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The bottom line is file today. File right now. Don't wait. There's no benefit to waiting and you could lose money every day you delay. Washington ESD makes it pretty easy to file online.
Also worth mentioning that if you have any questions after you file, Washington ESD customer service can be really hard to reach by phone. If you need help and can't get through, definitely consider using a service like Claimyr to get connected faster. They made the process so much easier for me.
The whole system is set up to make it hard for people to get help when they need it most. Typical government bureaucracy making people jump through hoops.
Bottom line for OP - if you've worked 3 months full-time at decent pay, you might qualify depending on exactly when you started and which quarters you worked in. The Washington ESD website has all the specific details, or you can call to verify.
Good luck! The adjudication process can be stressful but try not to worry too much. Sounds like you have a reasonable case based on what you've described.
The whole benefit calculation thing stressed me out so much when I first filed. Turned out I was overthinking it - just file your claim and they'll tell you what your weekly amount is. You can always call and ask questions later if something seems wrong.
One last tip - make sure all your employers from the last 18 months are correctly listed in the system. If Washington ESD is missing wage information from any jobs, it could lower your benefit calculation. You can request corrections if needed.
Andre Rousseau
Currently on week 24 of 26 and finally got a job offer! It's such a relief. But yeah, that 26 week limit creates real pressure toward the end. Start looking aggressively from day one.
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Zoe Papadakis
•Congratulations! That must be such a huge weight off your shoulders. What field are you in?
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Andre Rousseau
•Thanks! I'm in accounting. Took way longer than expected to find something in my salary range but persistence paid off.
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Jamal Carter
PSA for everyone here: make sure you understand the difference between your benefit year (52 weeks) and your benefit duration (up to 26 weeks of payments). You can't file a new claim until your benefit year expires, even if you use up all 26 weeks early.
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Jamal Carter
•Correct, unless you have qualifying wages from work during that benefit year. Most people have to wait for the full year to expire before filing a new claim.
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AstroAdventurer
•Wow, I did not know that. That's really important information!
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