How many months to collect unemployment in Washington - what's the max time?

Thanks! What's a base period exactly? Is that just the last year I worked?

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

Your cousin is right - Washington ESD calculates your benefit duration based on your total base period wages. You need to have earned at least 680 hours worth of wages at minimum wage to qualify for the full 26 weeks.

yeah that sounds about right, he was only working part time for most of the year

Interesting, I've never heard of that service. Did they charge you a lot to make the call?

It was worth it for me since I needed to resolve some issues with my claim status. Way better than spending hours on hold or getting hung up on.

That actually sounds helpful. The Washington ESD phone lines are impossible to get through on.

The duration formula is: total base period wages divided by your weekly benefit amount, up to a maximum of 26 weeks. If your wages were lower in some quarters, you'll get fewer weeks.

Wish they would just tell you upfront instead of making you guess

It depends on your earnings during the entire base period, not just your most recent job. If you had other work during those four quarters, that counts too.

Oh okay, I did have a part-time job before this one during that time period. Hopefully that helps.

You should definitely apply anyway - Washington ESD will calculate everything for you when you file your initial claim.

I feel you on this. The job search requirement makes it even more stressful - you have to apply to 3 jobs per week and log everything.

Don't even get me started on the job search log. Half the jobs on WorkSourceWA are scams or don't exist anymore.

Good to know! How long did it take for your claim to get approved initially?

About 2 weeks, but I know some people are stuck in adjudication for way longer depending on their situation.

Extended benefits (EB) can sometimes be triggered when unemployment rates are high, but Washington isn't currently in an EB period. The pandemic programs like PEUC ended in 2021.

Figures. So 26 weeks maximum it is then.

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

It's for when you have temporary work but expect to be laid off again. You can keep your claim open without having to reapply. But you have to meet specific criteria.

That's good to know as a backup plan. Hopefully I won't need 26 weeks but it's reassuring to know there are other options.

WorkFirst might also be an option depending on your family situation. Different programs have different requirements though.

I did last year. It was scary but I kept applying and finally found something in week 28. Had to use savings for those two weeks but it worked out.

That gives me some hope. Were you able to get any other assistance during those final weeks?

Look into food banks and local assistance programs before you run out. Better to have resources lined up than wait until the last minute.

How quickly were you able to get through with that service?

Usually within 10 minutes or so. Way better than the hours I spent trying to call ESD directly.

That's actually really helpful to know. So the clock doesn't keep running if you're working?

Exactly. The benefit year continues but you only use up your 26 weeks when you're actually collecting benefits.

Great advice. I'm going to file my claim this week and start applying for jobs right away. Thanks everyone for all the helpful information!

Good luck with your claim! The process can be confusing but this thread has covered most of the important stuff.