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The most important thing is to report work immediately. I made the mistake of waiting until my next weekly claim and it flagged my account for review. Took weeks to sort out.
Final thought - if you do run into any snags and need to actually speak with someone at Washington ESD, definitely consider using a callback service like Claimyr rather than spending hours on hold. Made all the difference for me when I had questions about my claim.
Sounds like you're on the right track. Mass layoffs are one of those situations where the system actually works pretty well once everything gets going.
Just want to add that the 26 week thing can be confusing because it's not always 26 calendar weeks. If you have weeks where you don't file or aren't eligible, those don't count against your 26 weeks of benefits. So you might be collecting for longer than 26 calendar weeks if there are gaps.
The whole unemployment system gives me anxiety. Twenty-six weeks sounds like a lot but when you're actually living on unemployment it goes by so fast. Just make sure you understand all the rules so you don't accidentally lose benefits.
For what it's worth, I found a job in week 18 of my claim and still had 8 weeks left. Don't panic too early - 26 weeks is actually enough time if you're actively searching and flexible about opportunities.
Bottom line is 26 weeks standard, no extensions currently available, and your clock starts when you file not when approved. File immediately, keep good job search records, and don't wait until week 25 to get serious about your search.
Chloe Anderson
Another vote for using Claimyr if you need to talk to Washington ESD. I was stuck in adjudication limbo for weeks and couldn't get through on the phone. Claimyr got me connected to an agent who was able to expedite my case review.
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Miguel Ortiz
•Seems like a lot of people have had success with that service. Might be worth trying if I run into issues.
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Diego Vargas
•I was skeptical at first but it really works. Saved me hours of frustration trying to call Washington ESD myself.
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CosmicCruiser
Bottom line - medical absences are generally not considered misconduct. You should be fine as long as you have documentation and didn't violate any other major policies. Apply ASAP and don't let them intimidate you.
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Miguel Ortiz
•Thanks everyone for all the advice. I'm going to file my claim today and gather all my medical documentation.
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Anastasia Fedorov
•Good luck! Remember to keep filing those weekly claims no matter what.
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