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yeah this thread has been super helpful. i wish i had found something like this when i was starting out with unemployment
Been through this process twice now and honestly the hardest part is always getting accurate information when you have questions. The website has a lot of info but sometimes you really need to talk to a human.
One last thing to remember - your benefit amount might change if you have a break in your claim and reopen it later. Washington ESD might recalculate based on more recent wage information.
Just to add one more perspective - I collected the full 26 weeks and it was a lifesaver. Don't let the horror stories scare you too much. If you're honest about everything and follow the rules, the system generally works as intended.
Good luck with your claim! File as soon as you can and be patient with the process. 26 weeks should give you enough time to find something good if you stay focused on your job search.
Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - file immediately. There's literally no benefit to waiting and it just delays everything. I see people make this mistake all the time and regret it later.
For what it's worth, I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier when I was stuck in adjudication hell for my quit situation. Took about 3 weeks but they finally got me connected to someone who could actually explain what documents I needed. Saved me months of waiting around wondering what was happening.
Ravi Patel
One thing to keep in mind is that your first payment might be delayed if they need to verify your employment. Have your pay stubs and W-2s ready in case they ask for documentation.
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Lena Müller
•I have all my pay stubs saved digitally. Should I upload them when I file or wait until they ask?
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Ravi Patel
•Wait until they ask. The system usually processes claims without additional documentation unless there's a red flag.
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Astrid Bergström
Made $24/hour and got $612 per week. Pretty fair considering I was supporting a family. The key is filing immediately after your last day of work and staying on top of your weekly claims. Miss one week and you lose that week's benefits permanently.
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Lena Müller
•Thanks for the real numbers. That gives me a good idea of what to expect.
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Astrid Bergström
•No problem. Also set up direct deposit when you file - checks take forever to arrive by mail.
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