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Also remember you have to do job search activities even while your claim is being processed, so start keeping track of where you apply from day one.
Filed mine 3 days after being laid off and regretted waiting even that long. Every single person I talked to at Washington ESD said the same thing - file immediately. There's literally no downside to filing early.
During the last recession I remember Washington ESD extending their phone hours and adding weekend service. Not sure if they're doing that now but it might be worth checking their website for current hours.
Bottom line is recession or not, if you're eligible for Washington ESD benefits you'll get them. The processing might be slower but the money will come. Just stay on top of your weekly certifications and job search requirements.
I'm curious how this turns out. Please update us after your hearing if you can. These stories help other people going through the same thing.
Good luck with your hearing! It sounds like you have a solid case if you can document the hostile work environment and your attempts to resolve it. Stay calm and stick to the facts.
Thank you! I'm still nervous but feel much better about my chances after reading all these responses.
If you need help getting through to Washington ESD about anything else related to your case, definitely check out that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. They were a lifesaver when I needed to speak with someone about my appeal status.
Remember that your benefit amount also determines how long you can collect - you get a certain number of weeks based on your total benefit year amount divided by your weekly benefit.
Bottom line: if you think Washington ESD made an error, appeal it. If the calculation seems right based on your actual earnings during the base period, that's probably what you'll get. Either way, file your weekly claims on time to avoid delays.
Hattie Carson
One more thing - if you're thinking about going back to school or training, there are some programs that can extend your benefits or change your requirements. Worth looking into if you're considering a career change.
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Lorenzo McCormick
•Interesting! I hadn't thought about training programs. Where would I find info about those?
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Hattie Carson
•WorkSourceWA has information about approved training programs. Some let you collect benefits while in training instead of doing job searches.
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Destiny Bryant
Summary for OP: 26 weeks maximum in Washington, file weekly claims on time, do 3 job search activities per week, report all income, and keep good records. You should be all set with 8 years of work history!
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Lorenzo McCormick
•Perfect summary, thank you! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more prepared now.
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Dyllan Nantx
•This is exactly the kind of info I wish I'd had when I first filed. Great thread!
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