ESD only approved me for 16 weeks of UI instead of 26 weeks - is this normal?

The number of UI weeks you get depends on your work history during your base year. ESD calculates both your weekly benefit amount AND the total weeks based on how many hours you worked in the 12-18 months before filing. 26 weeks is the maximum, but not everyone qualifies for the full amount. Did you have any periods where you weren't working during your base year? That would explain the reduced weeks. Unfortunately, if their calculation of your work hours is correct, you probably can't appeal just to get more weeks.

I had the exact same issue in 2025! I only qualified for 17 weeks because I had taken 2 months unpaid leave to care for my sick parent. What you need to check is if all your wages and hours were properly reported on your monetary determination letter. Sometimes employers miss reporting some quarters, and that can drastically affect both your weekly amount AND your total weeks. If everything looks accurate though, there's not much you can do. The weeks are calculated based on a specific formula - it's a ratio of your total hours worked divided by 40 (to get "full-time weeks"). Then they multiply that by a percentage to determine eligible weeks.

The 26 weeks thing is a common misconception. In Washington, you can receive anywhere from 1-26 weeks of regular UI benefits depending on your work history. The calculation is based on your "base year" - either the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters OR the last 4 completed calendar quarters before you filed. Specifically, ESD takes your total hours worked in your base year and divides by 40 to get your "credit weeks." Then they multiply your credit weeks by a percentage (typically around 1/3) to determine your benefit weeks. So for example: - If you worked 2,080 hours (full-time for a year) - 2,080 ÷ 40 = 52 credit weeks - 52 × 1/3 = 17.3 weeks (rounded to 17) That six-week gap definitely impacted your total. If there are no errors in your work history, you'll have to work with the 16 weeks. Best advice is to intensify your job search right away rather than waiting until benefits run out.

NOBODY gets the full 26 weeks anymore!!!! The system is designed to give you as little as possible. I only got 13 weeks after working for 3 years straight with only a few weeks off between jobs. The whole UI system is broken and they keep changing the rules to pay out less. You should appeal anyway. What do you have to lose? I've heard of people getting more weeks after appealing.

Listen if u want to actually get a hold of ESD to discuss ur situation, save urself hours of frustration and use Claimyr. I was in the EXACT same boat (only got 15 weeks) and needed to talk to someone about why. Called for 2 weeks straight with no luck getting through. Finally used claimyr.com and got through to ESD in 20 mins. They have a video demo here: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 showing how it works. It gets you through their phone system and puts you in the callback queue way faster than calling yourself. Turns out in my case there were some hours missing from one employer that would've given me 3 more weeks of benefits! Worth checking if something similar happened to you.

this happens all the time. my sister only got 12 weeks. i got 22. its just how it goes. if your worry is not having enough time to find a job just know that construction is actually hiring like crazy right now, especially if your in king county area. my company is desperate for workers.

One important thing to know - if you exhaust your 16 weeks of regular UI and still haven't found work, you might qualify for Extended Benefits (EB) if the unemployment rate is high enough. Though currently Washington's unemployment rate isn't triggering EB. You should also check if you're eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) if your job was affected by foreign trade or outsourcing. TAA provides additional weeks of benefits while you train for a new career. Also, make sure you're using WorkSource resources for your job search - they can help with finding openings in your field faster.

After reading through all the comments, it sounds like you should: 1. Double-check your monetary determination letter to make sure all your employers and quarters are listed correctly 2. Try calling ESD to verify if there might be any errors (the Claimyr service someone mentioned could help get through) 3. If everything is correct, understand that 16 weeks is what you qualify for based on your work history 4. Start job searching immediately rather than waiting 5. Connect with WorkSource for additional job search help The calculation method others explained makes sense - your 6-week gap definitely affected your total weeks. And unfortunately, no, you can't appeal just to get more weeks unless there's an actual error in your work history or wage record.