How long can u collect unemployment benefits in Washington state?

Thanks! So it's not automatically 26 weeks for everyone? How do they calculate how many weeks I actually get?

Right, it's based on your earnings history. Washington ESD looks at your wages from the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed. Higher earnings during that period generally means more weeks of benefits.

Yeah those pandemic programs like PUA and PEUC were a lifesaver but they ended in 2021. Now it's just regular UI benefits.

Good to know about filing weekly claims. I'll make sure to do that every week. Do I have to look for work the whole time?

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs or other things too?

Applying for jobs, networking events, career fairs, interviews, even some training programs count. Just keep detailed records of everything you do.

I had the same problem until I found claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. It actually got me connected to someone who could check my claim status and remaining weeks.

Interesting, I'll check that out. I'm getting desperate trying to reach them about my claim.

Wait, you have to pay for that service right? Seems like we shouldn't have to pay extra just to talk to Washington ESD.

Oh wow, I didn't know that. So if I get a part-time job while collecting, those weeks still count against my 26 week limit?

Exactly. Any week you receive any unemployment benefits counts as one of your 26 weeks, even if it's just a partial payment because you worked part-time.

Washington state does have an Extended Benefits program, but it only triggers when unemployment rates hit certain thresholds. Right now the economy is doing better so EB isn't available. You'd need to check the Washington ESD website for current EB status.

Ugh, that's what I was afraid of. Guess I need to really step up my job search in these last 4 weeks.

Wait, so the first week I file I don't get paid at all? That seems unfair.

Yep, the first week is called a waiting week and you don't get paid for it. But you still have to file your weekly claim for that week. It's been this way for years in Washington.

Overpayment issues are separate from your weekly benefit count. If they determine you were overpaid, they'll want the money back but it shouldn't affect your remaining weeks unless there was fraud involved.

Ok that's a relief. I definitely didn't commit fraud, just hope it's not a big overpayment amount.

Tell me about it. I thought 6 months would be plenty of time to find something but here I am at week 20 still searching.

The job market is tough right now. Don't be too hard on yourself - 26 weeks isn't really that long when you consider how long hiring processes take these days.

Yes, your benefit year is exactly 52 weeks from when you first filed. If you don't use all 26 weeks within that year, you lose them. So if you filed in March 2024, your benefit year ends in March 2025 regardless of how many weeks you've used.

Dang, so I can't just stop collecting for a few months and then come back to use my remaining weeks later?

Not within the same benefit year, no. Once your benefit year expires, you'd have to file a new claim and meet all the eligibility requirements again.

I mentioned this earlier but claimyr.com really helped me get through to Washington ESD when I was having the same problem. They handle all the calling and waiting for you. Worth checking out their demo video.

At this point I'm willing to try anything. The phone system is broken.

Thanks! I'll check that out. Is it under a specific section in the account portal?

Yeah, it should be on your main account dashboard or under the 'Claim Status' section. Pretty easy to find once you're logged in.

So it's really use it or lose it? I was hoping if I found a job quickly I could save some weeks in case I needed them later.

Unfortunately yes. If you go back to work and later lose that job, you'd need to file a new claim and meet all the requirements again. Can't just restart your old claim.

I feel your frustration. The system definitely has its problems, especially with customer service accessibility.

Yeah the phone situation is terrible. I ended up using one of those calling services and finally got through to someone who could help with my claim.

That's good to know. I was wondering if partial weeks counted differently.

Nope, any week you receive benefits counts toward your 26 week total. Something to keep in mind when taking temporary or part-time work.

Congrats on finding work! That's cutting it close with only 2 weeks left on your claim.

thanks! yeah I was getting really stressed about it. the job market is tough out there