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Best of luck with whatever you decide! These situations are never easy but it sounds like you're being smart about researching your options first.
Just a reminder to everyone in similar situations - always be completely honest on your unemployment application and weekly claims. Trying to hide workers comp payments or misrepresenting your work restrictions will only cause bigger problems down the road.
This thread is depressing but helpful. At least I know I'm not the only one dealing with this nightmare. Washington ESD really needs to get their act together.
Definitely helpful to know it's not just me, but frustrating that so many people are going through this.
The fact that services like Claimyr even need to exist shows how broken the system is.
Update us when you figure out what's going on! I'm in a similar situation and want to know what worked for you.
Seriously consider Claimyr if the other suggestions don't work - getting an actual person on the phone changes everything.
FYI the Washington ESD website has all this information but it's buried in different sections. The maximum benefit amount is posted in their benefits table but you have to dig around to find it. Would be nice if they made it more prominent since it's such a common question.
One last thing - if you think your benefit calculation is wrong, you can appeal it. I had to do this when they miscalculated my wages from one employer. Took a few weeks but they corrected it and I got back pay for the difference.
BTW, when you do file your claim, make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months ready. They'll ask for details about every job you had during the base period.
I've been through this process twice now and the hardest part is always getting through to someone at Washington ESD when you have questions. That Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier really does help with that - I used it for my second claim when I needed to update my information.
PixelWarrior
The online portal is helpful when it works but the user interface is pretty outdated. You'd think Washington ESD would modernize their website design at some point.
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CyberNinja
•the SecureAccess Washington site looks like it was designed in 2005
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Diego Ramirez
•Function over form I guess, but yeah it could definitely use a visual update. At least the important information is there once you figure out how to navigate it.
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Amara Adebayo
Overall I think the system has more safeguards now but is also more bureaucratic. Better fraud prevention but harder for legitimate claimants to get help when they need it. Technology has solved some problems but created others.
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Sean O'Connor
•Which is why services like Claimyr exist now - to bridge the gap when you can't reach Washington ESD through normal channels. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person about your specific situation.
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Amara Adebayo
•Makes sense. The system has gotten so complex that navigating it on your own can be really challenging, especially if you run into problems.
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