How many months do you get unemployment benefits in Washington state?

Thanks! So it's definitely 26 weeks max? I was hoping it might be longer since I worked for so long at my last job.

Yep, 26 weeks is the standard maximum for regular UI benefits. The length of time you worked affects whether you qualify and your weekly benefit amount, but not the duration.

Did you have any trouble getting through to file your claim? I keep hearing the phone lines are impossible.

Oh man, calling Washington ESD is a nightmare. I must have tried hundreds of times. Ended up using this service called Claimyr that helped me get through - you can check it out at claimyr.com. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Wait so during COVID people got more than 26 weeks? I missed all that since I kept my job thankfully.

Yes, during the pandemic there were federal extension programs that added extra weeks, plus special programs like PUA. But those all ended in 2021. Now we're back to regular state UI only.

Good to know, thanks for the clarification!

That's what I'm worried about. How strict are they about the job search requirements?

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep detailed records. Washington ESD does audit these, so don't skip it or make fake entries.

How do they calculate the weekly amount?

It's based on your highest quarter of earnings in your base period. For someone making $45k like you, you'd probably get somewhere around $600-700 per week, but use the Washington ESD calculator online to get exact numbers.

That seems high to me. I was making about the same and only got like $500/week.

Thanks! Are you finding decent job opportunities in your field?

It's been tough but things are picking up. Had two interviews last week so hopefully something pans out soon.

What do you mean by might not qualify for a week?

Like if you work part-time hours or have other income. You might still get partial benefits, but if you don't file that week you lose it completely.

This is crucial advice. Always file your weekly claim even if you think you earned too much that week.

Actually 26 weeks is pretty standard nationwide. Some states have less (like Florida at 12 weeks) but Washington's 26 weeks is typical.

Oh wow, I had no idea some states were so stingy with unemployment benefits.

It was definitely a layoff - company downsized and eliminated my whole department. Should be fine there.

Perfect, that's clearly a qualifying separation. You shouldn't have any issues with eligibility.

Already started! Put in 5 applications this week. Hoping to find something quickly.

That's great! Keep that momentum up and document everything for your job search log.

Severance can affect your unemployment benefits depending on how it's structured. If it's paid as a lump sum, it might not affect weekly benefits. If it's paid out over time, it could reduce your weekly benefit amount. Best to check with Washington ESD directly.

Thanks, I'll look into that if it comes up.

Is that the same service someone mentioned earlier? Claimyr.com?

Yeah that's it. They help you get through to actual Washington ESD agents when the phone lines are jammed. Saved me so much frustration.

That's good to know! What's the limit before they cut you off?

It depends on your weekly benefit amount, but generally you can earn about 1.5 times your weekly benefit before you get nothing. So if your benefit is $600, you could earn up to about $900 and still get some unemployment.

The exact calculation is more complex than that, but the general principle is right - partial work doesn't automatically disqualify you.

That's exactly what I'm worried about. I'm in marketing and it seems like every position has 100+ applicants.

Yeah the market is rough right now. Just stay persistent and try to network as much as possible.

Is WorkSourceWA required or just optional?

It's not required but they have good resources and networking events. Can't hurt to check them out.

Self-employed people can sometimes qualify for unemployment benefits in certain situations, but it's much more limited than regular UI. Worth looking into if your business income drops significantly.

I'll have to research that, thanks for the heads up.

What kind of issues cause delays?

Things like if your employer disputes your reason for separation, or if there are questions about your work history. Sometimes it's just random identity verification stuff that can take forever to resolve.

This is exactly why services like Claimyr are helpful - if you get stuck in adjudication, you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD to get it resolved.

Good point! I'll make sure to set aside some money for taxes.

Yeah it's easy to forget since it feels like free money, but the IRS definitely wants their cut.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! This thread has been super informative.

Happy to help! Feel free to ask if you run into any issues with your claim.

Yeah this is a great community for unemployment questions. We've all been there!