How many weeks of unemployment benefits can I get in Washington State?

Thanks! So it's based on my earnings, not just how long I worked? That makes sense I guess.

Yeah the base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed your claim

I've been working full time for 8 years so hopefully I'll get the full 26 weeks. Do you know if there are any extensions available after that?

Extensions depend on economic conditions and federal programs. Right now there aren't any automatic extensions, but that can change if unemployment rates get high enough.

Thanks! So if I worked full time for 8 years making decent money, I should qualify for the full 26 weeks?

Most likely yes, as long as you earned enough in your base period. Washington ESD requires at least $8,000 in base period wages to qualify for benefits.

Is that legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days and keep getting hung up on.

Yeah it worked for me. I was able to talk to someone about my claim status without waiting on hold for hours.

Good to know about the weekly claims. Do I have to do anything special to file them?

nah just log into your esd account every week and answer the questions. takes like 5 minutes if the system isn't being slow

The benefit year starts from when you file your initial claim, not when it gets approved. But you won't get paid for weeks where your claim is still pending adjudication.

ok so I'm not losing weeks while waiting for approval, thats good at least

What exactly counts as a job contact? Is it just applying online or do I need to do more?

Job applications count, but you can also include networking contacts, job interviews, attending job fairs, or contacting employers directly. Keep detailed records in your job search log.

The job search requirements are such a pain. I spend more time documenting my job search than actually looking for work sometimes.

That's correct - unemployment benefits vary by state. Washington ESD is actually pretty generous compared to some other states that only offer 12-20 weeks.

Good to know I'm in the right state then lol

How does that work exactly? Do they just call for you or something?

They basically navigate the phone system for you and get you connected to the right department. Way better than spending hours on hold trying to get through yourself.

That sounds helpful. I'll probably need to call them at some point during my claim.

You have a full benefit year (52 weeks) to use your 26 weeks of benefits. So if you find work and then lose it again within that year, you can continue collecting the remaining weeks.

That's really helpful to know, thanks! Hopefully I won't need all 26 weeks but it's good to understand how it works.

Make sure you're documenting all your job search activities for Washington ESD. You need to be actively looking for work and keeping records of your applications.

Yeah I've been keeping my job search log updated. Just hoping something comes through soon.

Have you looked into any job training programs? Sometimes those can help extend your benefits or at least give you new skills.

Really? I didn't know you could work part-time. That's good to know in case I find something temporary.

Yeah, just make sure you report ALL earnings on your weekly claim, even if it's just $20. Not reporting income is considered fraud and can disqualify you from benefits.

If you work long enough to establish a new base period with sufficient wages, you could file a new claim and potentially get another 26 weeks. But there are specific requirements about how much you need to earn.

Good to know there's a possibility of starting fresh if I can get back to work for a while.

Those pandemic programs like PEUC and PUA ended in 2021. We're back to the standard 26 weeks of regular UI benefits now.

Oh okay, thanks for clarifying. It's hard to keep track of all the changes.

Same here! I'm on week 18 and the job hunt has been brutal. Really hoping something comes through soon.

Use the remaining weeks wisely - intensify your job search, consider expanding your search radius or looking at different types of positions that match your skills.

Adjudication delays are frustrating but they're usually related to issues that need to be resolved before benefits can be paid. Have you tried calling to check on the status?

TRIED CALLING?? I've called 200+ times and either get disconnected or told to wait. This is insane.

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. When you're dealing with adjudication issues, you really need to talk to someone who can explain what's holding up your claim.

What kind of retraining programs? Is there a list somewhere?

Check with your local WorkSource office. They have programs for everything from healthcare to tech to trades. Some even provide additional financial support while you're in training.

I know what you mean. 6 months sounds like a lot but when you're actually looking for work it feels like it flies by.

Exactly! Especially if you're in a specialized field where there aren't tons of openings.

Good advice! I just filed so I'm starting my job search right away. Better to find something sooner than later.

Smart approach. The pressure gets real when you're down to your last few weeks of benefits.

I'll have to check that out. Is it on the main Washington ESD website?

Yes, it's in the claimant section. Though sometimes their website is slow or down, which is frustrating when you need info.

Wait, so if I forget to file a weekly claim I lose that week forever?

You can file late weekly claims but there are time limits. Don't make a habit of it though - it's better to file on time every week.

How was your experience with Claimyr? I keep seeing it mentioned but wasn't sure if it was worth trying.

It worked well for me. I was able to get through to a real person instead of being stuck in phone queue hell. They have a demo video that shows how it works if you want to check it out first.

I found a job in week 18 of my claim. The key is to start networking early and not just rely on online applications. Most jobs I got interviews for came through connections.

That's good advice. I've been mostly applying online but I should probably get out there and network more.

Also remember that even if you find work, you might still be eligible for partial unemployment if the new job doesn't pay as much as your previous one.

The 26 weeks start from when you file your claim, not when you became unemployed. You can't get benefits for weeks before you filed unless there were exceptional circumstances.

Darn, so I basically lost those 2 weeks. Wish I had known to file right away.

You'd need to establish a new benefit year by earning enough wages in your new base period. Generally you need to work and earn wages for a substantial period before you can file a new claim.

Makes sense. So it's not just automatic if you get laid off again.

Extensions typically only happen during periods of high unemployment or economic crisis. Right now Washington's unemployment rate doesn't meet the triggers for extended benefits.

That's what I figured. Just hoping I can find something before my 26 weeks are up.

It uses the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed. So if you filed in January 2025, it would use Q1 2024 through Q4 2024, not including Q1 2025 since it's not complete.

Okay that makes more sense. So recent earnings might not count toward the calculation.

That's encouraging to hear! I'm hoping I won't need all 26 weeks but it's good to know they're there.

Yeah, treat it as a safety net while you find the right opportunity, not just any job.

Benefits can be suspended for various reasons - not meeting job search requirements, not reporting earnings, missing weekly claims, or eligibility issues. As long as you follow the rules and report everything accurately, you should be fine.

Okay, I'll make sure to be extra careful with my weekly claims. Better safe than sorry.

I've been thinking about trying that service. Is it expensive?

I'd rather not get into pricing details here, but I will say it was worth it for me to get clear answers about my claim instead of spending days trying to call on my own.

Good to know there are options if I run into issues. Hopefully I won't need to call but it's nice to have a backup plan.

That's a good point. So working part time could help make the benefits last longer in terms of calendar time.

Exactly. Just make sure you report all your earnings on your weekly claims or you could end up with an overpayment issue later.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! This thread has been really informative.

Yeah this is good info to have. Hope everyone finds work before they need all 26 weeks!

Thanks for mentioning that. I'm getting worried about what happens after my benefits run out so it's good to know there are other options.

WorkSource locations can help connect you with additional resources and training opportunities. Don't wait until the last minute to explore your options.

This confused me at first too. I thought I had a whole year to collect benefits but it's really only 26 weeks worth of payments.

Right, and if you don't use all 26 weeks within your benefit year, you can't carry them over to a new claim.