How long do unemployment benefits typically last in Washington state?

Thanks! That's actually longer than I expected. Do I need to do anything special to get the full 26 weeks or is it automatic if I keep filing my weekly claims?

You need to file your weekly claims every week and meet the job search requirements. As long as you're actively looking for work and reporting it, you should be able to collect for the full duration if needed.

Yeah the extended benefits stuff was mostly during COVID. Now it's back to normal duration.

wait so if I lose my job I can get money for 6 whole months?? that seems like a lot

It's not free money - you have to have worked and paid into the system, and you need to actively search for work. It's meant to be a safety net while you find new employment.

Oh man I totally feel you on this! I was having the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's this service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. I used it and actually got connected within like 20 minutes. Check out claimyr.com - they even have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Have you tried calling right when they open? I got through once doing that but it took like 45 minutes of waiting on hold.

What's a base period? I worked for 3 years at my last job so I'm hoping I qualify for the full amount.

The base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. With 3 years of work history you should definitely qualify for the maximum duration.

this stuff is so confusing why cant they just make it simple

It varies by state. Some states do have shorter durations. Washington is actually pretty good compared to some other places.

Yeah my friend in Florida only got like 12 weeks when she got laid off. Washington's system is definitely better.

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying to jobs or other stuff too?

Applying for jobs, networking events, career fairs, updating your resume with WorkSource, interviews, that kind of stuff. You have to log it all in your weekly claim.

I hate the job search requirements. Like I'm obviously looking for work, why do I have to document every little thing?

Yes, Washington has partial unemployment benefits. You can work part-time and still collect some UI as long as you report your wages accurately on your weekly claim.

That's good to know! I was worried taking any work would cut me off completely.

Wait that's confusing. Can you explain the difference between benefit year and how long benefits last?

Sure! Your benefit year is the 52-week period starting when you first file your claim. During that year, you can collect up to 26 weeks of benefits total. So if you collect 10 weeks, find a job, then get laid off again 6 months later, you could potentially collect the remaining 16 weeks if you're still in the same benefit year.

Hang in there! What field are you in? Maybe some of us can share job search tips.

I'm in marketing/advertising. Lots of companies seem to be cutting those positions first when they downsize.

Have you tried reaching out to temp agencies? Sometimes that can lead to permanent positions.

That's kind of scary. What do people do after 26 weeks if they still can't find work?

Unfortunately you'd have to look into other assistance programs like SNAP, housing assistance, or other social services. That's why it's really important to use the 26 weeks actively job searching.

This is why I'm trying to be really strategic about my job search. I don't want to waste any of those 26 weeks.

Good point! I actually filed my claim the day after I got laid off. Hopefully that was quick enough.

That's perfect timing. The sooner you file, the sooner your benefit year starts and the sooner you can start collecting.

That happened to me too! I ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier to get through to an agent and figure out what was holding up my claim. Wish I had known about it sooner.

Adjudication delays are the worst. They should pause your benefit year clock when there are processing delays on their end.

How do you get approved for standby? My company said they might bring me back but it's not guaranteed.

Your employer has to specify it when they respond to Washington ESD about your claim. If there's no definite return date or it's not certain, you'd probably be on regular UI with job search requirements.

Is there a calculator somewhere to estimate what I might get? I want to plan my budget accordingly.

Washington ESD has a benefit calculator on their website. You'll need your wage information from the past year to get an accurate estimate.

The calculator is pretty accurate. I was off by like $20 from what it estimated vs what I actually got approved for.

So if my weekly amount is $400, my maximum would be $10,400 total?

Exactly! And once you've collected that $10,400, you're done for that benefit year, even if it hasn't been 26 weeks yet.

What day of the week do you have to file by?

You can file starting Sunday for the previous week, and the deadline is usually Saturday night. I always do mine on Sunday morning to make sure I don't forget.

I set a reminder on my phone every Sunday. Missing even one week would stress me out so much!

Good luck with your job search! Hopefully you won't need all 26 weeks and find something great soon.

Glad we could help! This forum is great for getting real answers about unemployment stuff.

I'm definitely bookmarking that for future reference. Better to know about it before you need it!