Washington ESD - If you get laid off do you get unemployment benefits automatically?

You're not automatically enrolled - you have to file a claim with Washington ESD. Getting laid off is usually considered 'involuntary separation' which means you should qualify as long as you meet the work and wage requirements. Don't wait to apply, file your claim as soon as possible after your last day of work.

File immediately after your last day. Don't delay at all. I made the mistake of waiting a week thinking I needed time to 'get organized' and that just delayed my first payment. Washington ESD processes claims in the order they receive them.

Yes you should qualify since layoffs aren't your fault. But the process isn't always smooth - sometimes claims get stuck in adjudication for weeks. If you have trouble getting through to Washington ESD on the phone, there's actually a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps people connect with agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

LAYOFFS SHOULD BE AUTOMATIC APPROVAL!! The system is so broken. I got laid off in 2023 and they still made me wait 3 weeks for my first payment while they 'processed' my claim. Like what is there to process?? Company fires you, you get benefits. Simple.

You mentioned you've been working for 2 years - that's definitely enough time to qualify. The main thing is making sure your employer reports the layoff correctly to Washington ESD. Sometimes there can be issues if they code it wrong in their system.

File online as soon as your last day is over. The Washington ESD website walks you through everything step by step. You'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and banking info if you want direct deposit.

Don't forget you'll need to file weekly claims even after your initial application is approved. And you have to do job search activities - I think it's 3 job contacts per week now but check the current requirements.

I went through this exact situation last year. Layoff = you should qualify no problem. Just file immediately and be prepared for the weekly certification process. It becomes routine after a few weeks.

One thing to watch out for - if your company offers you any severance pay, that might affect when your unemployment benefits start. Washington ESD considers severance as wages which can delay your claim.

Just to follow up on what I mentioned earlier about Claimyr - I used them when my claim got stuck and I couldn't reach anyone at Washington ESD. They got me connected to an agent within a few hours instead of spending days trying to call. Really saved me a lot of stress during an already difficult time.

Been there done that. Layoffs suck but at least the unemployment process is straightforward. File online, do your weekly claims, look for work. You'll be fine.

Make sure you understand the difference between being laid off vs fired for cause. Layoffs due to business reasons = you qualify. Getting fired for performance or misconduct = you might not qualify or face delays.

Pro tip: when you file your claim, be completely honest and accurate with all information. Any inconsistencies can trigger an adjudication review which delays everything.

I'm going through something similar right now. My company announced layoffs but hasn't said exactly when yet. Are you planning to file right after your last day or wait a bit?

Don't forget to keep track of all your job search activities from day one. Washington ESD can audit your job search log at any time and you need to have documentation.

The whole system is designed around the assumption that being unemployed is temporary. As long as you're actively looking for work and meeting the requirements, you should be fine. Layoffs are actually one of the clearest cases for qualification.

File your claim, do your weekly certifications, document your job search. It's not complicated but you have to stay on top of it. Missing a weekly claim can mess up your benefits.

Quick question - are you in a union? If so, they might have additional resources or advice about the unemployment process during layoffs.

Last thing I'll add - if you run into any issues with your claim, don't panic. Most problems can be resolved, it just takes patience and sometimes persistence in contacting Washington ESD. The Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier could be helpful if you get stuck trying to reach someone.