How many times does Washington ESD unemployment pay - confused about benefit duration

In Washington state, regular unemployment insurance (UI) pays for up to 26 weeks maximum. However, the actual number of weeks you get depends on your work history and earnings during your base period. Your weekly benefit amount and total benefit amount are calculated based on your highest quarter of earnings in the base period.

just to add - you have to keep filing your weekly claims every week to get paid. if you miss filing a weekly claim you dont get paid for that week even if you have benefits left

I had the same confusion when I first filed. The 26 weeks is the maximum but not everyone gets that full amount. It depends on how much you worked in your base period. If you didn't work consistently or had lower wages, you might get fewer weeks. When I was trying to figure this out, I couldn't get through to Washington ESD on the phone for weeks. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent who explained everything clearly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

The maximum is 26 weeks but that's only if you qualify for the full amount based on your earnings history. Washington ESD looks at your base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed) to determine both your weekly benefit amount and your maximum benefit amount. Some people only qualify for 12-15 weeks if they didn't work enough or earn enough during their base period.

UGH the Washington ESD system is SO confusing! I've been trying to understand this for weeks. They make it sound like everyone gets 26 weeks but that's not true at all. My neighbor got unemployment and only qualified for 18 weeks because she was a contract worker. Meanwhile I'm sitting here with a pending claim that's been in adjudication for 3 weeks with no explanation!

The benefit duration also depends on the unemployment rate in Washington when you file your claim. During high unemployment periods, there might be extended benefits available beyond the standard 26 weeks, but that's rare and only during economic emergencies.

i think some people get confused because they hear about the old pandemic benefits that lasted longer. those are gone now - PUA, PEUC, all that stuff ended years ago. now its back to regular UI which is max 26 weeks

Also keep in mind you have to be actively looking for work and documenting your job search activities. Washington ESD requires at least 3 job search activities per week. If you don't meet the job search requirements, they can deny your weekly claims even if you have benefit weeks remaining.

One thing that trips people up is thinking they automatically get 26 weeks. The formula is: your total benefit amount divided by your weekly benefit amount equals your maximum weeks. So if your total is $6,000 and your weekly is $300, you get 20 weeks, not 26.

Another thing to watch out for - if you work part-time while collecting unemployment, it can affect your weekly payments and potentially extend how long your benefits last. Washington ESD allows you to earn up to a certain amount before they reduce your weekly benefit.

I'm on standby status with my employer and I was told I might be able to collect unemployment longer than 26 weeks if the layoff extends. Is that true?

if you run out of regular unemployment benefits, you might be able to file a new claim if you worked enough after your original claim started. but theres specific rules about earnings requirements for a new claim

Just want to share my experience - I thought I was going to get 26 weeks but only qualified for 16 weeks because I had a gap in my employment history. When I called Washington ESD to ask why, the agent explained that my base period didn't have enough earnings in all quarters. Wish I had understood this before I started budgeting based on 26 weeks!

The bottom line is that Washington unemployment pays for however many weeks you qualify for based on your work history, up to a maximum of 26 weeks. Most people don't get the full 26 weeks. Your monetary determination letter from Washington ESD should show your exact entitlement.