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

So the $14,500 shown on my determination letter - that gets divided by my weekly amount to show how many weeks I can collect?

Exactly! If your weekly benefit amount is $500, then $14,500 would last you 29 weeks, but regular UI is capped at 26 weeks maximum.

Thanks! So I have 26 weeks total to use throughout the entire year? What happens if I find a job for a few weeks then get laid off again?

Exactly right. If you go back to work and then get laid off again within your benefit year, you can resume collecting the remaining weeks you haven't used yet.

Those pandemic extensions (like PEUC and PUA) ended in 2021. Right now it's back to the standard 26 weeks unless Washington's unemployment rate triggers extended benefits, which hasn't happened recently.

oh ok that makes sense why i was confused

Thanks! So even if I find a job after 10 weeks and then get laid off again, I could still use the remaining 16 weeks within that same benefit year?

Exactly right! As long as you're still within your benefit year and haven't exhausted your 26-week maximum, you can reopen your claim.

Wait, so there's no way to get more than 26 weeks anymore? I thought there were federal extensions available sometimes.

Federal extensions only kick in during major economic downturns. Right now unemployment rates don't qualify Washington for extended benefits.

How much does something like that cost? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my questions.

It's worth it to get real answers instead of guessing. The agent told me exactly how my benefit year works and when I need to reapply.

Interesting, never heard of using a service to call ESD. Does it actually work better than calling myself?

Have you tried using Claimyr? I found out about it recently and it actually got me through to an ESD agent in like 20 minutes. They have this system that calls for you and waits on hold. Check out claimyr.com - there's even a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that but I'll definitely check it out. Anything is better than sitting on hold for hours.

Wait is that legit? Sounds too good to be true...

Your benefit year lasts exactly one year from when you first filed. After that year ends, you'd need to file a new claim if you're still unemployed.

ok so like if i filed in march 2024 then my benefits would end march 2025 even if i still had money left??

Yeah I'm already doing the job search activities. Do you know how many I need to do per week?

It's typically 3 job search activities per week, but check your specific requirements in your Washington ESD account. Some people have different requirements based on their situation.

Good point about the weekly claims. I've been doing them on Sundays. Is there a specific deadline each week?

You have to file by 11:59 PM on Saturday for the previous week. So if you're filing on Sunday, make sure it's before midnight Saturday technically.

Washington actually has some of the higher benefit amounts compared to other states. The maximum weekly benefit is over $900 now.

Higher amounts don't matter if you can only get them for 26 weeks. I know people who needed way longer to find work.

Never heard of that service before. Does it actually work? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my claim.

Yeah it worked for me. I was skeptical at first but it got me through to someone within a few hours instead of the usual endless busy signals.

Interesting, I might need to look into that if I run into issues. The Washington ESD phone system is definitely frustrating.

The weeks still count toward your 26 week limit even if you're working part-time and getting reduced benefits. Your benefit year keeps running.

That seems unfair - if I'm only getting partial benefits I should get to keep more weeks available.

I learned this the hard way. Worked part-time for 3 months thinking I was saving my full benefit weeks for later.

Washington eliminated the waiting week in 2021. You can get paid starting from your first eligible week now.

Oh nice! That's one less thing to worry about then.

Yeah I set up my WorkSourceWA account already. The job search logging is pretty straightforward once you get used to it.

Make sure you're doing qualifying activities though. Not all job search stuff counts toward the 3 weekly requirements.

What counts as job search activities? Is there a specific list?

Applying for jobs, networking events, career fairs, interviews, even some online job training courses. Keep detailed records in case they ask.

That's my biggest fear. What if I can't find anything by week 26? There's no backup plan.

She applied for temporary assistance through DSHS while job hunting. Not much money but something to help with basics.

While 26 weeks can feel short, there are still some extended benefit programs available during high unemployment periods. It's not as generous as the pandemic programs, but Washington does trigger extended benefits when unemployment rates hit certain thresholds.

Yeah right, when was the last time that actually happened? Those thresholds are set impossibly high.

Did they help you understand the reapplication process too? I'm worried about what happens when my benefit year ends.

Yes! The agent explained exactly when and how to file a new claim. Way better than trying to figure it out from the website.

Yes, as long as you're still within your benefit year (March 2024 to March 2025 in your case) and haven't used all 26 weeks, you can reopen your claim.

ok cool that makes sense. I was worried I'd have to start completely over.

Just make sure you meet the work requirements for reopening - you'll need to have earned enough wages during the time you were working.

No rollover. If your benefit year ends and you haven't used all 26 weeks, you lose them. But if you're still unemployed, you can file a new claim for a new benefit year.

That seems unfair but I guess it makes sense from their perspective.

Is there a formula for calculating the maximum? I'm trying to budget and plan ahead.

Your maximum benefit amount is typically 30% of your base period wages, but it can't exceed 26 times your weekly benefit amount. Washington ESD calculates this automatically when you file.

Really? So if I used 10 weeks then got a job, I'd still have 16 weeks left if I got laid off again?

Exactly, as long as it's within your same benefit year. But you'd need to meet the work requirements to reopen your claim.

What are the work requirements to reopen? I might be in this situation soon.

How much does something like that cost? Seems like it could get expensive.

It's really reasonable for what it does. Way cheaper than missing work to sit on hold all day. Plus they have good success rates getting through.

What exactly is standby status? I haven't heard of that before.

It's when you're temporarily laid off but expected to return to work within a specific timeframe. You don't have to do job search activities but you still use up your benefit weeks.

Right, and if your recall date gets pushed back beyond the expected timeframe, you'll need to start doing job search activities or your benefits could be affected.

Wait, so I won't get paid for my first week but I still lose a week of benefits? That seems unfair.

The waiting week is a one-time thing at the beginning of your benefit year. It's designed to ensure people are genuinely unemployed and not just filing frivolous claims.

That's scary. How long did her appeal take?

About 8 weeks total from filing to getting the decision. She did get back pay for the weeks she missed, but it was definitely stressful not knowing.

This is exactly why I wish there was an easier way to get information from Washington ESD without waiting weeks for appeals or sitting on hold forever.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already struggling financially.

It's worth checking out their site for details, but honestly the peace of mind was worth it for me when I was stressed about my benefits running out.

Have you looked into retraining programs? Washington has some workforce development programs that might extend your benefits while you learn new skills.

never heard of that... where would i find info about retraining programs?

Check WorkSourceWA or contact your local American Job Center. Some programs let you collect unemployment while in training.

What if I worked part-time during my benefit year? Would that help me qualify for a new claim?

Potentially yes, if you earned enough wages and worked enough hours during your benefit year. Washington ESD will evaluate your most recent quarters to see if you meet the requirements.

This is getting complicated. Is there a good resource that explains all these scenarios?

After regular UI ends, you might qualify for other assistance programs but not additional unemployment benefits unless extended benefits trigger (which requires high state unemployment rates). You'd need to look into things like SNAP, housing assistance, etc.

Also check with WorkSource for additional job training programs that might come with support payments.

Can you explain this more? I thought everyone got 26 weeks if they qualified.

Your total benefit amount is based on your wages. If that total divided by your weekly amount equals less than 26, you'll run out of money first.

Yeah I've looked at the website but some of the language is pretty confusing. I feel like I need someone to explain it in plain English.

Same here! The government websites are written like legal documents. Sometimes you just need a human explanation.

Wow, I never would have thought of that. So timing really matters when you file your weekly claims?

Exactly. Always file on time, even if the system seems slow or there are holidays. Late filing can cause you to lose weeks permanently.

Same! I feel much more confident about planning my job search timeline now.

That's what these forums are for. Unemployment can be overwhelming but understanding the system helps reduce the stress.

I did last year. It's definitely motivating to know you're getting close to the end. I ended up taking a job that wasn't perfect but at least got me working again.

That's what I'm worried about - settling for something just because the clock is running out.

Remember that even if you take a temporary or part-time job, you might still be able to collect partial benefits while you look for something better.

Yes! I keep checking my account trying to figure out exactly where I stand. A simple countdown would be helpful.

You can see your remaining balance in your account, but yeah, they could make it more prominent and easier to understand.

Good advice. I'm definitely taking the job search seriously from the start. Better to find something early than scramble at the end.

Agreed. I made the mistake of being too picky in the beginning and ended up rushing into a bad job at week 24. Better to be strategic throughout.

Thanks for mentioning that again. I bookmarked their site just in case I need it. Hopefully I won't, but it's good to know there are options.

I'm definitely going to check that out too. I've wasted so much time on hold already.

Good advice. I'm already applying to places but maybe I need to be more aggressive about it.

Definitely be aggressive. The job market is competitive right now and employers are taking longer to make decisions.

You still use a week of eligibility even if you work part-time, but your benefit amount gets reduced based on your earnings. There's a formula ESD uses to calculate partial benefits.

I think you can earn up to a certain amount before they start reducing your benefits. Check your handbook for the exact numbers.

Totally agree. The whole system could be way more user-friendly.

That's exactly why services like Claimyr exist. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person to get clear answers, and their phone system makes that nearly impossible without help.

Thanks for the reminder. I've been keeping screenshots of my applications and logging everything in WorkSourceWA.

Smart approach. Better to have too much documentation than not enough if they audit you.

Still not enough time in today's job market. Employers are pickier than ever and the hiring process takes forever.

True, but at least Washington doesn't have a waiting week like some states do. You get paid from week one if approved.

Good point. I filed about 2 weeks after my last day of work. Does that mean I lose 2 weeks off my benefit year?

Your benefit year starts when you file, but you can potentially get paid for the weeks you were unemployed before filing if you meet the requirements.

I collected for the full 26 weeks in 2023. They did audit my job search log around week 20. Had to submit detailed records of all my applications and contacts.

Were you stressed about running out? Did you have any backup plans lined up?

Definitely stressful. I was applying for anything remotely related to my field by the end. Fortunately found something in week 25.

Good advice. The application process for other assistance can take time, so better to start early.

Exactly. I see too many people scramble in week 25 when they should have been preparing backup plans earlier.

Did they help you figure out when to apply for a new claim if you're still unemployed after your benefit year ends?

Yes, they explained the whole reapplication process and what wages qualify you for a new claim. Super helpful for planning ahead.

Thanks everyone for all the detailed explanations. This really helped me understand what I'm working with.

You're welcome. Make sure to keep detailed job search records from day one - Washington ESD can audit at any time.

And don't forget you need to file your weekly claims every week to keep getting paid, even if you haven't found work yet.