How long are you eligible for unemployment benefits in Washington state?

Thanks! So it's always 26 weeks no matter what? That seems pretty straightforward.

Well, it's UP TO 26 weeks. Your actual benefit year duration depends on your base period wages and how much you earn weekly. The formula is complicated but most people do get close to the full 26 weeks.

Got it, so I have a full year to use up those 26 weeks if I find work and then get laid off again?

Exactly. If you go back to work and then lose your job again within that same benefit year, you can resume collecting the remaining weeks you had left.

Is that legit? I've been trying to call ESD for days about my claim and keep getting hung up on.

Yeah it's real, they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Basically they handle the calling and waiting for you.

No, Washington state has always been 26 weeks for regular unemployment. Maybe your cousin was thinking of a different state or got confused with extended benefits during COVID?

Oh you're probably right, she lives in Oregon so maybe that's different.

That's what I'm worried about. I've heard horror stories about people getting disqualified for missing one job search requirement.

The job search requirements are pretty clear - you need to make 3 job search activities per week and keep a log. As long as you follow the rules and file your weekly claims on time, you should be fine.

Did you have to do anything special to keep getting benefits for that long?

Nope, just filed my weekly claims every week and did my job searches. The system is pretty automated once you get the hang of it.

So after 26 weeks you're just out of luck?

Pretty much, unless there's some kind of federal emergency extension which is rare. That's why it's important to use your time on unemployment to really focus on job searching.

That's scary. I'm hoping to find something quickly but the job market seems pretty tough right now.

Yeah don't count on finding something fast, especially in manufacturing. Start applying everywhere immediately.

That's a good point. If you earn less than your weekly benefit amount, you can still collect partial unemployment which stretches out your total benefit period.

I hadn't thought about that. So taking a part-time job might actually help in the long run?

How do I find out what my base period wages were?

It should show up in your account when you file your initial claim. If there's an issue with your wage records, that's definitely something you'd want to call ESD about.

Same situation here. The stress of knowing there's a hard cutoff makes the job search even more stressful.

Hang in there. I found my job in week 25, so don't give up hope.

How much does that cost though? I'm already broke from being unemployed.

It's worth it when you consider how much time you save not sitting on hold for hours. I was able to get my questions answered in one call instead of trying for weeks.

What exactly counts as job searching? I've been mostly just applying online.

Online applications count, but you should also be doing things like contacting employers directly, attending job fairs, networking events, etc. They want to see 3 activities per week.

What did you do after your benefits ran out?

Had to take a job that paid way less than what I was making before. Sometimes you just have to take what you can get.

Really? Where do I find information about those programs?

WorkSource Washington has information about training programs. Some qualify for Trade Adjustment Assistance or other programs that can extend your benefits while you train.

What day of the week do you usually file? I'm still figuring out the best schedule.

I file every Sunday morning. The system is usually pretty fast on weekends and it's easy to remember.

Exactly! And taking the first crappy job you find just to avoid exhausting benefits isn't always the best strategy either.

Unfortunately that's just how the system works. It's designed to be temporary assistance, not long-term support.

I'm not on standby, just regular unemployment. But good to know there are different types.

Yeah standby is for temporary layoffs where you expect to be recalled. Different requirements but same 26 week maximum.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info. I feel much more prepared now to start my claim and job search.

Good luck with your claim! Remember to file your initial application as soon as possible since benefits don't start until you file.

I'll keep that in mind if I run into any problems. Hopefully the process goes smoothly but it's good to know there are options if I need help.

I used Claimyr too when I had questions about my remaining weeks. Definitely worth it to get accurate information directly from ESD instead of guessing.