If you're laid off can you collect unemployment through Washington ESD?

That's a relief to hear. Do I file online or do I need to call somewhere?

You can file online at esd.wa.gov - it's much faster than trying to call. Make sure you have your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and your employer's information ready.

Good point about not waiting. How long does it usually take to get approved?

If everything is straightforward with a layoff, usually 2-3 weeks to get your first payment. Washington ESD has to verify your employment and wages first.

What kind of job search activities do they require?

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or even informational interviews. WorkSourceWA website has good resources for tracking this.

The job search requirement is no joke - they will audit your activities so make sure you keep detailed records of everything you do.

Never heard of that service before. Is it legit?

Yeah it's totally legitimate. I was skeptical at first too but it really works. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals or hung up on.

I've heard good things about Claimyr from other people too. Washington ESD's phone system is notoriously difficult to get through to.

It's definitely a layoff due to budget cuts, so I should be fine on that front.

Perfect, that makes the process much smoother. Just make sure when you file your claim you select 'lack of work' or 'layoff' as your reason for separation.

What happens if I miss filing a weekly claim?

you might lose that week's benefits permanently. Washington ESD is pretty strict about the weekly filing deadlines. Set a reminder on your phone or something

You actually have a short window to file late weekly claims but it's better to just stay on schedule. File every Sunday for the previous week.

I think I might get two weeks severance. How does that affect things?

You'll probably have to wait until after the severance period ends to start collecting unemployment. But you can still file your initial claim right away - just report the severance when asked.

That sounds useful, I'll check that out tonight.

That calculator is pretty accurate. My actual weekly amount was within $20 of what it estimated.

Good point, I hadn't thought about health insurance yet.

Yeah it's easy to overlook but super important. Washington state has their own health insurance marketplace that might have better options than COBRA.

I do some occasional freelance writing. Should I stop that while on unemployment?

You don't have to stop, just report all earnings honestly. They'll reduce your weekly benefit by a portion of what you earn. The exact formula is on their website.

I learned this the hard way - got an overpayment notice for not reporting $200 in freelance work. Just be transparent about everything.

They said the layoffs are permanent due to budget restructuring.

Okay, then regular unemployment is what you want. Standby is only for temporary layoffs where you expect to return to the same employer.

Seems like a lot of people have had success with that service.

Yeah, it's been a lifesaver. The Washington ESD phone system is just overwhelmed most of the time. Claimyr makes it manageable.

No waiting week currently in Washington - that was eliminated permanently, not just during COVID. You can receive benefits for your first eligible week.

Thanks for the correction! That's good news for anyone filing new claims.

Good idea. What specific documents do I need?

Social Security card, driver's license, last few pay stubs, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, dates worked, and why each job ended.

26 weeks should hopefully be enough time to find something new.

Yeah, and remember that you can work part-time while collecting unemployment too - just report all earnings. Sometimes a part-time job can lead to full-time opportunities.

What would cause a layoff claim to go into adjudication?

Sometimes employers dispute the reason for separation or there are questions about your work history. Usually gets resolved quickly but the phone support helps move things along.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice. Feeling much more prepared now if the layoff happens.

Good luck! Hopefully you won't need it but at least you know the process now.

Feel free to come back and ask more questions if you do end up filing a claim. This community is pretty helpful with Washington ESD stuff.