How long can I be on unemployment benefits in Washington state?

Thanks! So if I worked steadily for 2 years I should qualify for the full 26 weeks? Do I need to prove I'm looking for work the whole time?

Yes, you'll likely qualify for the full duration. You must search for work and report your job search activities on your weekly claims. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week typically.

Good point. I was hoping to find something similar to my old job but maybe I need to be more flexible. Did you find work before your benefits ran out?

I found something at week 23, thankfully. Had to take a small pay cut but it's better than nothing. Don't wait too long to expand your search criteria.

I'll look into WorkFirst, hadn't heard of that. Is that through Washington ESD too or a different agency?

WorkFirst is through DSHS, not Washington ESD. It's temporary assistance for families with children. You can apply for both programs simultaneously if you qualify.

Be careful with WorkFirst though - they have strict work requirements and time limits. Make sure you understand all the rules before applying.

I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me tons of time and frustration.

Never heard of that but I'm desperate at this point. Does it actually work or is it just another scam? I've been burned by services that promise to help with government stuff before.

It's legitimate - they basically automate the calling process so you don't have to sit there hitting redial all day. Got me connected to an agent within 2 hours when I couldn't get through for 3 weeks on my own.

The duration is still up to 26 weeks, but your weekly benefit amount will be lower based on your part-time earnings. You need to have earned at least $1,926 in your base period to qualify at all.

ok good i made more than that. so the weeks are the same but the money is different. thats what i was wondering about

I understand the frustration but everyone pays into the system through payroll taxes. The 26-week limit is based on federal and state law, not how long you worked. Your benefit amount is what varies based on your earnings history.

Still doesn't seem fair. Someone who worked 10 years should get more weeks than someone who barely qualifies. The whole system needs an overhaul.

I get where you're coming from but unemployment is insurance, not a retirement plan. The 26 weeks is supposed to be temporary help while you find new work, not long-term support.

Good to know about the weekly claims. I haven't received my first payment yet - how long does it usually take?

First payment usually comes 2-3 weeks after filing if there are no issues with your claim. If it takes longer than that, you might have an adjudication issue that needs to be resolved.

Okay so 26 weeks is what I should plan for. That gives me about 6 months to find something new. Hopefully that's enough time.

Six months is a decent amount of time if you're actively searching. Don't wait too long to start applying though - the job search process takes longer than most people expect.

You can mix different types of activities. Job applications, networking events, job fairs, informational interviews, skills training, and even some online career development activities can count. Just keep good records of what you did and when.

That's helpful, thanks. I was worried I had to apply to 3 jobs every single week even if there weren't that many good matches available.

Yeah I'm not expecting it to be comfortable. Just need to cover basics while I job hunt. Did your brother find work right after his benefits ended?

He actually found something at week 24, so just under the wire. The pressure of knowing benefits were ending soon motivated him to take a job he might have passed on earlier.

That's interesting. How does that work exactly? Is there a limit on how much you can earn?

You can earn up to your weekly benefit amount minus $5 and still get partial benefits. So if your weekly benefit is $400, you could earn up to $395 and still get some unemployment money. It's a way to transition back to full-time work.

What kind of confusion did you have with your work history? I'm wondering if I might have similar issues.

I had worked for two different companies in the same year and Washington ESD wasn't showing all my wages in their system. The agent was able to look up the missing wages and adjust my claim. Much easier than trying to figure it out through their website.

Good point to mention. There's currently no waiting week in Washington but that can change based on state funding and policy decisions. For now, you can start collecting benefits immediately if your claim is approved.

What kind of records should I keep? Just a list of jobs I applied to or more detailed info?

Keep detailed records - company name, position, date of application, how you applied, and any follow-up you did. Also keep records of any networking events, job fairs, or training you attend. The more documentation the better.

I hadn't thought about that. Is WorkSourceWA connected to Washington ESD or separate?

They work together but WorkSourceWA is the job service side while Washington ESD handles the benefits side. You can register with WorkSourceWA and use their services while collecting unemployment benefits.

Good advice. I'm hoping 6 months is enough but you're right that I should have a backup plan. Better to be prepared than caught off guard.

That's a good point I hadn't considered. So this is basically my one shot at unemployment benefits until I work again. Definitely adds pressure to find something within the 26 weeks.

Exactly. You need to earn at least 6 times your weekly benefit amount in new wages before you can file another claim. So if your weekly benefit is $400, you'd need to earn at least $2,400 in new wages.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Sounds like 26 weeks is the standard and I need to take the job search seriously from day one. Time to get started!

That's really helpful advice about temp agencies! I hadn't thought about how they might help bridge the gap while I'm looking for permanent work. Do you know if there are any specific temp agencies in Washington that are better for warehouse work, or should I just start reaching out to all of them?