How long can you collect unemployment benefits in Washington?

Thanks! So that's about 6 months then. Is that from when you first file or from when you start getting paid?

It's from when your claim is effective, which is usually the week you file. So if you filed last week, you'd have 25 weeks remaining.

Yeah I'm keeping track of my job search activities. How many searches do you have to do per week?

its 3 per week minimum but honestly do more than that. the job market is rough right now

Thanks! I checked and it shows my benefit year ends in March. So once I hit 26 weeks or run out of my benefit amount, that's it?

Exactly. Once you exhaust your regular benefits or reach your benefit year end date, you'd need to file a new claim if you're still unemployed and have sufficient wages in a new base period.

How many job search activities do you need per week? I've been doing 3 but wasn't sure if that was enough.

It's usually 3 job search activities per week, but check your requirements in your account because it can vary based on your situation.

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

It's based on your total wages during your base year. Washington ESD has a formula that determines both your weekly benefit amount and duration. You can see this info in your determination letter once you file.

What happens if you can't find work in those 26 weeks? Do you just run out of benefits completely?

Unfortunately yes, once you exhaust your 26 weeks of regular benefits, that's it unless Congress passes new extensions or the state implements extended benefits program. You'd need to look into other assistance programs.

Thanks! So it's definitely 26 weeks max? I was worried it might be less since I've never filed for unemployment before.

Yes, 26 weeks is the standard maximum. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time and meet all the job search requirements to keep receiving benefits.

How much does something like that cost? Seems like you shouldn't have to pay extra just to reach the agency that owes you money.

I get the frustration but honestly it was worth it for me. Way better than spending hours on hold or getting disconnected. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person about your specific situation.

I might need to look into that if I run into issues. The phone system does seem pretty overwhelmed.

Wait, permanently? I thought you could just refile if you missed filing one week?

You can sometimes get it reinstated but it's a huge hassle. Better to just stay on top of your weekly claims every Sunday.

During the pandemic there were extended benefits and special programs, but those have ended. Regular Washington ESD unemployment is back to the standard 26 weeks maximum.

oh ok that makes sense. thanks for clearing that up

Did you have to take a job that paid less than your previous one?

Yeah about 30% less but at least I had income coming in. You can't be too choosy when you're running out of benefits.

I used a service called Claimyr recently - they help you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com, they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Never heard of that but I'll check it out. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get answers about my claim.

Is that legit? Sounds too good to be true.

Yeah it's real. They basically call on your behalf and get you connected when an agent is available. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr.com - it's a service that calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an actual agent. Saved me hours of redialing. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Interesting, never heard of that. Does it actually work or is it one of those scam things?

It's legit - they don't ask for any personal info, just your phone number to call you back when they get through. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Extended benefits (EB) are only triggered when unemployment rates hit certain thresholds. Washington hasn't had EB available recently. Your friend might have been collecting during the pandemic when there were special federal programs.

That makes sense, this was back in 2021. So right now it's just the standard 26 weeks max?

How do you know if extended benefits are available? Do they notify you automatically?

Washington ESD announces it publicly when extended benefits kick in. It's based on state unemployment statistics. You'd see it on their website and in the news.

What if you don't have enough work history for a new claim? Are you just out of luck?

Pretty much, unless you qualify for other programs. That's why it's important to keep job searching actively during your claim period.

This is making me nervous. I need to make sure I understand all the requirements before I start my claim.

And keep good records of your job search activities! Washington ESD can audit you at any time and ask for proof.

Good point. I'll start a spreadsheet to track everything.

Really? I haven't tried calling yet but I've heard the phone lines are always busy. How does that service work exactly?

Basically they handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when they get an agent on the line. Saved me hours of trying to get through myself.

Interesting, never heard of that before. Might be worth checking out if I have issues with my claim.

How does that work exactly? Do they just reduce your weekly benefit amount?

Right, they have a formula where they subtract a portion of your earnings from your weekly benefit. You still use up benefit weeks though, so it doesn't extend the 26 week limit.

Good to know. I might look for some freelance work in my field while I'm searching for permanent positions.

It's 26 weeks because that's what federal and state law established. The weekly claims are required to make sure you're still eligible and actively looking for work.

i know WHY they do it i just think its annoying lol

How do they calculate that dollar amount? My weekly benefit is $467 but I'm not sure how much total I'm eligible for.

Your maximum benefit amount is typically your weekly benefit amount times 26, but it can't exceed 30% of your base period wages. Check your monetary determination letter for the exact figures.

You can file a new claim right when your benefit year ends, but you need to have worked and earned sufficient wages during the new base period to qualify.

What if I haven't worked much during this past year while collecting unemployment?

Then you likely won't qualify for a new regular claim. You'd need to find work and earn enough wages to establish eligibility again.

Good advice. I'm at week 12 now so I have some time but you're right about planning ahead.

Tell me about it. And don't even get me started on trying to call them when you have questions.

That's why I'm going to try that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier. Anything to avoid their phone system.

Good point about the timing. I was laid off last Friday so I should probably file this week.

Definitely file this week. There's a one-week waiting period anyway, so the sooner you file, the sooner your benefits can start.

What happened when you missed the week? Did you lose that week's benefits?

Yeah you can't get benefits for weeks you don't file. But they let me continue with the rest of my claim after I explained it was just a mistake.

Use that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier - they can get you through to someone who can explain the appeal process. Much better than trying to figure it out from the website alone.

Thanks, I'll check it out. This whole process is so stressful.

How much does something like that cost?

I don't remember the exact amount but it wasn't bad considering the time it saved me. Check their website for current pricing.

Standby benefits count toward your 26-week maximum just like regular unemployment. The main difference is you don't have to do job search activities while on standby.

That's what I was afraid of. My callback date keeps getting pushed back and I'm already at week 8.

What exactly do I need to document for job search activities?

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep records of where you applied, when, and what type of work it was. You can use WorkSourceWA or keep your own log.

That's correct. And make sure your job search is for suitable work - generally in your field or at a comparable wage level, at least initially.

I get the frustration, but the requirements are there to ensure people are genuinely looking for work and to prevent fraud. It's not perfect but it serves a purpose.

i guess but when you're stressed about money the last thing you want is more paperwork

I haven't heard anything about extensions being considered right now. The economy would need to meet certain criteria for extended benefits to kick in automatically.

That's what I was afraid of. Guess I need to expand my search beyond just tech roles.

What do you mean by benefit year? Is that different from the 26 weeks?

Your benefit year is the 52-week period during which you can collect up to 26 weeks of benefits. If you go back to work and then lose your job again within that year, you continue on the same claim.

I was in manufacturing, pretty standard employment. Hopefully shouldn't have any special complications.

Yeah, manufacturing should be straightforward. Just make sure you have all your employment history ready when you file.

Did they help you understand the calculation for how many weeks you had left?

Yes exactly! There was some confusion about weeks I had used vs weeks remaining and the agent walked me through it step by step.

Really? I didn't know you could work and still collect benefits. How does that work?

You can earn up to a certain amount per week and still get partial benefits. It's complicated though - you need to report all earnings and they reduce your benefit amount accordingly.

Just make sure you report ALL work and income, even cash jobs. Washington ESD cross-references with other agencies and can catch unreported work.

Glad you got it figured out! That should give you a good runway to find something.

Keep track of your weekly claims and make sure you're meeting all requirements. The last thing you want is to get disqualified near the end of your benefit period.

Good advice. Is the online system pretty user-friendly?

It's not bad once you get used to it. The SecureAccess Washington (SAW) portal is what you'll use for most things.

I didn't know it varied by state. That seems unfair.

Yeah some states only do 12-20 weeks. Washington is actually pretty generous comparatively.

Wait so if I go on vacation and don't file, I don't lose that week from my 26 total?

Correct, but you also can't get benefits for that week. You can only get benefits for weeks you actually file and meet all the requirements.

That actually makes sense. Thanks for clarifying that.

What happens if you miss filing one week?

you lose that week's benefits and have to explain why you missed it. sometimes they'll let you backdate but its not guaranteed

How has the job search been going? Any advice for someone just starting the process?

Cast a wide net and don't be too picky at first. I wish I had started applying more broadly earlier in my benefit period.

Good point about not being too picky. Washington ESD expects you to expand your job search as time goes on if you're not finding work in your usual field.

Extended benefits can sometimes be triggered during periods of high unemployment, but this depends on federal and state economic indicators. It's not guaranteed and would require specific conditions to be met.

So basically don't count on it and plan for 26 weeks max. Got it.

I understand the anxiety, but 26 weeks is actually a reasonable amount of time for most job searches. Use the time wisely - consider retraining, networking, or expanding your search.

i know you're right, just scary to have that countdown clock ticking

I totally get that anxiety. Just focus on your job search activities and try not to think about the countdown too much.

What day of the week do you have to certify?

It depends on your last name, but it's always the same day each week. They'll tell you when you file your initial claim.

Were you able to find work before the 26 weeks ran out each time?

twice yes, once i had to take a job i didnt really want in week 25. you gotta do what you gotta do

Good mindset to have. The earlier you start seriously looking, the better your chances of landing something before benefits run out.

How much does it cost? I'm already tight on money.

It's worth checking out their website at claimyr.com - they focus on the value of actually getting through rather than the cost. Way cheaper than missing work to call all day.

That's a good point. I've been avoiding part-time work thinking it would mess up my benefits, but maybe I should look into it.

Just make sure to report all earnings when you file your weekly claims. They have specific rules about how much you can earn before it affects your benefits.

It definitely does. The job market is tough right now in a lot of industries. Don't get discouraged though - something will come up.

Thanks, trying to stay positive. Just scary watching that balance go down each week.

So if I find a job and then lose it again within that year, I could potentially collect more benefits?

Yes, as long as you haven't already used up your 26 weeks and you meet the other eligibility requirements when you reapply.

Good to know! I'll look for that on their site.

You're welcome! Hope everyone finds work soon. The job market is challenging but there are opportunities out there.

What kind of rules? I assumed any job offer would be better than running out of benefits.

Generally yes, but there are guidelines about what constitutes suitable work based on your previous wages, skills, and how long you've been unemployed. Worth understanding before you're in that situation.

That's why these forums are so valuable. The official websites have the info but it's not always easy to understand or find what you need.

That's good advice. I've been focusing mainly on online job boards but maybe I need to expand my approach.

Yes, Washington has partial unemployment benefits. If you work part-time and earn less than your weekly benefit amount plus $5, you can still collect partial benefits. You just need to report your earnings when you file your weekly claim.

That's good to know. So it's not all or nothing - you can transition gradually.

How long did your approval take?

It was stuck in adjudication for like 6 weeks before I used Claimyr to actually talk to someone. Got it resolved within a few days after that.

Good advice. I'm planning to start applying right away while I file for benefits.

Smart approach. The earlier you start, the better your chances of finding something good before benefits run out.

How much less are we talking about?

I think it's generally anything above 70% of your previous wage after the first few weeks, but check with Washington ESD for the exact rules.

That's approximately right. The definition of 'suitable work' does broaden over time, including acceptable wage levels.

Exactly what I was thinking. 26 weeks should be enough time to find something decent if I stay focused.

for sure, just don't get complacent. time goes by quicker than you expect when you're job hunting

Great point about keeping records. I'll set up a folder for all the unemployment paperwork.

Smart move. Organization really helps when you're dealing with government agencies.

What counts as a valid job search contact? I've been applying online mostly.

Online applications count, but you need to keep detailed records. Include company name, position, date, and method of contact. Washington ESD can be picky about what they accept.

That's helpful! So the benefit year and the number of weeks you can collect are two different things?

Exactly. You have a full year to use up your 26 weeks of benefits, but once the benefit year ends, you need to file a new claim regardless.

I'm on standby status. Do those weeks still count against my 26-week maximum?

Yes, standby weeks count toward your total benefit entitlement. The difference is just in the requirements - no job search needed but you must be available for recall.

Did they actually help resolve your issue or just get you connected?

They got me connected to an agent who could answer my questions. The resolution was still up to Washington ESD, but at least I could actually talk to someone.

Thanks everyone! This has been really helpful. I feel much more prepared to start my claim now.

Good luck with your claim! The system can be frustrating but stick with it and follow all the rules.

That's exactly what I'm worried about. How do you balance being selective vs being realistic?

I'd say be selective for the first 12-15 weeks, then start expanding your criteria. Don't wait until week 20 like I did.

How long do you have to work to qualify for a new claim?

You need to earn a certain amount in covered employment. I think it's around $3,000 in Washington but check with ESD to be sure.

What kind of other programs are available?

Food assistance, housing assistance, job training programs through WorkSource. Depends on your situation but there are options.

WorkSource also has career counseling services that can help you figure out if you need to pivot to a different field.

The program is meant to provide temporary assistance while you find new employment. It's not designed to support long-term career transitions, unfortunately.

Yeah I understand the purpose, just wish there was more flexibility for professional roles that naturally take longer to land.

Yeah I've noticed the online portal can be confusing. Good to know there are ways to get clarification.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info. Sounds like I need to be strategic about my timeline.

Good luck with your job search! The first few weeks always feel overwhelming but you'll get into a rhythm.