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For what it's worth, I think Washington ESD benefit calculations are intentionally confusing so people don't question them. The system is set up to minimize payouts, not to help claimants understand their rights.
That's a bit cynical, but I understand the frustration. The formulas are complex because they're trying to balance multiple policy goals - preventing fraud, ensuring equity, and managing the trust fund.
Thanks everyone for all the input. I think I need to get my actual wage records from Washington ESD and then have someone walk me through the calculation. It sounds like there are too many variables for me to figure out on my own.
That's probably the best approach. Once you have the actual wage data they used, the calculation should be more straightforward.
For what it's worth, 4 months of work plus your previous job should definitely be enough to qualify wage-wise. The fact that you're thinking ahead shows you're being responsible about it. Most people don't even know these requirements exist until they're already unemployed.
The bottom line is don't stress too much about the work duration - focus on whether your total wages during the base period meet the requirements. Sounds like you should be fine based on what you've described.
Bottom line is plan for 26 weeks max and don't count on extensions. Use the time wisely to not just apply for jobs but also network and maybe learn new skills. The clock is ticking from day one.
If anyone's having trouble getting specific answers about their claim duration, I had success using Claimyr recently. They got me connected to an actual Washington ESD rep who could look up my exact benefit weeks remaining.
One more tip - make sure Washington ESD has all your employers from your base period. Sometimes they miss employers and you have to provide additional wage information to get the correct calculation.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! This thread has been way more useful than the Washington ESD website for understanding how the calculation works.
Mary Bates
I had a friend who used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier when she couldn't get through to Washington ESD about her adjudication. She said it was really easy to use and she finally got to talk to someone who could explain what was happening with her claim.
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Elliott luviBorBatman
•That might be worth looking into if I run into problems getting information about my claim status.
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Mary Bates
•Yeah, especially if your claim goes into adjudication and you need updates. The regular phone lines are basically impossible to get through on.
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Clay blendedgen
Bottom line: being fired does NOT automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits in Washington. Performance issues, inability to do the job, or lack of skills are generally not considered misconduct. File your claim and let Washington ESD sort it out.
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Elliott luviBorBatman
•This whole thread has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident about filing now.
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Lena Schultz
•That's what these forums are for! Hope everything works out for you.
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