How many months does Washington ESD unemployment last - confused about benefit duration

Thanks! So even though my benefit year is 12 months, I can only collect for 6 months total?

Exactly. The benefit year is just the timeframe you have to use those 26 weeks of benefits.

How do I find out exactly how many weeks I qualify for? Is that in my determination letter?

Yes, check your monetary determination letter from Washington ESD. It should show your weekly benefit amount and maximum benefit amount, which you can divide to get your total weeks.

Interesting, I've been trying to call for days but keep getting the busy signal. How does this service work exactly?

It basically handles the calling process for you and connects you when an agent becomes available. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.

No, that's not correct. Regular UI benefits in Washington are up to 26 weeks, which is about 6.5 months.

oh weird maybe she was thinking of something else or didn't qualify for the full amount

Some people just want to ask real people instead of trying to navigate government websites. No need to be rude about it.

Fair point, but it's frustrating when the same basic questions get asked over and over when the info is readily available.

Good point! I've been filing every Sunday like clockwork. Do I need to keep doing job searches too?

Yes, you need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and be ready to provide details if asked. Keep records of where you applied.

That's exactly why I started using Claimyr - got tired of the runaround and inconsistent info. At least when you reach an actual agent through their service, you can get your specific questions answered.

I might have to try that. This whole process is so stressful when you're already dealing with being unemployed.

Did you have any issues with the weekly claims process? I'm worried about making a mistake that would mess up my benefits.

The weekly claims are pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. Just be honest about any work or income, and make sure to file by the deadline each week.

Really? I didn't know that was possible. How does that work exactly?

If you earn less than your weekly benefit amount plus $5, you can still collect partial benefits. It's called working while receiving benefits, and it can stretch out your total benefit period.

There's no automatic extension for regular unemployment benefits. Once you exhaust your 26 weeks, you'd need to file a new claim if you're still unemployed and meet the requirements.

ugh that's what i was afraid of. guess i really need to step up the job search in these last few weeks

Yes, it does vary by state. Washington is 26 weeks for regular benefits, but other states might have different durations.

makes sense, thanks for clarifying that

Good advice. I've been applying to about 5-6 jobs per week, trying to stay ahead of the minimum requirements.

That's smart. Also consider using WorkSource for additional job search resources - they have free services that can help.

I don't think I had a waiting week - my first payment came pretty quickly after approval. Does that mean I get the full 26 weeks of payments?

If you didn't have to serve a waiting week, then yes, you should get 26 weeks of actual payments.

Totally agree. Government websites are the worst for actually finding the info you need quickly.

Right? Like just give me a simple FAQ that answers the basic questions in plain English.

Temp work can be great because you can often still collect partial benefits if the temp pay is low enough. Plus it keeps your resume active.

That's a good point about staying active. I'll look into some temp agencies this week.

I keep seeing people mention this service. Might be worth trying since I have some specific questions about my claim.

Yeah, way better than playing phone tag with the regular Washington ESD number. The agent I talked to was really helpful and patient.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! This thread has been way more useful than trying to navigate the Washington ESD website.

You're welcome! Hope you find something good soon.

Extended benefits only kick in during periods of high unemployment and are automatically added if you qualify. Most people won't have access to them currently.

good to know, thanks for the clarification

Yeah, I'm trying to treat it like a full-time job. Spending 6-8 hours a day on applications and networking.

That's the right approach. I wish I had done that from the start instead of getting comfortable with the benefits.

What do you mean by reopening a claim? Can you do that if you find temporary work?

Yes, if you go back to work temporarily and then become unemployed again within your benefit year, you can potentially reopen your existing claim rather than filing a new one.