Who pays for Washington ESD unemployment benefits - employer or state?

So my employer can't just refuse to pay my benefits then? That's a relief!

exactly, the employer already paid into the system so they can't stop your benefits just because they don't want to pay

That's why some employers contest legitimate claims - they're trying to keep their tax rates low by preventing payouts.

Wait so if I file for unemployment it makes my old employer pay more taxes later? I feel kinda bad now...

Don't feel bad! You earned those benefits through your work. The system is designed this way to encourage employers to avoid layoffs when possible.

I was having the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents - you can check it out at claimyr.com. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Interesting, I'll check that out. Getting hung up on after waiting 2 hours is driving me crazy.

Your employer is either misinformed or trying to discourage you from filing. All employers in Washington are required to pay unemployment taxes unless they're a very specific type of organization.

Some employers try to scare employees into not filing by claiming it costs them money directly. While their taxes can go up eventually, they've already paid into the system.

So it's not like welfare or something where taxpayers are paying for it directly?

Exactly. It's more like insurance that employers pay for on behalf of their workers. You've essentially earned these benefits through your employment.

Generally yes, but it's based on their experience rating which looks at their layoff history relative to their size. A small business with frequent turnover could have higher rates than a large stable company.

That's why some companies work really hard to contest every unemployment claim, even legitimate ones. They're trying to keep their costs down.

Government entities typically reimburse the unemployment fund dollar-for-dollar for benefits paid to their former employees, rather than paying ongoing taxes. But you're still eligible for the same benefits.

Good to know, thanks! I was worried I might not be covered the same way.

During the 2008 recession and COVID pandemic, many states had to borrow from the federal government when their trust funds were depleted. Washington managed better than most states but did face some strain.

If a state's fund runs low, they can increase employer tax rates or reduce benefit amounts, but that's pretty rare in Washington.

Washington doesn't currently have a voluntary unemployment insurance program for self-employed individuals, though some states are starting to offer this option.

You might want to look into private unemployment insurance or disability insurance as alternatives.

That's exactly right! Think of it like health insurance or workers' comp - it's a benefit that was funded through your employment. You have every right to use it when you need it.

Yes! And the more we think of it as insurance rather than welfare, the less stigma there should be around using unemployment benefits.

I had the same issue until I used Claimyr to get through to an actual person at Washington ESD. It saved me so much time and stress. The service connects you directly with agents instead of dealing with the busy phone lines.

Really? How does that work exactly?

They basically handle the calling process for you and get you connected when an agent is available. Way better than spending hours on hold just to get disconnected.

Most people don't understand how unemployment insurance works until they need it. It's actually a pretty smart system that spreads the cost among employers rather than general taxpayers.

The whole system makes more sense when you understand it's insurance, not a government handout.

Most employers have to participate, but some very small employers (usually under 4 employees) and certain types of organizations may be exempt. Religious organizations sometimes have different rules too.

Even if your employer is exempt, you might still be eligible for benefits in some cases. It's complicated so best to check with Washington ESD directly.

Good luck getting through to them though! The phone system is a nightmare. I've been trying for days to get answers about my claim.

Have you tried Claimyr? Someone mentioned it earlier in this thread and it actually worked for me. Got connected to a Washington ESD agent within an hour instead of spending all day calling.

Exactly! Your employer's taxes are based on their payroll and past claims experience. Whether you file or not, they've already paid their share into the fund.

Don't let employers guilt trip you about filing. You earned those benefits through your work and they're there for exactly this situation.