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For what it's worth, my unemployment covered about 60% of what I was making before. It's not enough to live comfortably but it keeps you afloat while job hunting. The key is to file your weekly claims on time and keep looking for work.
Just to clarify for anyone reading this later - the exact formula for 2025 is: (Highest quarter wages ÷ 26) × 0.0385 + $34 = weekly benefit amount. But remember there's a minimum of $304 and maximum of $999 per week. Plus dependent allowances if you qualify.
I remember being nervous about this same question when I first lost my job after getting my green card. Turns out I was worrying for nothing. Washington ESD treated me just like any other applicant and I got my benefits without any delays.
The bottom line is that getting fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment. File your claim, be honest about what happened, and don't let them scare you out of benefits you've earned. The system is there to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, which sounds like your situation.
If you need help navigating the phone system to check on your claim status, that Claimyr service mentioned earlier really does work. I was skeptical at first but it saved me so much frustration trying to get through to Washington ESD during my adjudication period.
One more plug for Claimyr - I used it when my claim was stuck and found out there was a simple issue with my work search log format that was holding everything up. Sometimes you just need to talk to a human to get answers.
Bottom line - 2-3 weeks is normal for straightforward cases, but don't panic if it takes a bit longer. Keep filing your weekly claims, keep job searching, and if you hit the 3-week mark without any communication, then it's time to be more proactive about getting answers.
Mateo Warren
Update from my end - I successfully used Claimyr again this week to get through to Washington ESD about a different issue. Still impressed with how much time and frustration it saves compared to calling myself. Worth checking out their demo if you're on the fence about trying it.
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Jackson Carter
•I might try this too. I've been putting off calling Washington ESD because I know it'll take hours.
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Mateo Warren
•That's exactly why I started using them. Life's too short to spend entire days on hold with government agencies.
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Lilah Brooks
For anyone following this thread, remember that even if your UI benefits run out, you should still report any income you earn to Washington ESD if you end up filing a new claim later. They track all of this and it can affect your eligibility.
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Eli Butler
•Good reminder. I'll make sure to keep records of everything going forward.
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