the approval process.

Been approved for UI three different times over the years due to various layoffs. The process has gotten more streamlined but also more automated, which means less human review unless there's a flag. Your situation sounds straightforward so I wouldn't worry too much. Just stay on top of your weekly filings and job search requirements.

One more thing - if your claim does get flagged for adjudication, don't panic. It doesn't mean you're denied, just that they need to review something more carefully. Could be as simple as verifying your employer information or clarifying your separation reason. The wait is annoying but most adjudications resolve in the claimant's favor if they truly qualify.

Anyone else think it's ridiculous how hard they make this process? We pay into unemployment insurance our whole working lives and then have to jump through hoops to access it when we actually need it. The system needs serious reform.

Quick update for anyone following this thread - I finally got through to Washington ESD using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. The agent confirmed my claim is processing normally and should be approved within the next week. She also clarified some job search requirements that weren't clear on the website. Definitely worth using if you need to talk to someone.

Final thought - approval rates for legitimate layoffs are actually pretty high. Washington ESD has gotten better at processing straightforward claims quickly. It's the edge cases and people with complicated work histories that tend to have problems. Your retail job layoff due to store closure should be pretty cut and dried.