How long do you get unemployment for in Washington - confused about benefit duration

That makes sense! So even though my benefit year goes to December, I can only get paid for 26 weeks total during that time period?

Exactly right. The benefit year is just the timeframe you have to use those 26 weeks. You don't have to use them consecutively either - if you work part-time some weeks, those don't count toward your 26 weeks.

The federal extensions like PEUC ended in 2021. Right now it's back to the standard 26 weeks maximum for regular UI benefits in Washington.

ah ok that explains the confusion, thanks for clarifying

Interesting, I've been trying to call ESD for weeks but keep getting the busy signal. Does this actually work?

Yeah, it's been pretty reliable for me. The call volume to ESD is insane so getting through on your own is nearly impossible, but this service handles the calling for you.

what's standby status? is that different from regular unemployment?

Standby is when your employer temporarily lays you off but expects to call you back within a specific timeframe. You don't have to do the job search requirements, but you still have the same 26-week limit.

oh ok, that doesn't apply to me since I was permanently laid off

What kind of job search activities do I need to do? I've been applying to jobs but I'm not sure if I'm documenting it right.

You need to do 3 job search activities per week and log them in your eServices account. Apply for jobs, contact employers directly, attend job fairs, stuff like that. Keep detailed records!

No, weeks you're in adjudication don't count toward your 26 weeks. The clock only starts ticking on weeks you're actually eligible to receive benefits, whether you get paid or not.

Ok good, I was worried I was losing weeks while stuck in this process. This adjudication thing is taking forever though.

Adjudication delays are super common right now. If you need to check on the status or get an update, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier is really helpful for reaching ESD agents who can actually look up your case.

You can only start a new claim if you've worked enough and earned enough wages since your last claim started. You need to meet the monetary eligibility requirements again.

makes sense, so basically you need to work again before you can get another claim

I feel you. The 26 weeks made sense when the economy was good but now it's just not enough time to find decent work.

Exactly! And trying to get through to ESD to ask about any other programs is impossible. Their phone system is a joke.

So if I work part-time one week and only get $50 in benefits instead of my full $400, that still counts as one of my 26 weeks?

Yes, exactly. Any week you file a claim counts toward your 26, even if you only get partial benefits or no benefits due to earnings.

You should definitely connect with WorkSource Washington if you haven't already. They have job placement services, training programs, and other resources for people getting close to exhausting benefits.

Good idea, I'll look into that. I've been focusing so much on the weekly claims that I haven't explored other services.

No, you can continue your Washington ESD claim even if you move out of state. You just need to update your address and continue following Washington's job search requirements.

That's a relief! I was worried about losing everything if I had to relocate for family reasons.

Really? I had no idea it varied that much by state. 12 weeks seems impossibly short.

Yeah, it's based on state laws. During recessions, the federal government sometimes steps in with extensions, but that's not happening right now.

That's exactly what I'm worried about. How are you managing now without benefits?

Honestly, it's been rough. I've had to ask family for help and I'm considering taking a job that pays way less than what I was making. The pressure is real once benefits end.

How much does that service cost? I'm already stretched thin financially.

The cost varies but honestly it was worth it for me to get definitive answers instead of guessing. Check out their website at claimyr.com for current pricing.

Yes, that was exactly my confusion! The benefit year made it sound like I could collect for 12 months.

Right, the benefit year is just the window of time you have to use your 26 weeks. If you find work after 10 weeks, you still have 16 weeks left to use if you become unemployed again within that same benefit year.

I haven't seen any recent proposals. The state would have to fund longer durations themselves since federal extensions aren't happening right now.

Makes sense. Seems like something they should consider given the current job market conditions.

Good point. I should probably start a calendar or something to track where I am in the 26 weeks.

Definitely do that. Also, your eServices account shows how many weeks you have left, but it's easy to forget to check it regularly.

Glad it helped! The 26 weeks can feel like a lot at first but using them strategically is important. Good luck with your job search!

Same here, this cleared up all my confusion about the benefit year vs actual weeks of benefits. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain.