Bottom line - 26 weeks maximum, file weekly, keep detailed job search records, and use the time wisely. That's the reality of the system in Washington state right now.

Just wanted to add that you should also be aware of the "waiting week" - in Washington, you typically don't get paid for your first week of unemployment. So even though you can claim for up to 26 weeks, you'll usually only receive payment for 25 weeks unless there are special circumstances. This caught me off guard when I first filed my claim a few months ago. Make sure to factor this into your financial planning!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! This thread answered way more questions than I even knew I had.

This is super helpful! I'm in a similar boat making around $1,400/week and was worried about what would happen if I got laid off. So if I understand correctly, even though we make good money, we're still capped at that $844 maximum? That's a pretty big drop from what we're used to earning. Does anyone know if there are any other programs or assistance available in Washington to help bridge that gap?

Congratulations Emily! It's so great to see someone finally get clarity on their WBA after all the confusion. Your $847 weekly amount is actually pretty solid - that should definitely help while you're job searching. Just wanted to add that once you start receiving payments, keep all your paperwork organized for tax time since unemployment benefits are taxable income. Also, if you haven't already, consider setting up direct deposit if Washington ESD offers it - saves time compared to waiting for checks in the mail. Best of luck with your job search!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this same confusion a few months ago! Emily, you're definitely not alone in being confused about WBA - Washington ESD really doesn't explain these acronyms well at all. The good news is that $847 is a solid weekly amount and will make a real difference while you're job hunting. One thing I learned the hard way is to screenshot or print your benefit determination letter that shows how they calculated your WBA - it's helpful to have for your records and if you ever need to reference it later. Also, since you mentioned you're new to this, make sure you understand the difference between your claim effective date and when you can actually start filing weekly claims. Sometimes there's a waiting period. Good luck with everything!

One more thing about ESD misconduct cases - the burden of proof is on the EMPLOYER to prove misconduct, not on your dad to disprove it. Make sure his attorney emphasizes this. The legal standard for misconduct in WA unemployment is pretty strict - it has to be a deliberate or willful disregard of the employer's interest, not just poor performance or a good faith error in judgment. This is why having an attorney who specializes in ESD cases specifically (not just any employment lawyer) is so important.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and it's so stressful! My brother got denied for "misconduct" after 8 years at his job and we're scrambling to find representation too. One thing that's helping us is keeping a detailed timeline of everything that happened leading up to his termination - dates, who said what, any witnesses present, etc. Also make sure your dad saves ALL his text messages and emails from work if he still has access to them. Has your dad thought about reaching out to any former coworkers who might be willing to provide statements supporting his side of the story? Even if they're still employed there, sometimes people will quietly help if they know the truth. The 17-day deadline is tight but you've got this! Keep us posted on how the attorney search goes.

honestly washington esd should send like a confirmation email when you stop filing or something. would make this whole thing less stressful

I went through this exact same situation last year! You're doing the right thing by being proactive about it. Just to add to what everyone else has said - when you file your final weekly claim, make sure you answer "yes" to the question about returning to work and enter your start date accurately. The system will automatically calculate your final benefit amount based on that information. Also keep in mind that if you work any partial days during your claim week, you can still receive partial benefits for the days you didn't work. But since you're starting Monday, it sounds like you'll just file normally this week and then stop filing altogether. Good luck with the new job!