When to apply for ESD unemployment with upcoming business closure - before or after my last day?

You can actually file for unemployment AS SOON as you know your last day. You don't have to wait until you're actually unemployed. There's a section in the application where you indicate your last day of work. ESD won't start paying benefits until after that date, but this way you get your claim established in their system sooner. Given how backed up they often are, I'd recommend applying now so you're ahead of the curve.

dont apply early!!! my cousin did that when her store closed and they DENIED her bc she was still working when she applied. huge hassle to fix it

The Washington ESD website clearly states: "If you were laid off or will be laid off, you can apply for unemployment benefits as soon as you know your last day of work." So yes, you absolutely can (and should) apply now. When you file, you'll need to provide your last day of work (the 21st). The claim will be established, but benefits won't start until after your last day of employment. Make sure you have this information ready before applying: - Your Social Security number - Your employment history for the last 18 months (employer names, addresses, phone numbers) - The last date you'll work (the 21st) - Reason for separation (business closure/layoff) After you apply, you'll start filing weekly claims. For the weeks where you're still working, you'll report your hours/earnings, and you won't receive benefits for those weeks. But once your employment ends, you'll already be in the system and should start receiving benefits after your first eligible week (which is actually a waiting week where no benefits are paid).

when my job closed last year i waited until my last day and it took FOREVER to get paid... like 6 weeks with no money coming in!! definitely apply now if u can

Others are right that you can apply now, but word of caution - ESD's phone system is absolutely impossible to get through if you have questions or problems with your claim. I spent THREE WEEKS trying to reach someone when my claim had issues. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in under 25 minutes after weeks of failed attempts. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Hopefully your claim goes smoothly, but keep this in your back pocket if you hit roadblocks. Best of luck with the job transition!

QUICK TIP: When you apply, make sure you take screenshots or print confirmation pages of EVERYTHING you submit to ESD. Their system sometimes "loses" information and having proof of what you submitted can save you weeks of headaches later. Trust me on this one.

I've been through this exact situation when my manufacturing plant closed in 2023. Here's what I learned: 1. Apply immediately - there's a field for "last day worked" where you'll put the 21st 2. Your claim won't be effective until after your last day 3. You still need to do a waiting week (no benefits paid) 4. Start documenting your job search activities right away (you need 3 per week) 5. Keep filing weekly claims even during weeks you're still working - just report your hours honestly One thing to be aware of: make sure your employer doesn't code your separation as something other than "lack of work/business closure." If they mark it as anything else, you could face adjudication delays. If possible, get something in writing from them confirming you're being laid off due to business closure.

does anyone know if they get notifed about this at work? i wouldn't want my boss to know im applying before my last day

make sure u get ur separation letter on ur last day!!! its super important for proving ur eligible!!

One more thing - once you file, you'll get assigned a specific day of the week to file your weekly claims. Don't miss this! Even for weeks where you're still working, you need to submit your weekly claim and report your hours worked. If you miss even one week, it can cause problems with your claim that are a massive headache to fix.