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One thing to watch out for - if you turn down suitable work during your 26 weeks, Washington ESD can disqualify you and cut off your benefits early. So be careful about being too picky.
Bottom line - you get 26 weeks max, use them wisely, keep good records, and hopefully you'll find something great before you need all of them. Good luck with your job search!
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread! I feel much more confident about what to expect for my weekly benefit amount now. The $500 estimate based on my earnings looks about right.
If your issue is urgent, you might also try contacting your state representative's office. They sometimes have direct lines to Washington ESD that can help expedite things.
Bottom line: 833-572-8400 is the right number but be prepared for a long wait or multiple attempts. The Washington ESD phone system is just overwhelmed. Those third-party calling services like Claimyr might be worth it if you value your time and sanity.
Thanks everyone for all the advice! I'll try calling early tomorrow morning and if that doesn't work I might look into that Claimyr thing.
One final thought - if you do end up needing to call Washington ESD for any reason and can't get through, definitely check out that Claimyr service. It's been a game changer for actually reaching agents when you need help.
I second this recommendation. Used Claimyr last month when I had an issue with my weekly claim and it worked great.
Update: Just finished filing my initial claim online! It was actually much easier than I expected. Thanks everyone for pushing me to just do it. Now I wait and see what happens.
CosmicCadet
Just remember that even if you get approved, there's usually a waiting week before you receive your first payment. Budget accordingly!
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Ava Thompson
•Wait, so there's a delay before the first payment? How long does it typically take?
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CosmicCadet
•The waiting week is the first week you file. You won't get paid for that week, but if you're eligible, you'll start getting payments for the following weeks.
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Chloe Harris
I was skeptical about using Claimyr but honestly it saved me so much time and frustration. When you're dealing with unemployment stress, the last thing you need is spending all day trying to get through to Washington ESD.
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Diego Mendoza
•How much does it cost though? I'm already tight on money.
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Chloe Harris
•They have different options but honestly the time and stress it saves is worth it. You can check their website for current info - claimyr.com.
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