Washington ESD unemployment benefits - does mortgage insurance cover unemployment payments?

There are two different types of mortgage insurance that might help. Some lenders offer mortgage protection insurance that can cover payments during unemployment, but it's separate from your Washington ESD benefits. You'd need to check with your mortgage company to see if you have this coverage.

been there man, lost my job in 2023 and had the same panic about the house. mortgage insurance is usually something you have to buy separately, it's not automatic. most people don't have it unless they specifically asked for it when they got their loan

I actually had to deal with this exact situation when I got laid off from Boeing. First thing - call your mortgage company immediately and explain the situation. Many lenders have hardship programs that can temporarily reduce or defer payments. Second, if you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

wait are you talking about PMI (private mortgage insurance) or actual unemployment insurance? because PMI just protects the lender if you default, it doesn't help you make payments

Contact your mortgage servicer ASAP about forbearance options. Most major lenders have unemployment hardship programs that can pause or reduce payments temporarily. This gives you breathing room while your Washington ESD claim processes. Document everything and keep records of your unemployment filing.

I'm confused about this whole thing. Are you saying there's insurance that pays your mortgage if you lose your job? That sounds too good to be true.

UPDATE: Called my lender and they said I don't have mortgage payment protection insurance, but they do have a hardship program that can defer payments for up to 3 months. Still waiting on Washington ESD to process my claim though.

The mortgage companies are required to work with you if you're facing hardship. Don't let them brush you off. Ask specifically about COVID-era programs that might still be available.

been unemployed 3 times in the last 10 years and never had mortgage insurance cover anything. your unemployment benefits from Washington ESD will be your main lifeline, everything else is just buying time until those kick in

Just want to add that if you're having trouble with your Washington ESD claim, there are services that can help you get through to an agent. I used one called Claimyr when my claim got stuck in adjudication and it saved me weeks of frustration.

Don't forget to look into local assistance programs too. Many counties have emergency rental/mortgage assistance for unemployed residents.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN! I waited 8 weeks for my Washington ESD benefits and almost lost my house. Mortgage companies don't care about your hardship programs, they just want their money.

realistically most unemployment insurance from Washington ESD won't cover your full mortgage but it'll help. the hardship program from your lender is probably your best bet for now

I work for a credit union and see this situation a lot. Call your lender immediately, document everything, and be proactive about communication. Most lenders would rather work with you than foreclose.

Side note but make sure you're doing your weekly claims with Washington ESD even while you're dealing with the mortgage stuff. Missing those can delay your benefits.

This might be obvious but also look into food banks and other assistance while you're waiting for benefits. Every dollar you don't spend on groceries is a dollar toward your mortgage.

Check if your state has any emergency mortgage assistance programs. Some states got federal funding for unemployment-related housing help.

OP how's your claim going? any updates from Washington ESD?

Final thought - if you do end up using Claimyr or any service to reach Washington ESD, make sure you understand what information they need. But yeah, getting through to an actual person can make a huge difference in understanding your claim status.

Hope everything works out OP. Keep us updated on how it goes with your lender and Washington ESD claim!