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If you do end up needing to contact Washington ESD during the process and can't get through on the phone, I had good luck with Claimyr recently. They helped me reach an adjudicator when my quit claim was stuck in review. Way better than spending hours on hold or getting disconnected.
Good luck with whatever you decide. Just remember that unemployment benefits are temporary - try to line up your next job as quickly as possible even if you do qualify. The job market is still pretty competitive right now.
One thing to watch out for - make sure you apply for DUA within the deadline. I think it's 30 days from when the disaster assistance period begins, but double-check that. Missing the deadline could disqualify you entirely.
Good point. I applied pretty quickly after the disaster declaration but I didn't realize there was a strict deadline. That could trip people up.
Just wanted to add that if you're self-employed or a contractor, DUA might be your only option since you probably don't qualify for regular UI. The benefit calculation works differently for self-employed folks though - they use your tax returns to figure out your weekly amount.
This is important info. A lot of gig workers and contractors don't realize they might qualify for disaster unemployment when they wouldn't normally get regular unemployment benefits.
The amount you get also depends on how many weeks you're eligible for. Higher earners might get more money per week but fewer total weeks of benefits.
Bottom line: expect roughly half your weekly wage up to $999/week, paid weekly after you file your weekly claim. File ASAP after losing your job because there's a waiting week and you want to get the process started.
And remember, if you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD, don't hesitate to use tools like Claimyr to get through their phone system.
Healthcare workers faced unique challenges during COVID layoffs and now staffing shortages. Burnout is causing people to leave the field entirely which creates more unemployment in other sectors when facilities close.
Bottom line is unemployment can affect anyone but the system isn't equally accessible to everyone. Some people have resources and knowledge to navigate it better than others.
Which is why services like Claimyr are helpful - they level the playing field a bit by handling the phone maze for you. Check claimyr.com if you need help reaching Washington ESD.
Aisha Mahmood
Been there! Filed in September and my weekly benefit amount ended up being $487. The calculation was pretty straightforward once I got my determination letter - they used my Q2 wages of $12,662 divided by 26 weeks. Just had to be patient and wait for the paperwork.
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Chloe Robinson
•That's helpful to know! How long did it take from filing to getting your first payment?
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Aisha Mahmood
•About 3 weeks total. One week for the determination letter, then had to wait for the debit card to arrive, then filed my first weekly claim and got paid the following week.
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Ethan Moore
make sure you keep track of all your job search activities from day one. washington esd can audit you anytime and if you don't have proper documentation they can make you pay back everything. happened to my neighbor last year
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Chloe Robinson
•What kind of documentation do they want for job search activities?
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Diego Chavez
•You need to log each job contact with the employer name, contact method, date, and position applied for. Keep copies of applications, emails, and any responses you receive.
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