How many weeks for unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

Thanks! So I need to log into the Washington ESD website every week? What happens if I forget to file one week?

Yes, you file through the SecureAccess Washington (SAW) portal. If you miss filing a weekly claim, you can usually file it late but there might be a delay in payment. Don't make it a habit though.

3 job search activities every week? That seems like a lot. What counts as a job search activity?

Applying for jobs, contacting employers directly, networking events, job fairs, even some training activities count. Check the WorkSourceWA website - they have a detailed list of what qualifies.

The job search requirement is no joke. I got a warning letter because my activities weren't detailed enough in my log. Be specific about dates, company names, and what you did.

How much does that cost though? I'm already tight on money being unemployed.

It's worth checking out their site for the details. For me it was worth it because I was spending entire days trying to get through and getting nowhere.

Never heard of this but the Washington ESD phone system is absolutely terrible. Might be worth looking into.

Good to know I should get a decent amount. Do you know if overtime hours count toward the calculation?

yeah overtime counts its all based on your total gross wages in the base period

What if I do some side construction work for cash? Do I still need to report that?

Yes, you're required to report ALL work and earnings, even cash jobs. Not reporting income is considered fraud and can result in overpayment demands and penalties.

This is super important. I know someone who got hit with a $4,000 overpayment notice because they didn't report some cash work. Washington ESD doesn't mess around with unreported income.

I was laid off last Friday and I'm planning to file this week. Should I file right away or wait until I've had a full week of unemployment?

File as soon as possible. There's usually a one-week waiting period anyway, so the sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits.

My boss said the layoff is permanent due to losing a big contract. So I think I qualify for regular unemployment benefits.

Sounds like regular UI then. Just make sure you have documentation of the layoff in case Washington ESD asks for it during the application process.

That's interesting. Where do I find information about training programs?

Check with WorkSourceWA - they coordinate a lot of the training programs. Some can even waive the job search requirements while you're in training.

I feel your pain. Spent 3 hours on hold yesterday just to ask one simple question about my weekly claim.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr - I was getting nowhere with the regular phone system. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person who can look at your account.

That's good to know. Hopefully I won't need to use all 26 weeks but it's reassuring to know they're there.

Exactly. The construction industry can be unpredictable so it's good to understand all your options.

Good advice. What kind of paperwork should I keep besides the job search log?

layoff notice, pay stubs, tax forms, any correspondence from washington esd, documentation of any work you do while claiming benefits

What would cause a claim to go into adjudication? Should I be worried about anything specific?

Common reasons include questions about why you left your job, eligibility issues, or if there's conflicting information somewhere. Since you were laid off it should be straightforward.

My claim was in adjudication for 5 weeks! Turns out my former employer initially reported that I quit instead of being laid off. Got straightened out eventually but what a hassle.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I feel much more prepared to navigate this process now.

You're welcome! This forum has been super helpful for me too when I was dealing with unemployment stuff.

I'll keep that in mind. Hopefully I won't need it but good to know it's there as a backup option.