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been on unemployment twice - once when my restaurant closed permanently (structural) and once when they cut hours during slow season (cyclical). washington esd treated them very differently in terms of benefit duration and job search requirements
Bottom line for your assignment - most Washington ESD claimants fall into these patterns: 1. Cyclical (40%): Laid off due to business downturns 2. Seasonal (25%): Predictable end of seasonal work 3. Structural (20%): Permanent job/industry elimination 4. Frictional (15%): Job transitions (often don't qualify) The percentages vary with economic conditions but that's roughly the distribution in normal times.
The consistency of Wednesday payments has been a lifesaver for me. Makes it so much easier to plan bills and grocery shopping around that schedule.
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.
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.
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.
ThunderBolt7
been through this process twice and the key is just staying on top of everything. file your weekly claims on time, do your job searches, report any income honestly. if you follow the rules it usually works out fine
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Leila Haddad
•Thanks everyone for all the advice! I feel much more confident about starting this process now.
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ThunderBolt7
•good luck! hope everything goes smoothly for you
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Jamal Edwards
Last tip - if you have any issues or questions that can't wait for the phone lines, sometimes the local WorkSource offices can help with basic unemployment questions. Not everything, but they might be able to point you in the right direction.
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Leila Haddad
•That's good to know there are other options besides just calling Washington ESD directly.
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Omar Farouk
•Though honestly, for anything complicated with your actual claim, you really need to talk to Washington ESD directly. That's where Claimyr becomes really valuable.
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