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One last thing about getting help - if you do run into problems with Washington ESD and can't reach them by phone, Claimyr has been a lifesaver for a lot of people. They help you actually get through to a human being when you need answers.
You should be all set with regular UI. File online, keep up with your weekly claims, do your job searches, and you'll get through this fine. Washington ESD's system works for most people despite all the complaints you hear.
Pro tip: if you're really worried about the delay, you can always try reaching out through the contact form on the Washington ESD website. Sometimes they respond faster to written inquiries than phone calls.
I tried that too but never got a response. That's actually why I ended up trying Claimyr - at least with them I could get through to talk to a real person about what was causing my delay.
For what it's worth, my first unemployment payment came exactly 14 days after my claim was approved. It showed up on a Wednesday morning via direct deposit. Hang in there!
Seriously just stop reading threads and go file your claim! Every hour you spend researching is costing you money. The application is not nearly as complicated as people make it sound.
One last tip: take screenshots of your confirmation screens when you submit your application. Having that documentation can be helpful if there are any issues later.
Final summary for anyone still reading: Weekly benefit = (highest quarter wages ÷ 26) × 3.85%, capped at $999 maximum, $295 minimum. You need sufficient wages in your base period to qualify. Benefits are taxable and last up to 26 weeks.
Hope this thread helps other people understand Washington ESD benefit calculations better. The system can be confusing but the math is pretty straightforward once you know the formula.
Amina Diop
One more thing - if you worked in multiple states during your base period, you might need to file an interstate claim. That adds another layer of complexity to the benefit calculation.
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Nia Williams
•Fortunately I only worked in Washington, but good to know.
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Oliver Schmidt
•Interstate claims are a whole different beast. Been there, not fun.
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Natasha Volkov
My advice is just apply and let Washington ESD do the calculation. You'll get a determination letter that breaks down exactly how they calculated your benefits. Trying to figure it out beforehand isn't worth the stress.
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Javier Torres
•That's what I did. The determination letter was actually pretty clear once I had it in front of me.
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Emma Wilson
•Plus if you disagree with their calculation, you can always appeal and request a hearing.
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