How many weeks of unemployment can you collect with Washington ESD?

That makes sense. Do you know where I can see exactly how many weeks I qualify for? Is it shown somewhere in my Washington ESD account?

Yes, once your claim is processed you should see your maximum benefit amount and duration in your online account. It's usually listed right on the main page after you log in.

I was making about $55k annually, does that help estimate how many weeks I might get?

That should probably get you close to the full 26 weeks but you'd need to check your actual base period earnings to be sure.

Never heard of that service before. Does it actually work? I've been trying to call ESD for weeks about my claim status.

Yeah it worked for me. You basically tell them what you need to discuss and they handle getting you connected to the right person at ESD. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Interesting, might have to try that. The ESD phone system is absolutely brutal.

Good point about the extensions being gone. What are the job search requirements in Washington? Do I need to apply to a certain number of jobs each week?

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log. They can audit this so make sure you're documenting everything properly.

Unfortunately once your benefits are exhausted, you're on your own unless you qualify for other programs like SNAP or temporary assistance. That's why the job search requirement exists - they want you actively looking the whole time.

that's pretty harsh. guess I better start applying everywhere then

That's what I'm worried about. I had a period where I was only working part-time before my full-time job. Hope that doesn't hurt my eligibility.

Part-time work can actually help fill gaps in your base period, but it might lower your weekly benefit amount. The system looks at your total wages over the base period to determine both weekly amount and duration.

Have you been using WorkSourceWA for job search resources? They have career counseling and training programs that might help. Also make sure you're networking, not just applying online.

Yeah I've been to a few WorkSource workshops. They're helpful but I'm in a pretty specialized field so the networking opportunities are limited.

Don't give up! I found my current job in week 24. Sometimes it takes the full duration but something will come through.

Oh wow, I didn't realize timing mattered. I filed pretty quickly after getting laid off. Should I have waited?

No, you should file as soon as you're unemployed. I just meant that your base period wages determine everything, so people who file at different times of year might have different base periods.

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

I can't remember the exact cost but it was reasonable considering how much time and frustration it saved me. Check their website for current pricing.

I mean, the information is available in your online account once the claim is processed. It's not like they're hiding it from you.

ONLY IF YOU CAN ACTUALLY ACCESS YOUR ACCOUNT! I was locked out for 3 weeks waiting for them to reset my password.

Good question! If you return to work and then become unemployed again within your benefit year, you can usually collect the remaining weeks as long as you meet the ongoing eligibility requirements. But if you earn enough to establish a new claim, that might be better.

Thanks, that's helpful to know. Hopefully I won't need to test that scenario!

What other programs did you look into? I should probably research backup options just in case.

SNAP benefits, LIHEAP for utilities, food banks, some counties have emergency rental assistance. Also check with 211 for local resources.

Make sure you're keeping detailed logs of your job search activities. ESD can audit those records at any time and if you can't prove you were searching, you might have to pay benefits back.

yeah I'm keeping track in a spreadsheet. better safe than sorry

It's based on your specific wage history during the base period, so even small differences in when you worked or how much you earned can affect the calculation. It's not arbitrary, just complex.

I guess that makes sense. Still frustrating when you're expecting one thing and get another.

That's the third person mentioning this service. Might have to give it a try since I can never get through to ESD directly.

Definitely worth it if you need specific answers about your claim. Way less stressful than the regular phone system.

That's important to know. So if I use up all my weeks early in the benefit year, I'm basically stuck until the year is up?

Exactly, unless you return to work and earn enough wages to establish a new claim. That's why it's important to pace your job search and not give up early.

TAA is pretty specific though - your employer has to be certified by the Department of Labor as being affected by trade. Not many people actually qualify for it.

True, but if you do qualify it's substantial additional help including retraining funds.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses! I'll check my account once my claim finishes processing and see exactly how many weeks I qualified for.

Good luck with your job search! Hope you find something before you need all those weeks.