How long is unemployment insurance in Washington - confused about benefit duration

Thanks! So if I made decent money in my highest quarter, I should get the full 26 weeks?

Not necessarily - it's your TOTAL base period earnings that matter, not just the highest quarter. You need substantial earnings across the entire base period to qualify for the maximum duration.

I haven't received a determination letter yet, just the approval notification. Should I have gotten that already?

yeah you should get it within a few days of approval, mine came pretty quick

Interesting, I'll check that out. The phone lines are always busy when I try to call Washington ESD.

Never heard of that service before but honestly anything to avoid sitting on hold for hours sounds good to me

No, that's not how it works. The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim. Washington ESD looks at your total wages during that period to calculate both your weekly benefit amount AND your benefit duration.

Ugh this is so confusing. Why can't they just make it simple - if you worked a year, you get benefits for X weeks?

because the system is designed to be complicated and keep people from getting what they deserve. classic government bureaucracy

That's helpful context! I was making around $35k so hopefully I'll qualify for close to the full amount.

The wage amount matters more than how long you worked, from what I understand

Extended benefits only kick in during specific economic conditions when the state unemployment rate meets federal triggers. Washington isn't currently in an extended benefit period.

Good to know, thanks for clarifying that

Yeah I've been keeping track of my job search activities. How many applications do you need to submit each week?

It's 3 job search activities per week, but they don't all have to be applications. Can include networking, attending job fairs, etc.

Make sure you're logging everything in WorkSourceWA too, they check that during audits

Did you have any issues with the weekly claims process? I'm worried about messing something up.

First few weeks were nerve-wracking but it becomes routine. Just be honest about any work or income, even if it's just a few hours or gig work.

I didn't have any gaps, worked consistently for those 18 months. Hoping that helps my case.

Consistent work history definitely helps with both weekly benefit amount and duration

Or use that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier - saves you from having to time your calls perfectly and deal with busy signals.

True, that might be worth trying if the traditional methods aren't working

Correct, no federal extensions currently available like there were during COVID

Got it, so 26 weeks maximum is what I should expect then

That's good to know! So if I find a job after 10 weeks of benefits, I'd still have 16 weeks available if I needed them later?

Exactly, as long as it's within your benefit year and you meet the requalification requirements

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I'll wait for my determination letter and keep up with my weekly claims in the meantime.

Good plan - and remember to keep detailed records of your job search activities from day one

Best of luck with everything! The uncertainty is the worst part but it gets easier once you understand your specific situation.