If I am laid off can I collect unemployment - Washington ESD eligibility?

Yes, if you're laid off through no fault of your own, you should be eligible for unemployment benefits in Washington. You'll need to file your claim online at esd.wa.gov as soon as possible after your last day of work. Make sure you have your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and your employer's information ready.

Layoffs definitely qualify you for UI benefits. The key is that it has to be involuntary - which layoffs are. You'll get about 60% of your average weekly wage up to the maximum benefit amount. Just make sure your employer doesn't try to claim you were fired for cause or anything like that.

I went through this exact situation last year. The hardest part was actually getting through to Washington ESD to check on my claim status. Their phone system is absolutely terrible - I spent hours trying to call them. If you run into issues reaching them, there's a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Don't forget you have to do the job search requirements too. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week and you have to keep a log of them. This includes applying for jobs, networking, attending job fairs, etc.

MAKE SURE YOU FILE YOUR WEEKLY CLAIMS EVERY WEEK! Even if your initial claim is still being processed, you need to file those weekly claims or you'll lose those weeks permanently. This is the biggest mistake people make.

Also be prepared for the possibility of adjudication. If there's anything unusual about your employment situation, Washington ESD might need to investigate further before approving your claim. This can add weeks to the process.

The Washington ESD website has gotten better over the years but it can still be confusing. Make sure you're using the right portal - some people accidentally use the wrong login system and get frustrated.

Just went through this myself 6 months ago. The whole process took about 4 weeks from filing to getting my first payment. Make sure you have direct deposit set up - it's way faster than waiting for checks in the mail.

One thing to watch out for - if you get any severance pay, that might affect when your benefits start. Washington ESD has specific rules about how severance is treated.

sorry your going through this! layoffs suck but at least unemployment is there to help. i was laid off in 2023 and got benefits for about 5 months while i looked for work

Pro tip: start looking for work immediately even before your last day if possible. The job market can be competitive and you want to minimize your time on unemployment.

Don't stress too much about the application process. Washington ESD has actually made it pretty user-friendly compared to other states. Just gather all your documents first and take your time filling it out.

The waiting week was eliminated in Washington a few years ago, so you should be eligible for benefits starting from your first week of unemployment. That's good news compared to some other states.

If you have trouble with the online system, there are also phone options, but like someone mentioned earlier, getting through can be really tough. I ended up using that Claimyr service too when I couldn't reach anyone for weeks.

Make sure you understand the difference between being laid off and being fired. Layoffs are due to business reasons (like company restructuring, downsizing, lack of work) while being fired is usually for performance or conduct issues. Layoffs almost always qualify for benefits.

i've been on unemployment 3 times in the last 10 years (construction work is unpredictable). each time for layoffs and never had problems getting approved. washington is pretty good about this stuff

Remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income, so you might want to have taxes withheld or set aside money for tax time. Washington ESD gives you the option to have federal taxes withheld.

The maximum benefit amount in Washington is pretty decent compared to other states. You can calculate your estimated weekly benefit amount on the Washington ESD website before you even file.

Last thing - if your claim gets denied for any reason, don't panic. You have the right to appeal and most appeals are handled pretty fairly if you have a legitimate case. Layoffs are almost never denied unless there's some other issue.