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Whatever you do, don't wait too long to file. There are time limits on when you can apply for benefits. Better to file now and potentially get denied than to wait and miss your chance entirely.
Good luck with your claim! Remember that Washington ESD has to prove you committed misconduct - you don't have to prove you didn't. If your absences were due to emergencies, that's a strong defense.
I've been tracking unemployment benefit rates across states for a research project and Washington consistently ranks in the top 3-5. The maximum weekly benefit amount of $999 puts it ahead of about 45 other states. But the duration is standard at 26 weeks like most places.
The frustrating thing is that even with Washington having relatively high benefits, the process to get help when you have issues is still terrible. I needed to talk to someone about my job search requirements and it took using a service called Claimyr to actually reach a human at Washington ESD.
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!
hope this works out for you! the combination of job hunting pressure plus visa timeline plus figuring out benefits is rough but you'll get through it
Final summary for you: 26 weeks maximum duration, same as any other claimant. Focus on meeting work search requirements, keep your documentation current, and file your weekly claims on time. Your visa status doesn't disqualify you from Washington ESD benefits if you've been paying in.
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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