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Last piece of advice - screenshot or save any text messages, emails, or other communications you have related to the problems at your old job. Digital evidence can disappear and you want to preserve everything while you still have access to it.
Thanks everyone for all the advice! I'm feeling much more hopeful about this now. Going to file my claim this weekend and start gathering documentation. Will update you all on how it goes.
Wishing you the best! And remember that Claimyr option if you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD.
One more thing - make sure you understand the difference between your weekly benefit amount and your maximum benefit amount. Your weekly amount is what you get each week, but there's also a total limit on how much you can collect overall.
Bottom line - you get paid weekly as long as you file your weekly claims on time and don't have any issues. It's not as complicated as it seems at first, just takes some getting used to.
File online if at all possible. The phone system for filing claims is even worse than calling for help. Online is much more reliable.
The system works, it's just slow and bureaucratic. Most people who deserve benefits eventually get them, it just takes patience.
Final tip: if your claim does get approved, you'll get a monetary determination letter that shows your weekly benefit amount and how many weeks you're eligible for. Keep that letter safe - you'll need it for reference throughout your claim period.
Arjun Patel
For anyone still confused about this, I found a benefit calculator on some third-party website that was pretty accurate. Just plugged in my wages and it estimated my weekly amount within a few dollars of what Washington ESD calculated.
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Jade Lopez
•Can you share the link to that calculator?
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Arjun Patel
•I don't remember the exact site but if you search for 'Washington unemployment calculator' you should find several options.
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Tony Brooks
Bottom line - if you're eligible, file as soon as possible. The benefit amount is what it is based on your wages, but at least it's something to help pay the bills while you're looking for work.
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Mohammed Khan
•Agreed, thanks everyone for all the helpful information. I feel much more confident about filing now.
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Ella rollingthunder87
•Good luck with your claim! The system has its frustrations but the benefits do help when you need them.
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