What unemployment benefits am I eligible for through Washington ESD?

Washington ESD offers several types of unemployment benefits. Regular unemployment insurance (UI) is the most common - you'll likely qualify for this since you were laid off. You need to have earned enough wages in your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). Standby is different - that's for when you're temporarily laid off but expect to return to the same job within a specific timeframe.

def recommend checking out claimyr.com if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD directly. their phone system is impossible to get through normally but this service helped me get connected when my claim was stuck. theres a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works

Don't forget about partial unemployment benefits! If you find a new part-time job while collecting, you might still be eligible for reduced benefits. Washington ESD has specific calculations for this - you can earn up to a certain amount before your weekly benefit gets reduced.

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! i filed 2 weeks ago and still dont understand half the terminology they use. what is adjudication?? why do they need to verify everything?

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator tool that's pretty helpful. You enter your wages from the last 15 months and it estimates your weekly benefit amount. For part-time work at $15/hour, you're probably looking at somewhere between $200-400 per week depending on your exact hours.

MAKE SURE you apply as soon as possible! Benefits start from the week you file, not from when you lost your job. I waited 3 weeks after getting laid off and lost out on those first weeks of benefits.

just a heads up - you'll need to do job search activities once you start receiving benefits. washington esd requires proof that you're actively looking for work. keep track of everything!

Also worth mentioning - if you're union member or in certain industries, there might be additional considerations. But for most people in retail like you, regular UI is straightforward. Just be honest about why you were laid off and have your employment history ready.

if you run into issues with your claim or need to speak with someone at washington esd, seriously consider claimyr. i spent literally days trying to get through their phone system before finding that service. way better than sitting on hold for hours

can you collect unemployment if you quit your job? my friend said you cant but another friend said you can in some situations

The whole process seems intimidating but it's really not that bad once you get started. I filed online and it took maybe 30 minutes. The hardest part was gathering all my employment info from the past 15 months.

One thing to remember - your benefit year lasts 52 weeks from when you file, but you can only collect up to 26 weeks of benefits during that year (or less if you find work). So if you find a job after 10 weeks, you could still use the remaining 16 weeks later if you lose that job within the same benefit year.

dont forget about the waiting week! first week you file doesnt get paid in washington, its like a waiting period

I think there's some confusion here about the waiting week. Washington actually eliminated the waiting week requirement a few years ago. You should get paid for your first eligible week now.

For someone in retail who was laid off due to store closure, the process should be pretty smooth. Just make sure you have: SSN, employment history for last 15 months, reason for job separation, and your bank info for direct deposit. You can file online at esd.wa.gov.

also be prepared for identity verification if you're filing for the first time. washington esd has gotten really strict about this since all the fraud issues. might need to upload documents

honestly if any part of this process gets confusing or your claim gets held up, claimyr.com was a lifesaver for me. being able to actually talk to someone at washington esd instead of getting endless busy signals made all the difference

good luck with your claim! retail workers definitely deserve support when stores close through no fault of their own. the system isnt perfect but it does help bridge the gap while you find new work

Just to summarize for the OP: You'll most likely qualify for regular unemployment insurance through Washington ESD. File online as soon as possible since benefits start from when you file, not when you lost your job. You'll need employment history, reason for separation, and basic personal info. After filing, submit weekly claims every week. The process is much more straightforward than it seems at first.

one last tip - set up direct deposit when you file. getting paper checks takes forever and theyre easy to lose. direct deposit is much faster and more reliable