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Bottom line for the original poster and anyone else reading: File immediately after job loss. Don't wait for paperwork, don't wait to think about it, don't wait for anything. Every day you wait is money lost forever.
As someone who went through this exact situation last year, I cannot stress enough - FILE IMMEDIATELY. I was laid off on a Wednesday and filed that same evening online. The whole process took maybe 30 minutes, and I'm so glad I didn't wait. The Washington ESD website is actually pretty user-friendly and walks you through everything step by step. You don't need any special paperwork from your employer to get started - just your basic info, work history, and reason for separation. The key thing to remember is that your benefit week starts the Sunday of the week you file, so every day you delay is literally money out of your pocket that you can never recover. Don't overthink it, just do it today!
The system is designed for exactly this situation. People lose jobs, find new jobs, lose jobs again - it's normal. The unemployment insurance system exists to help during these transitions, no matter how many times it happens.
I've been through this exact scenario multiple times! Since your claim from last year (February 2024) has definitely expired, you'll need to file a completely new claim. Don't stress about it - the process is straightforward and Washington ESD handles repeat filers all the time. Just make sure you have your recent employment information ready, including your separation reason from the most recent job. The 6 months you worked should easily meet the earnings requirements for a new claim. Good luck!
Hope this helps other students who are wondering about this. The key takeaway seems to be that it's possible but depends heavily on your specific circumstances and schedule.
Just applied for benefits as a part-time student after reading this thread. Fingers crossed! Will update with results.
I'm currently going through the adjudication process myself and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I had my interview 3 days ago for a layoff situation (my company had to eliminate positions due to financial restructuring). The interview was about 8 minutes and the adjudicator confirmed they already had my employer's documentation on file. Reading all these success stories, especially the pattern of 5-7 business days for straightforward layoff cases, gives me so much hope. The waiting is definitely anxiety-inducing when you're watching your savings dwindle, but seeing @DeShawn Washington and others get approved relatively quickly for similar situations helps me stay positive. I've been diligently filing my weekly claims and keeping all my documentation ready. Fingers crossed I'll have good news to share soon and can help the next person going through this stressful process!
Your timeline sounds very promising! 3 days in with an 8-minute interview and employer documentation already on file - that's exactly the kind of setup that seems to lead to quick approvals based on everyone's experiences here. The pattern really does seem consistent for layoff cases: brief interviews, employer verification already complete, and decisions coming within that 5-7 business day window. I'm rooting for you to get your approval soon! This thread has become such a valuable resource for people going through adjudication - it's amazing how sharing real timelines and outcomes helps reduce the stress of waiting. Make sure to update us when you hear back so future folks can benefit from your experience too!
This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm scheduled for my adjudication interview next Tuesday for a layoff situation (company closure due to bankruptcy). Reading through everyone's experiences, especially the consistent pattern of 5-7 business days for straightforward layoff cases, has really helped calm my nerves about what to expect. It's encouraging to see that when the employer documentation is already on file and the separation reason is clear-cut, the process seems to move much more efficiently. I've been preparing by gathering all my layoff paperwork and making sure I understand the timeline of events clearly. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - @DeShawn Washington, @Kevin Bell, and others - your success stories give hope to those of us just starting this process! I'll make sure to update this thread with my timeline once I go through it to help the next person.
Ravi Malhotra
Thanks everyone for all this info! I feel much more confident about understanding my options now. This was really helpful.
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Freya Christensen
•Same here! Didn't realize how many different situations could qualify for benefits.
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Omar Farouk
•This thread should be pinned - covers pretty much every major qualifying reason for Washington ESD unemployment benefits.
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Statiia Aarssizan
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is workplace harassment or discrimination. If you have to quit because of a hostile work environment due to harassment (sexual, racial, etc.) or discrimination, that's typically considered good cause in Washington. You'll need to document incidents and show you tried to address it through proper channels first, but it's definitely a qualifying reason that more people should know about.
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