How many weeks can you be on unemployment - Washington ESD benefit duration question

So if I serve the waiting week now, I could potentially get 26 weeks of payments? That would take me into summer which might work.

Exactly. The waiting week doesn't count toward your 26 weeks of benefits. Extended benefits are automatically triggered when unemployment rates hit certain thresholds, but that's not guaranteed.

Extended benefits depend on the state unemployment rate compared to previous years. You can check the current status on the Washington ESD website - they post updates about benefit extensions there.

I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks to ask about this but can never get through. The hold times are insane.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I found it on claimyr.com after getting frustrated with the busy signals. They have this system that keeps calling Washington ESD for you and connects you when an agent picks up. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of redialing.

Your coworker might be thinking of a different state or mixing up regular UI with something else. Washington state provides 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits.

Oh man I hope you're right because 20 weeks won't be enough for me to find something decent in my field.

Good point. My determination letter shows $12,350 maximum benefit amount. How do I figure out how many weeks that equals?

Divide your maximum benefit amount by your weekly benefit amount. So if you're getting $450 per week, $12,350 divided by $450 equals about 27 weeks, but they cap it at 26.

This is exactly the kind of question I needed answered too. Math was never my strong suit lol

How many job contacts do you need per week? I've been doing 3 but wondering if that's enough.

It's 3 job search activities per week minimum. Can be applications, interviews, networking events, etc. Keep good records because they do audit these sometimes.

I understand the frustration. Extended benefits are federally mandated programs that trigger based on specific economic indicators. States can't just decide to extend them arbitrarily.

Well the system is broken then because 6 months isn't enough time to find a good job anymore.

Totally agree. I'm in the same boat - tech layoffs everywhere and companies being super picky.

Is that legit? Sounds too good to be true

Totally legit. Check out their demo video - shows exactly how it works. I was skeptical too but it actually got me through to an agent in under an hour instead of days of trying.

Yes, standby weeks count toward your maximum benefit duration just like regular UI weeks. The total is still 26 weeks whether you're on standby or actively seeking work.

That seems unfair since I'm not even looking for other jobs. What if my recall takes longer than 26 weeks?

If you exhaust your benefits while on standby, you'd need to transition to regular job search requirements if you want to continue claiming, assuming you're still unemployed.

Each state administers its own unemployment insurance program with different benefit amounts, durations, and eligibility requirements. It's been that way since the system was created in the 1930s.

Seems like it would be simpler if it was all federal instead of this patchwork system

Your benefit year keeps running even if you work part-time. You might get reduced benefits those weeks depending on your earnings, but the weeks still count toward your 26 week maximum.

Got it, so I should probably hold out for full-time instead of taking something part-time that might not pay much more than unemployment

That's a personal decision, but remember that working part-time can lead to full-time opportunities and keeps your skills sharp during unemployment.

When your benefit year ends, you can file a new claim if you've worked enough since your last claim started. You'll need to meet the work and earnings requirements again for a new benefit year.

I only worked part-time for a few months during my claim. Probably not enough to qualify for a new year.

Check with Washington ESD about your options. Sometimes there are extended benefit programs or other assistance available when regular benefits exhaust.

Don't stress too much about it right now. Focus on your job search and use the time productively. 26 weeks is actually pretty generous compared to some states.

I guess you're right. Just scary to have a countdown timer on your financial support

That literally happened to my neighbor last year. Got a job offer the week after his benefits ended. At least he got the job though!

True, better late than never I guess. Still would be stressful

I keep seeing Claimyr mentioned. Do they actually work with Washington ESD specifically or is it a general service?

They work with Washington ESD and other state unemployment agencies. The system is designed to handle the specific phone systems each state uses.

Good advice. Better to assume 26 weeks and be pleasantly surprised if I get more than the other way around.

Exactly. I treated my unemployment like a 6 month job search project with a firm deadline. Kept me motivated.