How long can I claim unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

In Washington state, regular unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks maximum. The exact number of weeks you qualify for depends on your work history and wages over the past 18 months. You can check your benefit year end date in your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account under your claim summary.

Just remember you have to keep filing your weekly claims and doing job searches to keep getting paid. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week now.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD with questions about your claim duration, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to actual agents. They have automated calling that keeps trying until someone picks up. Check out claimyr.com - there's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call myself.

The 26 weeks is the standard but there are sometimes extended benefits during high unemployment periods. Right now there aren't any federal extensions available like there were during COVID.

dude the system is so messed up, i filed 2 months ago and still haven't gotten a single payment because my claim is stuck in adjudication. meanwhile my buddy who filed after me is already getting his weekly checks. makes no sense

What if you find a job before your 26 weeks are up? Do you lose the remaining weeks or can you save them for later?

I'm at week 22 of my claim and starting to panic about what happens next. Been applying everywhere but construction jobs are hard to find right now.

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington is $1015 right now, but most people don't get the max. Your weekly amount is based on your past wages.

Make sure you're reporting any odd jobs or temporary work on your weekly claims. Even small amounts can affect your benefits if you don't report them properly.

WASHINGTON ESD IS THE WORST! Been waiting 6 weeks for them to process my appeal and nobody can tell me anything. This system is broken!!!

Just a heads up - if you move to another state while collecting Washington unemployment, you need to notify ESD. The rules can get complicated with interstate claims.

I collected all 26 weeks last year and then found a job. Worked for 8 months before getting laid off again. Now I'm on a new claim with another 26 weeks potential. The system actually worked pretty well for me both times.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Your first week of unemployment doesn't get paid, but if you use all your benefits, they pay you for that week at the end.

if you're on standby status the rules are different than regular unemployment. i was on standby from my union job and could collect for way longer

Pro tip: Start looking for work immediately even if you think you have 26 weeks. The job market moves fast and some positions take weeks to go through hiring processes.

You can also check if you qualify for any training programs through WorkSource that might extend your benefits while you learn new skills. Some programs pay training allowances.

My cousin collected unemployment for almost a year but that was during COVID when they had all the extensions. Normal times it's just the 26 weeks max in Washington.

Whatever you do, don't let your claim lapse by missing weekly certifications. If you stop filing for a few weeks, it can be a pain to reactivate your claim.

The key thing is to treat unemployment like a temporary bridge, not a long-term solution. 26 weeks goes by faster than you think, especially if you're picky about jobs.