How long can you get unemployment benefits in Washington State?

Thanks! So it's definitely 26 weeks no matter what? I thought I heard something about extensions during certain times.

Extensions only happen during periods of high unemployment when the federal government authorizes them. Right now it's just the standard 26 weeks.

What exactly do I need to do for job search requirements?

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of them. Washington ESD can audit this anytime so keep good records of where you applied, when, and any responses you got.

Thanks! So even if I find work after 10 weeks, I could theoretically still use the remaining 16 weeks later if I get laid off again during that same benefit year?

Exactly! As long as you're still within your benefit year and haven't exhausted all 26 weeks, you can reopen your claim if you become unemployed again.

OMG yes the phone situation is horrible! I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you through to ESD agents. They have this demo video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Basically they handle all the calling and waiting for you.

Is that legit? I'm so desperate at this point I'll try anything but I don't want to get scammed.

It's totally legit - they don't ask for your personal info or passwords or anything. They just do the calling part and connect you when they get through to an actual person.

Wait what's a waiting week? And what's adjudication?

Washington doesn't have waiting weeks anymore, I was thinking of other states. But adjudication is when ESD has to investigate something about your claim before approving benefits. It can add weeks to when you start getting paid but doesn't reduce your total benefit duration.

My claim was in adjudication for like 6 weeks last year because of some issue with my separation reason. Super stressful but once it was resolved I got all the back pay.

How do they calculate that? I worked full-time for about 2 years before getting laid off.

They look at your earnings during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters). With 2 years of full-time work, you should qualify for the full 26 weeks assuming you earned enough.

How does partial unemployment work exactly?

If you work part-time and earn less than your weekly benefit amount plus $5, you can still get partial unemployment. You just report your earnings when you file your weekly claim and ESD calculates the reduction.

Be super careful about reporting earnings correctly though. I made a mistake once and ended up with an overpayment notice that took months to resolve.

That sounds like you might have an identity verification issue or separation issue that needs to be resolved. Have you been able to speak with an adjudicator?

I CAN'T GET THROUGH TO ANYONE! The phone system is a joke and their online messaging system never gets responses.

I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. They got me through to an ESD agent in like 20 minutes and I finally got my issue sorted out. Definitely worth checking out their website.

So if I use up all 26 weeks and then get another job and lose it 2 months later, I can't get unemployment again?

Correct, not until your benefit year expires. Then you'd need to file a completely new claim and meet the earnings requirements again.

This is why it's important to really focus on your job search and not just coast on unemployment if possible.

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr. They help you get through to Washington ESD agents by handling the calling for you. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made my life so much easier!

That sounds almost too good to be true. Does it actually work?

I was skeptical too but it really does work. They call repeatedly until they get through and then conference you in. Saved me hours of frustration trying to reach Washington ESD myself.

Yes, during the pandemic there were federal extensions that could add up to 79 weeks total in some cases, but all of those programs ended in 2021. Now it's back to the standard 26 weeks maximum.

Those were the days... I got like 18 months of benefits total between regular UI and all the extensions.

What happens if I go on a short vacation? Do I just not file that week?

You still file your weekly claim but you answer "no" to the question about being available for work. You won't get paid for that week but it keeps your claim active.

I learned this the hard way when I went to visit family for a week and didn't report it properly. ESD flagged my claim for review.

26 weeks is the standard maximum in most states, including Washington. It's designed to give people enough time to find suitable employment, not just any job. The system recognizes that finding good work takes time.

Exactly. And remember, you're paying into this system while you work. These aren't handouts - they're insurance benefits you've earned through your previous employment.

I don't understand the 30% thing. How do they calculate that?

They look at your earnings during your "base period" which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 quarters before you filed. If 30% of those total earnings is less than 26 times your weekly benefit amount, that becomes your maximum instead.

This mostly affects people who had very high earnings in a short period or unusual work patterns. Most people get the full 26 weeks worth.

What's the difference with standby? My employer said they might call me back when business picks up.

With standby you don't have to do job search activities but you have to be available to return to work immediately when called. It still counts toward your 26 week maximum though.

Standby is great if you qualify but make sure your employer actually files the proper paperwork. Mine didn't and I had to switch to regular UI.

Correct. The federal pandemic programs like PEUC and PUA ended in September 2021. We're back to the standard 26-week maximum for regular UI benefits in Washington.

Good to know. I was getting confused reading old articles that mentioned longer benefit periods.

That makes sense. Thanks everyone for all the detailed information! This has been really helpful.

Good luck with your job search! The Washington job market is pretty good right now in most sectors.

If you run into any issues with ESD not responding or your claim getting stuck, definitely try that Claimyr service people mentioned. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person to get things resolved.

What exactly are the job search requirements? I've been applying to jobs but haven't been keeping detailed records.

You need to make at least 3 job search activities each week and keep a log of them. This includes applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking activities, etc. Washington ESD can audit your job search activities.

I better start keeping better records then. Thanks for the heads up!

Washington State can trigger Extended Benefits (EB) during periods of high unemployment, but this is rare and depends on specific economic indicators. There's no automatic extension beyond 26 weeks right now.

Makes sense. I guess 26 weeks should be enough time to find something if I really focus on my job search.

That's stressful! Have you considered reaching out to WorkSource for additional job search help? They have services specifically for people nearing the end of their benefit period.

I registered with WorkSource but haven't used their services much. Maybe I should look into their workshops and job placement assistance.

I tried calling Washington ESD about options near the end of benefits but couldn't get through. That Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier might be worth trying to get real advice from an agent.

Your benefit year starts from the Sunday of the week you first filed your initial claim, regardless of how long approval took. So yes, those 3 weeks of processing time are part of your 52-week benefit year.

Got it. So I essentially lost 3 weeks of potential benefits due to the processing delay?

If your claim was approved, you should receive back-pay for those waiting weeks as long as you were eligible. The processing time doesn't reduce your 26 weeks of potential benefits.

You can't just reapply immediately after exhausting benefits. You need to work and earn sufficient wages to establish a new base period before you can qualify for a new claim. This typically requires working for several months.

That makes sense. So it's not like you can just keep cycling through unemployment benefits indefinitely.

Yes, Washington allows partial benefits if you're working part-time and earning less than your weekly benefit amount plus $5. Your benefits are reduced dollar-for-dollar for earnings over that threshold, but you can still extend your claim duration.

That's helpful to know. So taking a part-time job won't necessarily end my benefits completely.

The 26-week maximum applies to everyone, including seasonal workers. However, if you regularly work seasonal jobs, you might want to look into whether you qualify for standby status instead of regular UI.

What's standby status? I've never heard of that.

Standby is for people who are temporarily laid off but expect to return to the same employer within 8 weeks. It has different requirements - you don't have to do job searches but you can't work for other employers.

The remaining weeks stay available within your benefit year (52 weeks from when you first filed), but they don't carry over to a new benefit year. So if you find work and get laid off again within the same benefit year, you can use the remaining weeks.

So it's use it or lose it within that 52-week period. Good to know!

Washington ESD uses the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you file in January 2025, they'd look at wages from January-December 2024. This determines both your benefit amount and duration.

That's really specific. I guess that's why they need all that employment history when you apply.

I came close during the 2008 recession - used about 24 weeks before finding work. It really depends on your industry and the job market. Some people find work quickly, others need more time.

I used all 26 weeks a few years ago. It was stressful but I'm glad the system gave me enough time to find a good job instead of just taking anything out of desperation.

Yes, they typically send notices when you have a few weeks left. You'll also see your remaining balance decrease each week when you file your weekly claims online.

That's reassuring. At least they give you a heads up so you can plan accordingly.

Just remember, if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your remaining benefits or next steps, that Claimyr service I mentioned can really help you get through their phone system.