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One last tip - keep detailed records of all your job search activities. You might not need them right away, but if Washington ESD ever audits your claim, you'll need to prove you were actively looking for work.
The whole process seems overwhelming at first but it's really not that bad once you get started. Just take it one step at a time and don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
Reading through this thread makes me realize I probably should have filed for unemployment when I quit my toxic job last year. I thought you couldn't get benefits if you quit voluntarily, but it sounds like there are legitimate exceptions. Too bad it's too late now.
You typically have to file within a certain timeframe after becoming unemployed, but it's worth checking with Washington ESD to see if you have any options. Sometimes there are exceptions for people who didn't know they were eligible.
For the original poster, I'd recommend filing your claim as soon as possible even if you're not 100% sure you'll qualify. Washington ESD can take weeks to process claims and make determinations, so the sooner you start the process, the better. Worst case scenario, they deny you and you're no worse off than you are now.
Agreed. I waited too long to file when I was laid off and missed out on weeks of potential benefits. The application process itself doesn't cost anything, so there's really no downside to applying if you think you might qualify.
Final reminder: file your initial claim as soon as possible because benefits don't start until you file, regardless of when you became unemployed. Then stay on top of your weekly claims and job search requirements. You've got this!
Final thought - even if the process is challenging, don't let that discourage you from filing if you genuinely had good cause to quit. The benefits are there for situations exactly like yours, and Washington ESD does approve these claims when the evidence supports it.
Dylan Cooper
Current max is $999/week but most people don't hit that unless they were making $85k+ per year. The $52k salary should put you somewhere in the $500-650 range realistically.
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Sofia Perez
•Yeah that sounds about right based on what I've seen from friends who filed recently.
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Dmitry Smirnov
If you run into any issues getting through to Washington ESD by phone (and you probably will), that Claimyr service mentioned earlier really does work. I was skeptical at first but it saved me hours of calling and getting nowhere.
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Sean Murphy
•Several people have mentioned Claimyr now. Seems like the phone situation is pretty bad if people are using services to get through.
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ElectricDreamer
•The phone situation is absolutely terrible. I tried for weeks before giving up and using Claimyr. Worth every penny to actually talk to a human.
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