How long does unemployment last in Washington ESD - confused about benefit duration limits

Regular unemployment benefits in Washington state last up to 26 weeks maximum in most cases. This is based on your base year earnings and how much you earned during your highest quarter. The exact number of weeks depends on your work history - some people might qualify for fewer weeks if they didn't work enough.

The 26 week thing is correct but there's also extended benefits that can kick in during high unemployment periods. Right now I don't think we're in an extended benefit period in Washington but that can change. Also if you work part time while on UI it doesn't necessarily extend your benefit year, it just affects your weekly payment amount.

I've been trying to get clear info about my benefit duration from Washington ESD for weeks but can never get through on the phone. The website doesn't give you a clear answer about your specific case either. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there about this stuff?

Your benefit year lasts 52 weeks from when you first filed your claim, but you can only collect up to 26 weeks of payments during that year (unless extended benefits are available). So if you go back to work for a few months and then get laid off again, you might still have weeks left in your original benefit year.

ugh the whole system is so confusing! I've been on unemployment since November and still don't fully understand how it all works. Sometimes I feel like they make it complicated on purpose so people give up and stop filing claims.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you're on standby status (like seasonal workers), the rules might be slightly different. But for regular UI claims from a layoff, 26 weeks is the standard maximum.

I'm currently collecting UI and working part time. It doesn't extend my benefit duration but it does reduce my weekly payment. Washington ESD has a formula where they subtract your part time earnings from your weekly benefit amount. You can still work up to a certain amount without losing your whole payment for that week.

Been unemployed twice in the past 5 years and both times got the full 26 weeks. The key is to keep filing your weekly claims on time every week and do your job search activities. Miss too many weeks and you might not use up all your available benefits before your benefit year expires.

Does anyone know if the 26 week limit ever gets extended? Like during recessions or high unemployment periods? I remember hearing about that during COVID but not sure if it's still a thing.

Just want to add that if you exhaust your regular UI benefits and still haven't found work, there might be other programs to look into like WorkFirst or job training programs through WorkSource. Not the same as unemployment payments but could help with your situation.

I tried calling Washington ESD about this exact question last month and spent 3 hours on hold before getting disconnected. Finally used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and got through to an agent the same day. She confirmed my specific benefit duration and explained how the benefit year works. Worth the money just to get actual answers instead of guessing.

The 26 weeks is definitely correct for Washington state regular UI. I just finished using all mine up after being unemployed for 6 months. Make sure you're doing your job search activities every week because they can audit that and if you haven't been actually looking for work they can disqualify you and make you pay back benefits.

Something else to consider - if you're thinking about going back to school or doing training while on UI, there are special rules about that. You might be able to get approval to do training instead of regular job search but you have to get it approved first.

Just to be super clear for the original poster - in Washington state you get UP TO 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits, but the exact amount depends on your work history and earnings. Your benefit year lasts 52 weeks total, giving you time to use those 26 weeks even if you find temporary work. File your weekly claims on time, do your job searches, and report any earnings accurately.