Washington
Laid off in Washington? Start here.
Who to call, what Washington law says about your notice, and the free state programs most people never hear about. Everything here is free, and every fact has its source at the bottom.
Who to call
Washington's free help, in one place.
Rapid Response is the state team that steps in around a layoff. The job center is where you sign up for career help and training. Unemployment is its own office.
- Rapid Response
- Washington State Employment Security Department360-522-0705ESD layoff assistance
- Unemployment
- Washington Employment Security Department1-800-318-6022File a claimBefore you file, check how Washington treats severance with the Unemployment Check.
- Job center near you
- Find an American Job Center (search by ZIP code)
The Rapid Response team works with employers too, so say up front that you're a worker who was laid off and ask where to start. You don't need your employer's permission.
Your notice
Washington has its own layoff-notice law.
Since July 2025, Washington's own law requires 60 days' notice when 50 or more full-time workers at a site lose their jobs in a closing or mass layoff, including temporary layoffs and big cuts to hours.
RCW 49.45 · Washington Employment Security Department, WARN requirements
See recent Washington notices on PinkSlipped's Layoff Wire.
Only in Washington
What's different here.
Your notice goes to a local team
The Employment Security Department passes each notice to the Rapid Response team in one of the state's 12 workforce areas, which reaches out to set up help.
Before the first call
Four free checks, in the order you'll need them.
They work for Washington and every other state, and none of them asks for your name.
- 1Unemployment CheckWhen to file, and the weeks severance may offset
- 2Runway CheckKnow your runway in ten minutes
- 3Insurance CheckCOBRA or the Marketplace: what coverage actually costs
- 4401(k) CheckWhat touching the 401(k) really costs
Your Plan puts the Washington calls in the right week, next to your unemployment claim and your severance deadlines. Build my free Plan
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, State Rapid Response Coordinators
- U.S. Department of Labor, How Do I File for Unemployment Insurance?
- Washington Employment Security Department, WARN requirements
- Washington ESD, Layoff assistance
Last reviewed October 26, 2026. Contacts and programs change; Washington's job center has the final word.
General education, not legal advice. PinkSlipped isn't affiliated with the U.S. Department of Labor or any state agency.