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anyone know if this is different for government employees? i work for the state and wondering if the same rules apply
This thread is super helpful! One more question - what if you worked multiple part-time jobs during the base period? Do all those wages get combined?
I think the confusion comes from some of the federal programs during COVID that had different rules. Regular state unemployment benefits have always been available multiple times as long as you meet eligibility.
Bottom line - no limit on how many times you can collect unemployment in Washington. Just need to meet the eligibility requirements each time. Your friend was definitely wrong about the lifetime limit thing.
Don't stress too much about having every single detail perfect. You can make corrections later if needed. The important thing is to file as soon as possible because benefits are only paid from the date you file, not from when you became unemployed.
Thanks everyone for all this helpful information! I feel much more prepared now. Going to gather all my documents this weekend and file on Monday. Appreciate the detailed responses.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful information in this thread. I'm in a similar situation and this has given me a much better understanding of what to expect.
FINAL UPDATE: Talked to Washington ESD today (finally got through!) and they confirmed that I can apply for unemployment as long as I have medical clearance stating I'm able to work. Going to get that documentation from my doctor next week and then file my claim. Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement!
QuantumQuasar
If you're still having trouble getting through to Washington ESD, I had success with Claimyr too. They got me connected to an agent who walked me through my benefit calculation and answered all my questions. Worth trying if you need to talk to someone directly.
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CosmicCadet
•Multiple people have mentioned Claimyr now. I might give that a try if I run into issues after filing.
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Liam McGuire
the hardest part isn't figuring out how much you'll get, it's actually getting washington esd to process your claim without delays. be prepared for potential issues and have backup plans for paying bills
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CosmicCadet
•That's what I'm worried about. I have some savings but not enough for months of delays.
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Amara Eze
•Most claims go through fine, don't stress too much about it before you even file
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