How long do u get unemployment benefits in Washington - duration limits?

In Washington, regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits last up to 26 weeks maximum. However, the actual duration depends on your work history and earnings during your base period. Washington ESD calculates this based on your quarterly earnings from the last 5 completed quarters before you filed your claim.

I'm going through the same thing right now and honestly its been a nightmare trying to get through to Washington ESD to find out my exact benefit duration. Been calling for weeks and either get disconnected or sit on hold forever. My claim shows pending and I can't even see how many weeks I have left.

The 26 weeks is the standard maximum but theres also extended benefits that can kick in during high unemployment periods. Right now I don't think Washington has any extended programs running but that changes based on the state's unemployment rate.

been on unemployment twice in the past 3 years and both times got different durations. first time got 24 weeks, second time only got 18 weeks. depends on how much you worked and earned in your base period like the other person said

To clarify the calculation - Washington ESD looks at your earnings in the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed. They divide your total base period wages by your highest quarter earnings, then multiply by your weekly benefit amount. The result is your maximum benefit amount, which when divided by your weekly benefit gives you the number of weeks.

TWENTY SIX WEEKS IS NOT ENOUGH!! I've been looking for work for 8 months now and still haven't found anything decent. The system is broken when people can't find jobs but get cut off from benefits. What are we supposed to do, become homeless??

Pro tip - make sure you're doing your weekly claims on time and following all the job search requirements. If you mess up the weekly claims you can lose weeks of benefits even if you haven't hit your maximum duration yet.

I had to appeal my benefit duration because Washington ESD initially calculated it wrong. They only gave me 16 weeks but after the appeal I got the full 26. Don't just accept what they give you if it seems low - double check their math.

Also remember that if you work part time while collecting unemployment, those earnings can extend your claim duration. If you earn less than your weekly benefit amount, you can still collect partial unemployment and it doesn't count against your total weeks.

Just went through this whole process and couldn't get anyone at Washington ESD on the phone to explain my benefit duration. Finally used Claimyr and got connected to an agent in like 10 minutes. They explained everything clearly and I found out I actually had 4 more weeks than I thought.

make sure you understand the difference between regular UI and standby. if you're on standby (like temporary layoff expecting to be called back), the duration rules might be different. i was confused about this for weeks

One thing to watch out for - if you've collected unemployment in the past year, it might affect your current claim duration. Washington ESD looks at whether you've established a new base period since your last claim.

The whole system is confusing tbh. I just filed my claim last week and still don't know exactly how many weeks I'll get. Washington ESD website says they'll tell me after they process everything but who knows how long that will take.

If anyone's having trouble getting through to Washington ESD about their benefit duration, I had success with Claimyr too. They connected me to an agent who walked me through exactly how my weeks were calculated and what I needed to do to maximize my benefits.

remember that 26 weeks is the MAXIMUM, not guaranteed. your actual duration could be shorter depending on your work history. also if you quit your job (as opposed to being laid off) you might not qualify at all