How long are unemployment benefits in Washington state - confused about my timeline

Thanks! I found my monetary determination letter and it says 26 weeks. So that's about 6 months total right?

Exactly - 26 weeks equals roughly 6 months of benefits as long as you keep filing your weekly claims and meeting the job search requirements.

You can stop anytime if you find work! Actually you're supposed to stop filing weekly claims as soon as you start working. Any unused weeks don't carry over to future claims though.

good to know thanks

What happens if I'm still unemployed after the 26 weeks? Are there other programs I can apply for?

You'd need to wait until your benefit year ends to file a new regular UI claim, assuming you worked enough to qualify again. There might be other assistance programs but they're not unemployment benefits.

You could also look into SNAP benefits or other assistance while waiting to be eligible for unemployment again. Washington DSHS has info on those programs.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents automatically. You just put in your info and it calls repeatedly until it connects you with a real person. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

That sounds too good to be true but I'm desperate at this point. Does it actually work?

It worked for me! I was trying to call for 3 weeks about an adjudication issue and got through in about 2 hours with their service. Way better than spending entire days redialing.

No, regular Washington unemployment is up to 26 weeks. You might be thinking of some other program or maybe family leave? Definitely 26 weeks for regular UI benefits.

omg what a relief! i was panicking for nothing. thanks for clarifying

This is why it's so important to read all the paperwork Washington ESD sends you. Everything is explained in the determination letters.

I don't think it's intentional but the letters are definitely confusing. They use a lot of technical language that doesn't make sense to regular people.

Maybe but it sure works out in their favor when people don't know their rights

The information is available if you know where to look. Washington ESD website has benefit duration calculators and explanations.

3 job contacts per week? I thought it was just 2. Where do you see the requirements?

Check your WorkSourceWA account - it shows the current requirements when you log in. They changed it recently I think.

It's actually 3 for most people but can be different based on your situation. Best to check with your local WorkSource office.

The 26 weeks is based on the number of weekly claims you file, not calendar weeks. So if you skip filing a week for any reason, that week doesn't count against your total.

That makes sense. So if I go on vacation and don't file, I don't lose that week of eligibility?

Correct, but remember you have to be available for work to qualify each week. If you're on vacation you probably shouldn't file that week anyway.

Hang in there. Have you looked into job training programs? Sometimes Washington ESD offers extended benefits if you're in an approved training program.

I'll look into that, thanks. Anything to help while I keep searching.

WorkSource has career counselors too who can help with your job search strategy. Might be worth scheduling an appointment.

Still 26 weeks in Washington. Some states have different durations but Washington hasn't changed theirs. Tell your sister to check her monetary determination letter for her specific situation.

Thanks! I'll let her know. She's already stressed enough about being laid off.

Yes, even partial benefit weeks count toward your 26 week maximum. The limit is based on the number of weeks you receive any unemployment payment, not the amount.

Bummer, I was hoping part time work would stretch it out. Thanks for the info though.

At least you're earning some money though! Part time work plus partial unemployment is usually better than just unemployment alone.

The base is 26 weeks. The 39 weeks might be including federal extensions that were available during the pandemic, but those ended in 2021. Right now it's just the standard 26 weeks.

That explains the confusion. Thanks for clearing that up!

Yeah a lot of old articles are still floating around from when there were federal extensions. Always check the Washington ESD website for current info.

No, unused weeks don't carry over. Once your benefit year ends (52 weeks from when you first filed), any unused weeks are gone. You'd need to qualify for a new claim based on recent work history.

Okay good to know. So basically use it or lose it within that year.

Exactly. That's why some people try to stretch out their benefits by working part time, even though those weeks still count toward the limit.

If it was the same benefit year, the standby weeks would count toward your 26 week maximum. You'd have 14 weeks left for regular unemployment. This is complicated though - I'd recommend calling Washington ESD to confirm your specific situation.

This is exactly the kind of question where Claimyr really helps. Instead of trying to decipher the rules yourself, you can actually get through to an Washington ESD agent who can look at your account and give you the definitive answer. I used it when I had a similar complicated situation.

That makes sense. I'll try calling but if I can't get through I'll check out that Claimyr thing.

This should be pinned at the top! Clear and simple explanation.

Yes this helps a lot! I was overthinking it but 26 weeks is straightforward enough.

Don't forget you also have to meet job search requirements and file weekly claims to keep getting benefits during those 26 weeks!

Good advice. I wish I had planned better when I was collecting. Hit week 26 and suddenly panicked about money.

WorkSource Washington has planning resources for this exact situation. They can help you figure out next steps before your benefits run out.

I'll definitely keep this in mind. Better to plan ahead than scramble at the end.