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Bottom line - you should definitely file for unemployment even with severance. Worst case scenario is your benefits get reduced for a few weeks, but you'll still be in the system and eligible for full benefits once the severance period ends.
One thing nobody mentioned - if you don't qualify for regular unemployment, there might be other programs available depending on why you lost your job. Trade adjustment assistance, disaster unemployment, stuff like that.
Most of them have very specific eligibility requirements. Best bet is to ask when you file your claim or call Washington ESD directly.
Update: I checked my wage history and I think I'm actually in pretty good shape if something happens with this job. Had decent wages spread across 3 quarters last year. Thanks everyone for explaining how this all works!
For anyone using that claimyr service mentioned earlier - I actually tried it last week when my payment was delayed and it worked great! Got through to someone at Washington ESD in like 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours.
update us on how it goes! I'm in a similar situation and would love to hear about your experience with partial benefits.
This thread has been super helpful. I had no idea partial unemployment was even a thing. Going to look into part-time opportunities now instead of holding out for full-time only.
Mateo Rodriguez
Just want to confirm what others said - 26 weeks is the standard maximum in Washington during normal times. The only way to get more is if Extended Benefits gets triggered, which requires high unemployment rates that we're not seeing right now. Your best bet is looking into other assistance programs and possibly temporary work while continuing your job search.
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Oliver Fischer
•Thanks for the confirmation. At least now I know where I stand and can plan accordingly.
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Mateo Rodriguez
•Good luck with the job search. It's tough out there but don't give up.
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Aisha Hussain
One more thing - make sure you're tracking all your job search activities even after benefits end. If you do find work and then lose it again, you'll need those records for any future unemployment claims.
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Oliver Fischer
•Good point. I'll keep documenting everything just in case.
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Aisha Hussain
•Yeah better to have the records and not need them than the other way around.
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