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For what it's worth, I just filed my claim yesterday and the online system only asked me to upload pay stubs if there were wage discrepancies. Since my employer reported everything correctly, I didn't need to provide any additional documentation. The system is pretty smart about matching up wage records.
Bottom line from reading all these responses: gather 12-18 months of pay stubs from all your jobs, make copies or scan them, have them ready when you file, but don't panic if you don't have every single one. Washington ESD has most wage information already and will let you know if they need additional documentation.
This whole conversation makes me want to try calling Washington ESD one more time to double-check there aren't any programs I missed. But honestly after reading about that Claimyr service earlier, I might just use that instead of wasting my whole day on hold.
The bottom line is Washington State just doesn't have extended benefits right now. During recessions sometimes the federal government activates Extended Benefits (EB) but we're not in that situation currently. Your best bet is honestly job training programs or finding some kind of work to establish a new claim.
Been there done that. Filed for unemployment twice in the past 5 years. First time I got $680/week, second time I got $742/week because my wages had gone up. The system actually works pretty well once you get through the initial application process.
Based on what you've said about your wages, I'd estimate you'll get somewhere between $580-650 per week. That's assuming you worked consistently and didn't have any gaps in employment. The exact amount depends on the quarterly breakdown of your earnings.
FYI - if you're close to running out and still haven't found work, you might want to look into other assistance programs like SNAP or housing assistance. Washington ESD won't extend your unemployment but there are other safety nets available.
I tried using Claimyr when I needed to check on my remaining benefit weeks and it was actually pretty smooth. Got connected to a Washington ESD rep within about 20 minutes instead of spending hours redialing. Sometimes paying for convenience is worth it when you're stressed about your claim status.
Heather Tyson
Just to add another perspective - I had a friend who tried to file for unemployment while still technically on disability and it created a huge mess. Took months to sort out and she almost had to pay back benefits. Really recommend getting everything sorted with your medical situation first.
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Raul Neal
•Yeah those overpayment notices are no joke. Better to be cautious.
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Juan Moreno
•Which is why talking to an actual Washington ESD agent is so important. They can tell you exactly what applies to your situation instead of guessing.
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Jenna Sloan
Bottom line - you can't collect unemployment if you're not able and available for work. If your doctor hasn't cleared you to work, you're probably not eligible yet. Wait until you have medical clearance or at least documentation that you can perform some types of work.
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Freya Ross
•That makes sense. I'll wait until I have clearer medical guidance before applying.
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Christian Burns
•Smart move. Better safe than sorry with these things.
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