When does a company have to pay unemployment benefits in Washington state?

So they've been paying into the system but can still fight my claim? That doesn't seem fair.

Unfortunately yes, they can contest claims if they believe the separation wasn't qualifying. But if you were truly laid off due to budget cuts, you should have a strong case.

I have an email from my manager mentioning the department restructuring, but nothing specifically saying I was laid off.

That email could be helpful! Save everything you have related to the layoff situation.

Thanks for the suggestion! I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days with no luck.

I've heard mixed things about these third-party services. How much did it cost you?

It was worth it for me to avoid the endless hold times. The value was in actually getting to talk to someone at Washington ESD about my specific situation.

So that's why some employers try to contest legitimate claims? To keep their rates down?

Exactly. Higher claim rates mean higher tax rates for the employer, so some will contest claims even when they shouldn't.

That makes sense why they're being difficult about this. It's all about money for them.

How long did the whole process take for you?

like 6 weeks total because of the back and forth with adjudication. was super stressful but worth fighting for

I wasn't sure about that! Should I keep doing job searches too during this time?

Yes, definitely keep doing your job searches and logging them. The work search requirements still apply even during adjudication.

This is crucial advice. I made the mistake of not filing weekly claims during my contest period and lost out on some benefits.

My company definitely meets that threshold, so they've been paying in all along.

Right, so the money for your benefits is already there in the system. It's just a matter of proving you're eligible to receive it.

Misconduct has a very specific definition under Washington unemployment law. Simple personality conflicts usually don't qualify as misconduct unless there were policy violations.

That's what I'm hoping. I never received any written warnings or anything like that.

Keep records of everything! Any emails, performance reviews, anything that shows you weren't committing misconduct.

I'm definitely going to look into that. I feel like I need to talk to someone directly about my situation.

Make sure you have all your claim details ready before you call. They'll want your Social Security number and claim confirmation number.

At least I know it's not unusual for employers to contest claims. Makes me feel less like I did something wrong.

You didn't do anything wrong! Companies contest claims all the time, even legitimate ones. Stand your ground.

Thank you! It really helps to know other people have been through this and come out okay.

So newer companies might be more likely to contest claims since they're still building their rating?

Possibly, though the standard new employer rate is usually somewhere in the middle range, so it could go either way.

That's reassuring to hear from someone who works in HR. I was starting to doubt myself.

Don't doubt yourself. Layoffs for economic reasons are exactly what unemployment insurance is designed for.

Agreed. Companies that contest obvious layoffs are just trying to save money on their tax rates at employees' expense.

Yes, you can appeal any negative determination. You'll get information about the appeals process if your claim is initially denied. There are deadlines to meet though.

I went through the appeals process last year. It's more formal but if you have good documentation, you can often win on appeal even if the initial decision went against you.

Thanks everyone for all the advice and support. I feel much more confident about handling this situation now.

You've got this! Keep us updated on how it goes.

I'm definitely going to try that if I can't get through the regular way. Thanks for the recommendation!

Same here, I used it last month when I had questions about my job search requirements. Much easier than the regular phone system.

Will do! I really appreciate everyone taking the time to help me understand all this.