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The only people who might judge you for filing unemployment are people who have never been in that situation themselves. And their opinions don't matter anyway.
Just wanted to add that when I had trouble reaching Washington ESD about my weekly claims, Claimyr really helped me get connected quickly. Much better than spending hours on hold.
Don't overthink it too much. The system is designed to handle people in your exact situation. File as soon as you can after your last day, be honest about everything, and keep doing your weekly claims. Most people don't have major issues if they follow the basic rules.
For what it's worth, Washington's unemployment benefits are pretty decent compared to other states. The maximum weekly benefit of $1015 is higher than most places. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week or you'll lose those payments.
If anyone is still confused about the calculation, I found this helpful: take your total wages from your highest earning quarter in the base period, divide by 26, and that's roughly your weekly benefit (subject to the min/max limits). The 'percentage' varies by person but it usually works out to 40-55% of your average weekly pay.
Collins Angel
The other thing to remember is that you can work part-time while collecting unemployment in Washington, but you need to report any wages you earn each week. They'll reduce your benefit amount accordingly but you won't lose benefits entirely as long as you're under certain thresholds.
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Thais Soares
•That's good to know! So I could take a temporary part-time job while looking for something full-time?
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Collins Angel
•Exactly! Just make sure to report those wages accurately when you file your weekly claims. Being dishonest about wages can get you disqualified and create overpayment issues.
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Marcelle Drum
Based on what you described with your work history, you should definitely qualify. Two jobs with consistent hours over most of the year probably puts you well over the wage requirements. Go ahead and file your claim - worst case scenario they say no, but I think you'll be approved.
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Thais Soares
•Thanks for the encouragement! I'm going to gather all my employment info and file this weekend.
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Nalani Liu
•Good plan! And remember you can always call Washington ESD if you have questions after filing, though you might want to use a service like Claimyr to actually get through to someone.
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