How long can you claim unemployment benefits in Washington ESD - confused about duration limits

Thank you! So the benefit year is different from the actual weeks I can claim? I worked full time for about 3 years before getting laid off, so I should qualify for the full amount right?

Exactly - your benefit year is the 52-week period you have to use your available claim weeks. With 3 years of full-time work, you should definitely qualify for the maximum 26 weeks, assuming you met the minimum earnings requirements.

I've tried checking eServices but I can never get through on the phone to Washington ESD when I have questions about what I'm seeing in there. The interface is confusing.

I had the same problem reaching them by phone until I found Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to an actual Washington ESD agent without spending hours on hold. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made a huge difference for getting my questions answered.

Wait, so if I find a job after 3 months but then get laid off again within that same benefit year, I can still use the remaining weeks?

Yes, as long as you're still within your benefit year and you meet the work search requirements when you file again. But if your benefit year expires, you'd need to file a new claim based on more recent work history.

This is confusing - what if you worked during part of your benefit year? Does that extend anything or change your remaining weeks?

How many job searches do we need to do per week? I've been doing 3 but I'm not sure if that's enough.

You need to complete at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log in WorkSourceWA. The activities can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or skills training.

The phone situation is definitely frustrating. That's why services like Claimyr are so helpful - they handle the calling for you and get you connected to an actual person at Washington ESD.

Never heard of that but might be worth trying. I've literally spent entire days trying to get through to them.

So even if I work part-time one week and don't get a full unemployment payment, that still counts as one of my 26 weeks?

Correct. Any week you file a weekly claim counts toward your maximum, even if your benefit amount is reduced or zero due to earnings.

After 26 weeks, regular UI benefits end. Extensions are only available during periods of high unemployment when federal programs are active. Currently, there are no extensions available in Washington state.

That's scary. So after 26 weeks you're just on your own?

You could potentially file a new claim if you've worked enough since your last claim started, but otherwise yes - you'd need to look into other assistance programs.

Your base period is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed. Washington ESD looks at your wages during those quarters to determine your weekly benefit amount and duration. Part-time work counts as long as you earned enough.

Is there a minimum amount you need to have earned? I'm worried I might not qualify for the full duration.

Good to know they don't roll over. Did you have any trouble when you had to file the second claim?

The second claim was actually easier because I knew the system better. But I did have to call Washington ESD a few times to clarify things, which was a nightmare until someone told me about Claimyr.

Wait, what do you mean by that? I thought you only file when you want to claim benefits for that week.

You need to file your weekly claim every week to maintain your claim, even if you worked full-time that week and won't receive benefits. Missing weeks can cause issues with your claim.

I remember hearing about those extended programs. Are there any signs they might bring something like that back?

Not that I've seen. Those were emergency measures for unprecedented circumstances. Regular state unemployment is designed to be temporary assistance while you search for work.

That makes sense. So someone making $30k and someone making $60k might get different weekly amounts but both could claim for up to 26 weeks?

Exactly. The duration is the same (up to 26 weeks) but the weekly benefit amount varies based on your earnings history during the base period.

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

Yeah, regular UI is straightforward - 26 weeks max, job search required, benefits end when the weeks run out or you find suitable work.

That's really important to know. I was wondering about that since my claim took a few weeks to get approved.

Yeah, delays in claim processing don't extend anything. If you have questions about your specific dates and remaining time, definitely try to get through to Washington ESD. Claimyr made that so much easier for me.

Perfect summary, thank you! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident about understanding the system now.

Glad this helped! The Washington ESD system can be confusing but once you understand the basics it's much more manageable.