Who does unemployment affect most in Washington state - curious about demographics

That makes sense about young workers. I definitely saw that when I was filing - lots of people my age struggling to find entry level positions.

Single parent here and can confirm it's extra tough. Childcare costs make some jobs not even worth taking.

Same here with restaurant work. Every winter it's slow and people get laid off. At least Washington ESD makes it easier to file if you've done it before.

I never thought about seasonal workers having to deal with this regularly. That must be stressful.

How does that work exactly? Do they just call for you or something?

Yeah basically they handle the calling and waiting part, then connect you when an actual person picks up. Check out claimyr.com for more details.

Hmm sounds too good to be true but I guess if it saves time dealing with Washington ESD phone system...

This is so true. My dad got laid off at 58 and it took him almost two years to find something. Companies want younger cheaper workers.

The disability thing is real too. Even with ADA protections, employers find ways to avoid hiring people who might need accommodations.

Good point. I work at a community college and see students struggling with this all the time. They have skills but need help with the system.

I hadn't considered the language barrier aspect. That would make an already complicated process even harder.

Exactly! And the Washington ESD job search requirements assume you have good internet access which isn't always the case in rural areas.

Plus rural areas often depend on one or two major employers. When they close or downsize it affects the whole community.

This is why I never stopped working even when daycare cost more than I made. Couldn't afford the gap on my resume.

Retail is brutal. They'll cut your hours before laying you off so you can't even file for unemployment benefits.

Yeah I do DoorDash and trying to figure out if I qualified for benefits was a nightmare. Finally got help through that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier.

Gig work is the future but the safety net hasn't caught up yet. You're basically on your own most of the time.

So true. I was so depressed after getting laid off I could barely get out of bed let alone apply for jobs.

The stress of dealing with Washington ESD and job searching while worried about money is overwhelming. Takes a toll on your whole family.

This needs to change. People deserve second chances and the current system just creates more poverty and recidivism.

Some states have ban the box laws but employers find other ways to discriminate unfortunately.

I graduated in 2024 with a business degree and still waiting tables because I can't find anything in my field that pays enough.

At least serving gives you cash tips. I'm doing unpaid internships hoping something turns into a real job.

Yeah I'm in Spokane and job market is way different than Seattle. But at least rent doesn't cost your whole paycheck here.

Cost of living vs wages is brutal in Seattle. You can make more money but spend way more too.

I left nursing after 15 years because of burnout. Now I'm trying to figure out what else I can do with my skills.

Healthcare job market is so weird right now. Desperate for workers but also laying people off at the same time.

Exactly. If you know how to work the system and have time to deal with bureaucracy you're better off than someone juggling multiple crises.

Which is why services like Claimyr are helpful - they level the playing field a bit by handling the phone maze for you. Check claimyr.com if you need help reaching Washington ESD.

Thanks everyone for all the insights! This gives me a much better picture of how unemployment affects different groups in our state.