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Don't stress too much about the exact timing. As long as you're actively job searching and following all the requirements, you'll get your full 26 weeks unless something unusual happens with your claim.
One last thing - make sure you save copies of all your weekly claim confirmations and any letters from Washington ESD. If there's ever a discrepancy about how many weeks you've used, you'll want that documentation.
washington esd is actually pretty good about explaining eligibility when you apply online, the system will tell you right away if you don't meet the requirements
Based on everything you've described - working consistently for 2 years across different jobs - you should definitely qualify. The 4-month tenure at your last job is completely irrelevant to Washington ESD's eligibility requirements.
My friend works in HR and she explained it like this: unemployment taxes are just a cost of doing business. Companies budget for them annually just like any other expense. Individual claims don't create surprise bills.
Bottom line: file your claim if you're eligible. Don't worry about your employer having to pay - they're already paying into the system whether you file or not. You earned those benefits through your work.
Bottom line - file immediately, be honest about everything, and don't let anyone scare you out of applying. Even if there are complications, you can't get benefits if you don't apply in the first place.
Mateo Silva
I used Claimyr when I was having issues understanding my benefit calculation and they were super helpful. The agent explained that Washington has one of the more generous unemployment programs in the country - both in terms of benefit amounts and duration. With your work history, you should definitely qualify for substantial weekly benefits.
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Isabella Russo
•That's reassuring to hear. I was worried I might not qualify for much since I've only been working for a couple years.
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Mateo Silva
•Two years of steady work should be plenty to establish a solid base period. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised by your benefit amount.
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Victoria Jones
Just remember that the maximum benefit amount changes each year based on average wages in the state. For 2025, the maximum is $999 per week, but it was lower in previous years. The minimum is $295 per week. Most people with decent jobs end up somewhere in between those amounts.
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Isabella Russo
•Thanks for all the detailed information everyone. I feel much more confident about filing my claim now. Going to do it this afternoon.
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Rajiv Kumar
•Good luck with your claim! Feel free to come back and ask if you run into any issues during the process.
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