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One more denial reason people forget about - if you're still technically employed but just had your hours reduced, you might be eligible for partial benefits. But if Washington ESD finds out you turned down available hours at your current job, that could disqualify you.
Bottom line: even if you think you might get denied, it's usually worth applying anyway. The worst they can say is no, and you might be surprised. I thought I'd get denied for voluntary quit but they approved me because I had good cause (unsafe working conditions).
Thanks everyone for all the detailed info! I think I'll apply and see what happens. Sounds like there are more exceptions and appeals options than I realized.
The requirements seem straightforward but Washington ESD's website explains it in the most confusing way possible. Basically if you worked regularly for about 4-6 months you probably qualify.
Don't wait to file if you think you might qualify. Even if you're not sure about the work requirements, let Washington ESD make that determination. You can't get benefits for time before you file your claim.
This is all really good information. I think the key takeaway is that unemployment and PFML serve different purposes and you can't use them at the same time.
One more thing - if you do file and get approved, don't forget to report any part-time work or odd jobs. Even small amounts of income need to be reported on your weekly claims or you could get hit with an overpayment later.
If you do need to call Washington ESD about anything, definitely check out that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. I finally got through to an agent last week after trying for a month on my own. Sometimes you just need that extra help to navigate their phone system.
Dyllan Nantx
Just want to confirm - the $999 maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is correct? I've seen some old information online with lower amounts.
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Ayla Kumar
•Yes, $999 is the current maximum for 2025. The amount gets adjusted annually based on average wages in the state.
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Dyllan Nantx
•Perfect, thanks for confirming. That's higher than I expected which is good news.
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TillyCombatwarrior
Bottom line - take your highest earning quarter from your base period, divide by 26, and that's probably what your weekly benefit will be (unless it exceeds the $999 max). Everything else is just details.
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Oliver Brown
•That's exactly what I needed to know. Simple and straightforward. Thanks everyone for all the help!
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Anna Xian
•Glad this thread was helpful. Always nice when the community can help each other figure out this confusing system.
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