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Bottom line: you can apply for unemployment benefits in Washington whenever you become unemployed and meet the eligibility requirements. There's no waiting period between claims and no lifetime limit. Just make sure you have qualifying wages in your base period.
Washington's unemployment system has gotten better over the years but still has its issues. The benefit calculator and online filing are pretty straightforward though.
Bottom line - $999 is the max, most people get less based on their actual earnings, and you need to maintain eligibility requirements to keep receiving benefits. File your claim if you think you qualify and let ESD calculate your exact amount.
Has anyone dealt with overpayment issues? I'm worried I might have made a mistake on one of my weekly claims and don't want to end up owing money back.
This thread has been super helpful! I had no idea the max was that high. Going to file my claim this week now that I understand what to expect.
perfect timing on this thread - i literally just finished my taxes and was second-guessing how i reported my UI benefits. sounds like i did it right by putting them in the unearned income section instead of with my wages
this whole discussion has been really educational. i never realized there were so many different ways income gets classified and why it matters. definitely going to be more careful about how i fill out forms going forward
Dylan Baskin
Last bit of advice - if you do get approved, don't slack off on the job search requirements. Washington ESD does audit people and if they find you weren't really looking for work, they can make you pay back all the benefits plus penalties. Take it seriously.
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Lauren Wood
•This happened to my brother-in-law. He got lazy with his job search documentation and ended up owing like $8,000 back to the state. Not worth it.
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Sarah Ali
•Yikes! I'll definitely keep detailed records. Thanks for the warning.
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Ellie Lopez
The whole process really isn't as scary as it seems once you get started. Just take it step by step and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. The Washington ESD website has pretty good guides too.
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Sarah Ali
•Thank you everyone for all the detailed info! I feel much more prepared now if I do end up needing to file for unemployment.
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Chad Winthrope
•You're welcome! This forum is great for getting real-world advice about dealing with Washington ESD. Good luck with your job situation!
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