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Just to close the loop on this discussion - I think the original poster's situation (budget cuts, employer decision) clearly qualifies as a layoff. Don't overthink it! Washington ESD has pretty clear guidelines about involuntary job loss due to business reasons.
This has been a really informative discussion. I learned a lot about how Washington ESD classifies different types of job separations. Bookmarking this thread for future reference!
Safety retaliation cases are taken seriously by Washington ESD. You should be fine as long as you can show the timing between your complaint and the firing.
Just wanted to add that if your employer does contest your claim, don't panic. I've seen plenty of contested claims get approved after adjudication. The process works if you have your facts straight.
Final tip from someone who's been through this process: keep all your pay stubs from your base period. Sometimes there are discrepancies between what Washington ESD has on file and what you actually earned. Having documentation makes it easier to request corrections.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! This thread has been way more useful than the Washington ESD website. I feel much more confident about filing my claim now.
If you're still confused about your specific calculation, Washington ESD is supposed to send you a monetary determination that breaks down exactly which quarters and wages they used. That document should explain your $487 amount.
I got that letter but it's just a bunch of numbers and codes. Not very helpful for understanding the actual calculation.
Yeah the letters are pretty cryptic. That's probably why people end up calling or using services like Claimyr to get a human explanation.
Bottom line: Washington ESD uses your best quarter from the base period, divides by 26, and that's your weekly amount up to the max. Your $487 sounds about right for someone making $22/hour. The system isn't perfect but at least you qualified for benefits!
Miguel Ortiz
Just wanted to mention that Claimyr helped me when I was dealing with a disqualification issue too. Being able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD made a huge difference in understanding my options. The regular phone system is basically useless for complex issues like this.
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Zainab Omar
•I keep seeing mentions of this service. Might be worth looking into if the regular channels don't work out.
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Natasha Orlova
•Yeah I'm definitely going to tell my brother about it. Sounds like talking to an actual person is key for these complicated situations.
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Connor Murphy
Hope your brother gets it figured out. The disqualification rules are designed to prevent abuse but sometimes they catch people who legitimately need benefits. The appeal process exists for a reason though.
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Natasha Orlova
•Thanks again everyone. This thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding the whole disqualification landscape.
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Yara Sayegh
•Good thread. Always helpful when people share their experiences with the Washington ESD system. Makes it less intimidating for everyone else.
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