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For anyone else reading this - if you need to contact Washington ESD about any of these programs and can't get through on the phone, I've had good luck with Claimyr too. Much easier than trying to call repeatedly throughout the day.
Bottom line: paid family leave = you have a job, taking time off for family reasons. Unemployment = you don't have a job, looking for work. Completely different situations and benefit programs.
been there done that. employer blamed wage increases but then gave management bonuses the same quarter. file your partial claim asap and don't worry about the politics
quick question - do you have to do job searches for partial unemployment claims like you do for regular claims?
I know someone mentioned Claimyr earlier for getting through to Washington ESD. I used them too when I had questions about my benefit duration and they were really helpful. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person to get clear answers.
Bottom line: you get 26 weeks maximum of regular unemployment benefits in Washington. File your weekly claims on time, do your job search activities, and keep good records. Don't overthink it - thousands of people go through this process successfully every year.
Based on everything you've shared, it sounds like your best bet is to appeal and focus on the medical reason for your attendance issues. Document everything and consider getting a statement from your doctor if possible.
Update us on how your appeal goes! It helps other people in similar situations to hear about real experiences with the process.
Gianna Scott
One more vote for filing immediately! I was laid off on a Friday and filed that same day. Had my first payment within 10 days. The key is not to overthink it - just file as soon as you're eligible.
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Nina Chan
•10 days is pretty fast! Gives me hope that I won't be waiting too long for my first payment.
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Gianna Scott
•Yeah, I was surprised how quick it was. I think filing immediately and having all my info correct helped speed things up.
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Alfredo Lugo
Last thing I'll add - if you run into any problems during the application process or need to talk to someone at Washington ESD afterward, don't give up after a few failed phone calls. Keep trying different times of day, or look into services like Claimyr that can help you get through to an actual person.
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Sydney Torres
•This is so true. I almost gave up trying to reach them about a question on my claim. Finally got through and it was a simple fix that took 5 minutes once I talked to the right person.
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Alfredo Lugo
•Exactly! Most issues are pretty straightforward once you can actually talk to someone who knows the system.
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