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The bottom line is don't let the length of time at your current job discourage you from applying if you become unemployed. Your previous work history is what really matters for eligibility in Washington.
Just to summarize for anyone else reading this: Washington ESD doesn't require any minimum employment period at your current job. They look at your wages over the past 4-5 quarters from ALL qualifying employers to determine monetary eligibility.
Just remember that even if your initial claim takes a while to process, you'll get back pay for all the weeks you were eligible once it's approved. So keep filing those weekly claims even if you're not getting paid yet.
Bottom line - plan for 2-4 weeks for your first payment, file your weekly claims religiously starting this Sunday, keep checking your online account for any requests for information, and don't panic if it takes longer than you hope. The system works but it's not fast.
Just to add another data point - I received 12 weeks severance and filed immediately. Washington ESD processed my claim quickly and I was able to start benefits right when severance ended. No adjudication, no delays. Being proactive definitely paid off.
For anyone still reading this thread - the Washington ESD handbook is really clear about this. You should file immediately after job loss regardless of severance. The system is designed to handle these situations and will calculate your eligibility week by week based on what you report.
One more thing - if you think there's an error in how many weeks you were awarded, you can appeal the determination. Don't just accept it if you think you should qualify for more weeks based on your work history.
Reading all this makes me grateful I found work after only 12 weeks on unemployment. The stress of watching those weeks count down must be intense. Good luck to everyone still searching!
Savanna Franklin
Just want to echo what others have said about being completely honest with your reporting. I've been working part-time retail while collecting benefits for 3 months and haven't had any issues because I report everything accurately. The system actually works pretty well if you follow the rules.
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Landon Morgan
•Thanks for the reassurance! It sounds like as long as I'm honest and consistent with reporting, I should be fine.
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Juan Moreno
•Exactly. The people who get in trouble are usually the ones trying to game the system somehow.
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Amy Fleming
One last tip - keep good records of your work hours and earnings. I use a simple notebook to write down each shift and how much I made. If Washington ESD ever questions anything, you'll have documentation to back up what you reported.
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Landon Morgan
•Great idea! I'll start keeping better track starting this week.
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Alice Pierce
•I use a phone app to track mine. Makes it easy to add up weekly totals when I file my claim.
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