How many months can you collect unemployment benefits in Washington?

Thanks! What exactly is the base period? Is that just the last year I worked?

The base period is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim. So if you filed in January 2025, your base period would be January 2024 through September 2024.

Good to know about the job search requirement. Is WorkSourceWA the only place I can log activities?

Yeah, you have to use their system. It's kind of clunky but you get used to it. Just make sure you're documenting everything properly.

What if you can't get through to Washington ESD to check your benefit calculation? I've been trying to call for days and can't reach anyone.

Yeah the phone lines are always jammed. You could try checking your account online, but if you need to talk to someone, there's actually a service called Claimyr that helps people get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

That's good advice. Did you end up finding something before your benefits ran out?

Barely! Got hired literally 2 weeks before my benefits ended. The stress was real.

It's been 26 weeks (about 6 months) for regular unemployment in Washington for years. You might be thinking of a different state or a different type of benefit.

oh maybe i was thinking of something else. thanks for clarifying

How much can you earn before it affects your benefits?

It's calculated based on your weekly benefit amount. Generally, you can earn up to your weekly benefit amount minus $5 before they start reducing your payment. But you still need to report ALL earnings on your weekly claim.

Same here! I gave up trying to call and just hope my online account is accurate. So frustrating.

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. Sometimes you really do need to talk to an actual person at Washington ESD and their service makes that possible without spending hours on hold.

24 weeks is pretty good! That gives you almost 6 months to find something. Just remember to keep up with your weekly claims and job search requirements.

Congrats on getting approved! The hardest part is over.

Already started applying! Figure it's better to be proactive about it.

Smart approach. Good luck with your search!

What kind of issues cause adjudication? Want to make sure I avoid any problems.

Things like questions about why you left your job, eligibility issues, or if there are discrepancies in your work history. Just be honest and thorough when filling out your application.

I feel you! Those last few weeks are stressful. Have you tried expanding your search area or looking at different types of jobs?

Yeah I've been applying to everything remotely related to my field. Fingers crossed something comes through soon.

You'd need to establish a new benefit year by working and earning enough wages to qualify again. It's not automatic - you have to meet the earnings requirements in a new base period.

Got it, so you can't just cycle through unemployment benefits indefinitely. Makes sense.

This is so true. I spent more time trying to contact them than actually job searching some weeks.

That's exactly the problem Claimyr solves. Instead of spending hours trying to get through, you can actually reach someone who can answer your questions. Worth checking out if you're having contact issues.

Yeah I set a reminder on my phone so I don't forget to file my weekly claim.

smart! i missed one week early on and it was a headache to get it fixed

Really? So if I work a few weeks here and there, I still get my full 24 weeks of benefits?

Exactly! The weeks you work and don't claim benefits don't count against your total. Your benefit year is 52 weeks long, so you have that whole year to use your allocated weeks.

Thanks for clarifying that distinction. So I have a full year to use my 24 weeks of benefits if needed.

Correct! It gives you some flexibility if you find temporary work or have other gaps in your unemployment.

Emergency extensions are rare and usually only happen during major economic crises or disasters. Right now, 26 weeks is the standard maximum for regular UI benefits in Washington.

Figured as much. Better to plan on the 26 weeks and not count on any extensions.

Good point. I've been keeping detailed records of all my applications and networking activities.

That's the way to do it. Better to over-document than get caught without proof later.

Absolutely. I'm treating this as temporary support while I find my next opportunity, not a long-term solution.

That's the right attitude. Good luck with your search!