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Also check if your state has any additional pregnancy-related support programs. Washington has some good family support services that might help supplement your unemployment benefits.
Good luck with your claim! The process can be confusing but don't give up. You have rights and protections, even while pregnant. Keep all your documentation and don't hesitate to ask for help if you get stuck.
I work in HR and deal with Washington ESD calculations for our laid-off employees. The formula is definitely the two highest quarters divided by 52 weeks. But there are minimum and maximum amounts that can override the calculation.
This whole thread has been super helpful! I was totally confused about how Washington ESD calculated my $623 weekly amount but now I understand it's based on my two highest quarters. Going to dig up my pay stubs and do the math myself.
The 26-week thing is pretty standard across most states. What varies is the weekly amount and total you can collect based on your previous earnings. Washington actually has pretty decent benefits compared to some other states.
Just remember that once your benefit year expires (52 weeks from when you first filed), you'd have to file a new claim if you're still unemployed. But you'd need to have worked and earned wages since your last claim to qualify for a new benefit year.
Quick practical tip: when you write your appeal statement, use the phrase 'constructive discharge' or 'constructive dismissal' - it's the legal term for when working conditions become so bad you have no choice but to quit. Hearing officers recognize this terminology.
Final update from me - I actually got through to Washington ESD this morning using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. The agent confirmed that hour reductions can qualify as good cause and walked me through what I need for my appeal. Definitely filing it this week!
Mei Zhang
For anyone else reading this later, I really can't recommend Claimyr enough if you run into issues. Getting through to ESD directly is nearly impossible, but having someone who can actually reach them makes all the difference when you have questions or problems.
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Ava Martinez
•Bookmarking this thread. Sounds like I might need that service when my claim runs out next month.
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Mei Zhang
•Yeah, definitely worth knowing about ahead of time. Wish I had found it sooner.
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AstroAce
Final update: Got my new claim submitted! Says it will take 2-3 weeks to process. Thanks everyone for walking me through this. Much less scary when you know what to expect.
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Amara Oluwaseyi
•Awesome! Make sure you file your weekly claims even while it's processing.
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AstroAce
•Will do. Fingers crossed it goes smoothly from here.
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