How many weeks of unemployment benefits do you get in Washington state?

In Washington state, you can receive up to 26 weeks of regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits during your benefit year. This is standard across the state and doesn't vary based on your work history - everyone gets the same maximum duration. Your benefit year runs for 52 weeks from when you first file your initial claim.

Thanks! So it's definitely 26 weeks max? I thought I heard someone mention getting more than that.

The 26 weeks is for regular state UI benefits. During economic downturns, there can be federal extension programs, but those aren't available right now.

Yep 26 weeks is correct but you gotta make sure you meet all the job search requirements every week or they'll cut you off early

What are the job search requirements? I haven't started my claim yet.

you need to apply to 3 jobs per week and keep a log of all your job search activities. Washington ESD can audit this anytime

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to ask about my benefit duration and other questions, but their phone lines are impossible. Anyone have luck actually reaching them? I've called hundreds of times and either get disconnected or sit on hold for hours.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents automatically. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

Really? That sounds too good to be true. How does it actually work?

It basically calls Washington ESD for you repeatedly until it gets through, then connects you to an actual agent. Way better than spending all day redialing.

The 26 weeks thing is misleading because most people don't actually get the full 26 weeks! If you quit your job or get fired for misconduct, you might not be eligible at all. And if Washington ESD decides you're not actively looking for work, they can disqualify you.

I was laid off due to company downsizing, so I should be good on that front. But the job search thing worries me.

As long as you document your job search activities properly and file your weekly claims on time, you should be fine. Just don't slack off on the requirements.

This is why I keep detailed spreadsheets of every job I apply to. Washington ESD audited me once and I had everything ready.

Does anyone know if the 26 weeks resets if you get a job and then lose it again? Like if I work for a few months and then get laid off again?

You'd need to file a new claim, and Washington ESD would look at your recent work history to determine if you qualify for a new benefit year. The 26 weeks would start over if you meet the requirements.

Good to know. The whole system is so confusing.

I'm on week 24 of my benefits and getting anxious about what happens when I hit week 26. There's no automatic extension right now, so I really need to find something soon. The job market is tough out there.

Have you been using WorkSourceWA? They sometimes have job training programs that can help while you're looking.

Yeah I'm registered with them. The training programs have waiting lists though.

Hang in there. I found my current job on week 25 of benefits. Keep applying everywhere.

For anyone having trouble reaching Washington ESD about benefit duration questions, I recently used a service called Claimyr that automatically calls them for you. Super helpful for getting through to an actual person without spending hours on hold.

Is that legit? Sounds like it could be a scam.

Totally legit. You can check out their demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ to see how it works. They just help you get connected to Washington ESD, that's it.

The 26 week limit used to be longer during the pandemic but those federal extensions ended. Now we're back to the standard state maximum. Some other states have different limits but Washington is 26 weeks.

What were the limits during the pandemic? Just curious.

There were federal programs that extended benefits up to 79 weeks total in some cases, but those ended in 2021.

make sure you understand that its 26 weeks MAXIMUM. if you have any issues with your claim like adjudication or disqualification appeals, that time still counts against your 26 weeks even if you're not getting paid

Wait, so if Washington ESD takes forever to process my claim, I lose weeks of eligibility?

exactly. the benefit year clock keeps ticking whether you're getting paid or not. its really unfair

I wish Washington had longer benefit periods like some other states. 26 weeks isn't enough in this job market, especially for older workers or people in specialized fields.

Agree completely. I'm 55 and it's taken me 8 months to find work. Those 26 weeks ran out fast.

The system assumes everyone can find work in 6 months but that's not reality anymore.

Pro tip: start looking for work immediately even before your first payment comes through. Don't wait until week 20 to get serious about job hunting because time flies.

Good advice. I'm already putting together my resume and starting to look at job postings.

Smart move. Also sign up for job alerts on multiple sites so opportunities come to you too.

Does standby status count against your 26 weeks? I might be called back to work but not sure when.

Yes, standby weeks count toward your 26-week maximum. You're still receiving benefits even though you're not required to look for work.

That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying.

I had such a hard time getting information about my benefit weeks from Washington ESD until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an agent. Saved me literally days of trying to get through on my own.

How much does something like that cost?

The main thing is it actually works. Check out claimyr.com if you're interested. They have all the details there.

Remember that even after your 26 weeks are up, you might still be able to file a new claim if you worked enough hours during your benefit year. Washington ESD looks at your entire base period to determine eligibility.

What's a base period?

It's the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. Washington ESD uses this to calculate your benefits.

Bottom line: 26 weeks maximum for regular Washington state unemployment. No extensions currently available. Use your time wisely and don't assume you'll find work at the last minute.

This thread has been super helpful. Thanks everyone for the detailed explanations!

Good luck with your job search. The 26 weeks will go by faster than you think.

Just wanted to add that it's really important to keep track of your weekly certifications too. I missed filing one week because I was sick and even though I called Washington ESD to explain, they still counted it against my 26 weeks. Make sure you set reminders to file every week on time - usually Sunday through the following Saturday. Missing even one week can mess up your benefit timeline.