How long can you collect unemployment insurance in Washington - confused about benefit duration

Thanks! So if I have $4,200 left in my balance and get $350 per week, that means I have 12 more weeks?

Exactly right! Just divide your remaining balance by your weekly benefit amount to see how many weeks you have left.

Yeah I've been logging my job searches in WorkSourceWA every week. Do you know what happens if unemployment rates go up again?

If state unemployment hits certain triggers they can extend benefits, but don't count on it. Plan for 26 weeks max.

Interesting, I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my claim. How much does that service cost?

It's worth it just to get actual answers instead of being on hold forever. Way better than spending hours trying to get through on your own.

Start preparing now for when your benefits end. Look into job training programs through WorkSource or other assistance programs you might qualify for.

good idea, thanks. didnt know worksource had training stuff

You generally need to work and earn enough wages to establish a new benefit year. Just running out of benefits doesn't automatically make you eligible for a new claim.

That makes sense, thanks for clarifying!

Really? I didn't know about partial benefits. How does that work exactly?

You can earn up to a certain amount per week (I think it's around $185 right now) without affecting your benefits. Anything over that reduces your weekly benefit but you still get something.

Have you looked into other assistance programs? Food assistance, housing help, etc? Also check if you qualify for any job training programs that might help you switch fields.

I should probably look into that. It's just scary thinking about having no income at all.

Definitely call Washington ESD to discuss your options before your benefits end. Claimyr can help you get through to them quickly if you're having trouble with the phone lines.

Good to know! I was wondering about that too. Did they say anything about what happens in your last week if your balance is less than your full weekly amount?

Yes! They pay out whatever balance remains, even if it's less than your usual weekly amount. So if you have $100 left and normally get $350, you just get the $100 for that final week.

I'm confused about this. What happens if I find work after 10 weeks, then get laid off again within the same benefit year?

You can reopen your existing claim and use your remaining weeks, as long as you're still within your benefit year. You don't need to file a new claim.

This is exactly what I'm worried about. How much do you need to work to qualify for a new claim?

You typically need to earn at least $3,000 in covered wages during your base period to qualify for a new claim, but check with Washington ESD for the exact current requirements.

What kind of backup plan? I'm at week 8 but want to start preparing now.

Applied for food benefits, looked into local job training programs, researched temporary work agencies, and started networking more aggressively. Having options lined up reduces the stress.

The 26 weeks refers to weeks you actually receive benefits, not weeks you file claims. So if you were disqualified for a week or couldn't file, that typically wouldn't count against your 26 week limit.

That's a relief! I had one week where the system was down and I filed late.

yeah learned this the hard way, they can still disqualify you even in your final weeks if you dont keep up with job searches

Exactly! And if you get disqualified near the end, you might lose access to those final weeks permanently.

I was skeptical about using a service like that but honestly the Washington ESD phone system is impossible. Might have to give it a try.

I was skeptical too but it actually works. Much better than sitting on hold for hours just to get disconnected.

Good point! I hadn't thought about that scenario. What if you move but can still do your job searches for Washington employers?

You might be able to continue collecting if you can meet Washington's job search requirements, but it gets complicated. Definitely something to discuss with Washington ESD before moving.

I didn't realize there was a difference between those dates. Is there any advantage to filing right away vs waiting?

Generally you want to file as soon as you become unemployed and eligible. Waiting doesn't give you any advantage and you lose out on those early weeks of benefits.

How would that happen? I thought everyone gets 26 weeks?

Your total benefit amount is based on your earnings history. If you didn't work much or had low wages, your total benefit amount might only cover 20-25 weeks instead of the full 26.

I didn't know standby had the same limits. What happens if your employer keeps extending the standby period?

You'd need to transition to regular job search requirements once it becomes clear the layoff isn't truly temporary. Can't stay on standby indefinitely.

Totally agree! The information is scattered across different pages and half the time the phone system doesn't work.

This is exactly why services like Claimyr exist. The system is too confusing and hard to navigate on your own.

Glad we could help! Remember to start preparing for the transition before your benefits actually end.

Good luck with your job search! Hope you find something before those 12 weeks are up.