How long do unemployment benefits last in Washington State?

Thanks! I'll log into my SAW account and check that. Good to know it's based on work history too.

Yeah the base period calculation can be confusing but it's usually pretty close to 26 weeks for most people

That makes sense. I worked full time for 3 years before the layoff so I should qualify for the maximum then.

Wait so if someone only worked part of the year they might get less than 26 weeks? That seems harsh

Right, it's proportional to your earnings. Someone who only worked 6 months might only qualify for 13 weeks of benefits.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to ESD agents - check out claimyr.com. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Really? I've never heard of that. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legit. Used it last month when I had questions about my job search requirements. Got connected to an actual ESD agent within a few hours instead of calling for days.

Good point! I've been filing every Sunday. Is there a grace period if you forget?

You can file a late claim but it's better to just stay on schedule. Set a phone reminder or something.

The pandemic extensions like PEUC ended a while ago. Right now it's back to the standard 26 weeks maximum unless there's high unemployment in your area that triggers extended benefits.

Extended benefits are pretty rare. Washington would need to hit specific unemployment thresholds and even then it's not automatic.

Yeah I've been applying to jobs daily and logging them in WorkSourceWA. How many do I need per week?

It's 3 job search activities per week minimum. Can be applications, networking, job fairs, etc. Just document everything.

The job search log is so tedious but you definitely need to keep up with it or they can disqualify you

I found a job on week 23 last year. The key is ramping up your search intensity as you get closer to the end date.

Same here, got hired on week 18. The pressure definitely motivated me to apply more broadly than I was initially.

Part-time work can extend your benefit year since you're not using up your full weekly amount. Washington ESD has partial benefit calculations that let you work part-time and still collect some unemployment.

That's actually really helpful to know. I was worried part-time work would just reduce my total benefit time.

There kind of is - if you log into your ESD account it shows your benefit year dates and remaining balance. That's the most accurate info you'll get.

The problem is when your account is stuck in adjudication and you can't see anything useful lol

How much does something like that cost? I'm on unemployment so money's tight obviously

Worth checking their site for current info, but for me it was worth it to get actual answers instead of guessing about my claim status.

What did you do after benefits ended? Did you apply for any other assistance programs?

Had to look into food assistance and other local programs. Also reached out to family for temporary help. It's tough but you figure it out.

The WorkSource offices have been super helpful. I didn't know about half the resources they offer until I actually went in person.

Training programs are great but make sure they align with actual job opportunities in your area. Don't just pick something random.

Oh wow, I didn't realize it worked that way. So the clock is ticking on the whole year, not just when you're collecting?

Exactly. Your benefit year starts when you first file, regardless of whether you're actively collecting or working.

This is why it's important to understand your benefit year end date, not just how many weeks of payments you have left

You're not alone. I had to completely pivot my job search strategy around week 20. Started looking at adjacent fields and roles I wouldn't have considered initially.

Same boat here. Week 24 and getting desperate. The stress is real when you can see the end coming.

Hang in there. I know people who found jobs in the final weeks. Sometimes that deadline pressure actually helps focus your search.

That's a smart idea. Mind sharing what columns you track? I might set up something similar.

I track week number, payment date, amount received, job applications that week, and remaining balance. Keeps me organized and motivated.

I agree it's not enough time for everyone, but there has to be some limit or people would just stay on benefits indefinitely.

True, but maybe the duration should vary based on local job market conditions or your field. One size fits all doesn't make sense.

Some states do have variable durations based on unemployment rates. Washington's system is pretty standard though.

I keep seeing Claimyr mentioned. Is this like a paid service or what's the deal?

Yeah it helps you get through the phone queues to actually reach ESD agents. Check out their demo video if you're curious about how it works.

This has been super helpful everyone. I feel much more informed about what to expect now. Thanks for all the advice!

Good luck with your job search! Hope you find something before your benefits run out.