What is the most common type of Washington ESD unemployment - regular UI vs other programs?
I'm trying to understand which type of unemployment benefits most people in Washington get. Is it regular UI (unemployment insurance) through Washington ESD, or are there other common programs? I got laid off from my retail job last month and filed for regular unemployment but I keep hearing about different types of benefits and I'm confused. My claim is approved but I want to make sure I'm getting the right type. What's the difference between regular UI and other programs like standby or training benefits?
60 comments


Ellie Simpson
Regular UI is definitely the most common type. That's what most people get when they lose their job through no fault of their own. If you got approved for regular unemployment through Washington ESD, you're probably getting the right benefits. Other programs like standby are for very specific situations.
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•Thanks! That makes me feel better. I was worried I might be missing out on something better.
0 coins
Arjun Kurti
•yeah regular UI is what like 90% of people get when they file unemployment claims
0 coins
Raúl Mora
You're correct that regular UI is the most common. Here's the breakdown: Regular UI covers people who lost jobs due to layoffs, business closures, or reduction in workforce. Standby benefits are for temporary layoffs where you expect to return to the same employer. Training benefits require approval for specific programs. Most Washington ESD claims are regular UI because that covers the majority of job loss situations.
0 coins
Margot Quinn
•What about people who quit their jobs? Can they get regular UI too or is that a different type?
0 coins
Raúl Mora
•If you quit voluntarily, you typically can't get regular UI unless you had good cause like unsafe working conditions or harassment. Those cases require adjudication to determine eligibility.
0 coins
Evelyn Kim
I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I needed to ask about my claim type. Spent hours on hold trying to verify I was getting the right benefits. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me through to an agent quickly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made the whole process so much easier.
0 coins
Diego Fisher
•How much does that cost? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my claim.
0 coins
Evelyn Kim
•It's worth it just to avoid the endless hold times. Way better than spending all day trying to get through on your own.
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•Interesting, I might need to try that if I have issues with my weekly claims.
0 coins
Henrietta Beasley
Regular unemployment is definitely the main one but there's also disaster unemployment if there's like a natural disaster, and trade adjustment assistance for people whose jobs got moved overseas. But yeah, regular UI through Washington ESD covers probably 95% of unemployment claims.
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•I didn't even know disaster unemployment was a thing. Good to know there are options for different situations.
0 coins
Lincoln Ramiro
•Those specialty programs are pretty rare though. Most people just need regular UI.
0 coins
Arjun Kurti
dont overthink it if your claim got approved for regular UI thats what you need. the other types are for weird situations that dont apply to most people
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•True, I tend to worry about things too much. If Washington ESD approved me for regular UI, that's probably right.
0 coins
Ellie Simpson
Just to add - if you're on regular UI, make sure you're doing your job search requirements and filing your weekly claims on time. That's more important than worrying about whether you have the 'right' type of unemployment. The system usually puts you in the correct program automatically.
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•Good point. I've been keeping track of my job searches in the WorkSourceWA system like they told me to.
0 coins
Faith Kingston
•Yeah the job search thing is super important. I know someone who got disqualified for not doing enough job searches.
0 coins
Emma Johnson
Regular UI is what I got when I was laid off from my construction job. It's the standard program for most layoffs. The other types like standby are really specific - like if your employer is going to call you back for seasonal work or something. Don't stress about it if you're already approved.
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•That's reassuring. I was laid off permanently from retail so regular UI makes sense for my situation.
0 coins
Liam Brown
•Construction is always doing layoffs and rehires. Most of us end up on regular UI between jobs.
0 coins
Emma Johnson
•Exactly. It's just part of the industry cycle. Regular UI covers it fine.
0 coins
Olivia Garcia
I work for Washington ESD (not giving official advice just sharing general info) and yes, regular UI makes up the vast majority of our claims. The other programs exist but they're for very specific circumstances. If you filed online and got approved, the system determined the right program for you based on your separation reason.
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•Thanks for the insider perspective! That's really helpful to know the system figures it out automatically.
0 coins
Noah Lee
•How does the system know which program to put someone in? Is it based on how you answer the initial questions?
0 coins
Olivia Garcia
•Yes, it's based on your answers about why you left your job, whether it's temporary or permanent, and other factors in your initial application.
0 coins
Ava Hernandez
Been on unemployment three times in the past five years (thanks, economy) and it was regular UI every time. That's what covers typical layoffs, company closures, and job eliminations. Unless you have a really unusual situation, that's what you'll get.
0 coins
Isabella Martin
•Three times in five years? That's rough. At least you know the system by now.
0 coins
Ava Hernandez
•Yeah, I'm unfortunately an expert at filing unemployment claims at this point. But regular UI has always covered what I needed.
0 coins
Elijah Jackson
My cousin was confused about this same thing when she got laid off. She kept asking if she should apply for different types of benefits but regular UI was the right choice. The Washington ESD website has info about all the different programs but honestly, regular UI is what 99% of people need.
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•Good to know I'm not the only one who was confused about this. The website has so much information it's overwhelming.
0 coins
Sophia Miller
•The website is definitely confusing. They could make it clearer which program applies to which situations.
0 coins
Mason Davis
REGULAR UI IS THE MAIN ONE!!! Stop overthinking it! If you got laid off like a normal person, that's what you get. All the other stuff is for weird special cases that don't apply to regular people losing regular jobs.
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•Okay, okay, point taken! I'll stop worrying about it.
0 coins
Mia Rodriguez
•Lol someone's passionate about unemployment benefits
0 coins
Jacob Lewis
I had to call Washington ESD to verify my benefit type when I first filed. Took forever to get through but they confirmed regular UI was correct for my layoff situation. Might be worth calling if you're really concerned, though the hold times are brutal.
0 coins
Amelia Martinez
•I heard about that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Might be worth trying if you need to call Washington ESD without the crazy wait times.
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•Yeah, that might be helpful if I run into issues with my weekly claims or need to ask questions.
0 coins
Ethan Clark
Don't forget that even with regular UI, there are different ways your claim can be processed. Some go through adjudication if there are questions about your separation, but it's still regular UI benefits once approved. The type of benefit doesn't change even if the approval process is different.
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•Mine didn't go through adjudication, it was approved pretty quickly. I guess that means my case was straightforward.
0 coins
Mila Walker
•If you got laid off clearly through no fault of your own, adjudication usually isn't needed. That's probably why yours went through fast.
0 coins
Logan Scott
Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - regular UI is by far the most common. I've been helping people with unemployment issues for years and it's almost always regular UI unless someone has a really unique situation like being in a union with special benefits or something.
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•Thanks for all the reassurance everyone. I feel much better about my situation now.
0 coins
Chloe Green
•This thread has been really helpful. I was wondering the same thing about my claim.
0 coins
Lucas Adams
To summarize for anyone else reading this: Regular UI (unemployment insurance) through Washington ESD is what most people get when they lose their jobs through layoffs, business closures, or similar situations. Other programs exist but they're for specific circumstances. If you filed and got approved, you're probably on the right program.
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•Perfect summary! This should be pinned at the top of unemployment forums.
0 coins
Harper Hill
•Agreed, this would have saved me a lot of confusion when I first filed.
0 coins
Caden Nguyen
•Thanks for the clear explanation. Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one.
0 coins
Avery Flores
One more thing - even though regular UI is the most common, make sure you understand your specific benefit amount and duration. That can vary based on your work history and earnings. But the program type is almost certainly regular UI for standard layoffs.
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•Good point. I should double-check my weekly benefit amount and how many weeks I'm eligible for.
0 coins
Zoe Gonzalez
•You can check all that information in your Washington ESD account online. It shows your benefit year and weekly amount.
0 coins
Ashley Adams
been lurking this thread and just wanted to say thanks for asking this question OP. I had the same confusion and this cleared it up perfectly. regular UI it is!
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•Glad I could help by being confused! Sometimes asking the obvious questions helps everyone.
0 coins
Alexis Robinson
Last thought on this - if you ever do need to contact Washington ESD about your claim type or any other questions, that Claimyr service people mentioned actually works well. Used it myself when I couldn't get through the regular phone lines. Way less frustrating than the usual calling experience.
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•I'll definitely keep that in mind if I need to talk to someone at Washington ESD. Thanks for the recommendation!
0 coins
Aaron Lee
•Good to know there are options when you can't get through the normal way. The hold times are insane.
0 coins
Chloe Mitchell
This has been a really informative thread. Bottom line: regular UI is what most people get and need. Don't stress about whether you have the 'right' type of unemployment if you're already approved and receiving benefits. Focus on meeting your job search requirements and filing your weekly claims on time.
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•Exactly what I needed to hear. Time to stop worrying and focus on finding my next job. Thanks everyone!
0 coins
Michael Adams
•Good luck with the job search! The unemployment benefits are there to help while you find something new.
0 coins
Natalie Wang
•This thread should be required reading for new unemployment claimants. So much good info here.
0 coins