The bottom line is that temp workers pay into unemployment insurance just like everyone else, so you're entitled to benefits when you're out of work. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. File your claim, be honest about your situation, and follow the rules for maintaining benefits.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when my temp assignment at a warehouse ended suddenly. Filed with Washington ESD and got approved within 2 weeks. The key thing I learned is to make sure you're actively looking for work - not just waiting for the temp agency to call. I registered with multiple agencies and applied to permanent jobs too, which helped me meet the job search requirements. Also keep all your paystubs from the temp work as proof of employment history. The whole process was actually pretty straightforward once I understood that temp workers have the same rights to unemployment benefits as regular employees.

Final thought - if anyone needs to actually speak with Washington ESD about their specific situation, seriously consider using Claimyr. I know I keep mentioning it but it's the only thing that worked for me when I needed real answers. Way better than the phone runaround.

I'm in a similar situation and just want to share what I learned from calling Washington ESD last week. If you haven't worked at all during your benefit year, you won't qualify for a new regular UI claim. However, they told me to check if I might be eligible for any federal extension programs that could still be available. Also, make sure you apply for other assistance programs like SNAP and housing help BEFORE your UI ends - don't wait until after. The application process can take weeks and you don't want a gap in support. Hang in there, this is such a stressful time but you're not alone in dealing with this.

Bottom line: $25K in earnings across multiple quarters should definitely qualify you in Washington. Stop stressing and just file the claim!

Good luck with your application! From everything you've described, you should definitely qualify. I went through a similar situation last year with part-time work and had no issues getting approved. The Washington ESD system is pretty straightforward once you get started. Just make sure to file your weekly claims on time once you're approved - that's the part people sometimes mess up. Let us know how it goes!

To wrap this up - the key takeaway is that in Washington state, unemployment insurance is funded entirely by employer contributions. Employees don't pay unemployment taxes through payroll deductions, but they're still fully covered for benefits if they become unemployed and meet the eligibility requirements. Pretty straightforward once you know how it works!

This is such valuable information! As someone who just moved to Washington from California, I had the same confusion about unemployment taxes. In CA I remember seeing State Disability Insurance (SDI) deductions on my paystub, so I was expecting something similar here. It's refreshing to know that Washington keeps it simple for employees - no state income tax, no employee unemployment contributions, and apparently better unemployment benefits than most states. Really appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge here!

I wish ESD would stop using these vague status terms without explaining what they mean anywhere on their website! My neighbor works for DSHS and she says they get constant calls from people confused about their claim status because the terminology is so unclear. Active should definitely mean approved though, so hopefully you'll see money soon!

Congratulations on getting out of adjudication! From what I've seen in this community, "Active" status is generally a good sign that your claim has been approved. I went through something similar last fall - was stuck in adjudication for about 5 weeks, then one morning my status switched to Active and I received my first payment 3 days later. The backpay for all those weeks I was waiting came through at the same time too, which was such a huge relief. Just keep filing your weekly claims and hopefully you'll see those payments hit your account soon. The waiting is the worst part, but it sounds like you're finally through it!