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One more tip - after you file, you'll need to do weekly claims every week to keep getting benefits. Don't skip weeks or you'll lose those benefits permanently. Set a reminder on your phone or something.
Good luck OP! The system is confusing but once you get your claim going it gets easier. Just remember to keep looking for work and document your job search activities.
The whole system seems pretty fair when you understand how it works. Employers pay in when times are good, employees get benefits when they need them.
One final tip - save or screenshot everything during the application process. Having documentation of what you submitted can be helpful if questions come up later.
If you need to reach Washington ESD for any reason during the process, I'll echo what others said about Claimyr. It's honestly a game changer for getting through their phone system. The demo video they mentioned really shows how much easier it makes things.
Pro tip: set up direct deposit if you haven't already. Getting paper checks in the mail can delay your payments and you don't want to lose any time during those 26 weeks.
I'm on week 15 of my claim and starting to feel the pressure. Job market is tougher than I expected when I first filed. 26 weeks seemed like plenty of time but it's going fast.
StarSurfer
Make sure you understand the difference between your weekly benefit amount and your maximum benefit amount. The weekly is what you get each week, but there's also a total maximum for the entire benefit year.
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GalaxyGuardian
•What's the maximum total amount you can receive?
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StarSurfer
•It's 26 times your weekly benefit amount, so if you get $520 per week, your maximum total would be $13,520.
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Ava Martinez
thanks everyone for all the info! this thread has been super helpful for understanding how washington unemployment benefits work
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GalaxyGuardian
•Agreed! I feel much more prepared to file my claim now.
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Aisha Abdullah
•Good luck with your claim! Feel free to post back here if you run into any issues during the process.
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