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Make sure you have your bank account info ready for direct deposit. Much faster than waiting for checks in the mail.
One last thing - if you get denied for any reason, don't panic. You can appeal the decision. The appeals process gives you a chance to explain your situation to a judge.
oh and one more thing - if you've worked in other states recently, you might need to file an interstate claim. washington esd can combine wages from other states if needed. this gets complicated so you might need to call them about it
Based on what you've described - laid off from full-time work after 18 months at $22/hour - you should definitely qualify for unemployment benefits. The key is to file as soon as possible and make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still being processed. Good luck!
Bottom line - you won't know for sure until you apply. The online application isn't too bad and Washington ESD will let you know pretty quickly if you're eligible. Don't stress too much about it.
Don't forget that unemployment insurance also includes reemployment services. WorkSource offices can help with job search assistance, resume writing, interviewing skills, and sometimes training programs.
Bottom line - unemployment insurance is a legitimate benefit that workers have earned through their employment. It's not charity or welfare, it's insurance. Your nephew shouldn't feel bad about using it if he qualifies.
NebulaNinja
If you do decide to quit and apply for benefits, be prepared for the adjudication process if they question your reason for leaving. I had to wait 6 weeks for them to make a decision on my claim, and that was with a pretty clear-cut case of workplace harassment.
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NebulaNinja
•Yes, but it was stressful not knowing. During adjudication they contacted my former employer and interviewed me about the situation.
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Ravi Patel
•This is another situation where being able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD helps. I used Claimyr to check on my adjudication status when I was waiting for a decision.
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Luca Russo
Bottom line: your previous 2 years of work should definitely count toward qualifying, but quitting without rock-solid documentation of good cause is risky. Maybe try to transfer to a different department or document issues before making any decisions?
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StardustSeeker
•Transfer isn't really an option at this small company, but you're right about documenting everything. I'll start keeping records of incidents starting today.
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Paolo Marino
•Smart approach. Having contemporaneous documentation is much stronger than trying to remember events later during an appeal.
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