Lost job after Washington minimum wage increase - can I still get unemployment benefits?

Thank you! I was so worried they'd think it was somehow my fault. Do I need any special documentation from my employer?

No special docs needed beyond your normal separation paperwork if you have it. Washington ESD will contact your employer directly to verify the layoff reason.

That's reassuring to hear. Did she have any delays with her claim getting processed?

Nope, pretty standard processing time. Maybe 2-3 weeks before first payment.

How much does that cost? I'm already tight on money from being laid off.

It's worth checking out their site for details. For me, the time savings alone made it worthwhile since I was spending entire days trying to call.

I used Claimyr too when I had adjudication issues. Really helped me get through to someone who could explain what was holding up my claim.

Not really the place for political debate. OP just needs help with their unemployment claim.

Yeah, I'm just trying to figure out how to pay my bills right now. The layoff already happened so I need to deal with that reality.

I do have the SAW account from when I filed taxes online. Is that the same login?

Yes, same login system. That'll save you some time in the application process.

Good point, I'll do it tonight. I was just worried about filing incorrectly and messing something up.

Better to file and fix any issues later than to lose out on benefit weeks. You can always provide additional info if needed.

I'm looking for retail or customer service jobs. Do I need to start the job search right away or can I wait until my claim is approved?

You need to start looking for work immediately and keep detailed records. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week and you have to report them on your weekly claims.

Okay, I'll start applying places tomorrow and keep track of everything.

Is there anything I can do to prepare for that possibility?

Keep any texts, emails, or paperwork about the layoff. If they contest it, you'll need to show it was due to lack of work, not misconduct.

That's a relief. I've never been fired or had any work issues, so I hope it goes smoothly.

I hadn't thought about that. Thanks for the reminder, I'll look into what's available.

Yeah, unemployment benefits alone might not cover everything, especially if you were making close to minimum wage before.

I'll keep that in mind if I run into issues. Hopefully my claim will be straightforward since it was a clear layoff.

I used Claimyr when I had questions about my job search requirements. The ESD agent they connected me with was really helpful in explaining exactly what I needed to do.

I worked there for 2 years, about 30 hours a week. No other jobs during that time. Will that be enough to qualify?

Two years of steady work should definitely be enough to establish a claim. Your benefit amount will be based on your earnings during the base period.

Again, this isn't really the forum for policy discussions. OP needs practical help with their unemployment claim.

I understand both sides of it, but right now I just need to focus on getting through this situation.

Is there a specific time on Sunday or just anytime during the day?

Anytime Sunday, but I always do mine first thing in the morning so I don't forget. The system is usually less busy early in the day too.

What's the difference? I thought they were the same thing.

Able and available means you're physically capable of working and not restricted by things like illness or travel. Actively seeking work means you're actually applying for jobs and networking.

Got it, thanks for clarifying that.

What would cause adjudication in a case like mine?

Sometimes they just need to verify employment details with your employer or clarify the reason for separation. It's routine fact-checking, not necessarily a problem.

Good advice. I'll start a folder for everything related to this claim.

I'll check that out. I want to make sure I'm doing everything correctly from the start.

Smart approach. It's much easier to do it right the first time than to fix problems later.

No, they didn't offer health insurance to part-time employees. I've been without coverage for a while now.

Definitely look into Washington Healthplanfinder then. You might qualify for subsidies, especially while you're unemployed.

Thanks for all the support and advice everyone. I feel much better about filing my claim now.

Good luck with your claim! Feel free to come back if you have more questions during the process.