How many weeks unemployment benefits in Washington ESD - confused about duration

Thanks! I found the letter but it just shows dollar amounts. Where exactly does it say the number of weeks?

Divide your maximum benefit amount by your weekly benefit amount - that gives you the number of weeks available.

How many job searches do I need to do each week? The job search requirements seem really strict.

its 3 job search activities per week minimum, has to be documented in your weekly claim

How does that work exactly? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for two weeks about my claim status.

They basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent is available. Saved me hours of redialing.

Sounds too good to be true but I'm desperate at this point. Regular Washington ESD phone line is impossible.

What's standby status? I was permanently laid off, not temporarily.

Standby is when your employer expects to call you back within a specific timeframe. Since you were permanently laid off, regular UI rules apply to your situation.

same here, took forever to get basic info about my claim

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr - the regular contact methods are completely overwhelmed.

That makes sense. My wages were pretty decent at the warehouse job, so I should get the full 26 weeks hopefully.

Don't forget you also have to be actively looking for work and available for work each week to keep getting benefits.

Yes, all the pandemic extensions (PEUC, PUA, etc.) ended in 2021. We're back to standard 26 weeks maximum for regular unemployment insurance.

Ugh, that's what I was afraid of. 26 weeks goes by fast when you're job hunting.

Good advice. I've already started applying places but the warehouse jobs in my area are pretty limited.

Consider expanding your search to related fields like logistics, shipping, or even retail management. Your warehouse experience transfers to more jobs than you might think.

When is the deadline for filing weekly claims? I filed my first one on Sunday.

you can file starting sunday for the previous week, deadline is the following saturday i think

Have you looked into WorkSourceWA services? They have job placement help and sometimes training programs.

I registered with WorkSourceWA but haven't used their services much. Maybe I should schedule an appointment with a counselor.

Part-time work reduces your weekly benefit amount but doesn't change your total weeks of eligibility. You can still collect partial benefits while working part-time, as long as you report all earnings.

That's helpful, thanks. I have a chance at a part-time gig but didn't want to lose weeks of benefits.

How much does it cost? I'm already struggling financially.

It's worth checking their website for current info. For me, getting actual answers about my claim was worth it after weeks of frustration with the regular phone system.

How do you know if extended benefits are available? Is that automatic or do you have to apply separately?

Extended benefits are triggered automatically when state unemployment rates reach certain thresholds. Washington ESD will notify eligible claimants if extended benefits become available.

14 weeks is still plenty of time if you're actively searching. Stay focused and don't panic - panic leads to bad job decisions.

yeah youre right, just gets stressful when you see the weeks counting down

Thanks for this! I found mine and it shows I have 24 weeks available instead of 26. Guess it depends on your work history like others said.

Exactly - not everyone gets the full 26 weeks. It's based on your base period wages and employment history.

So if I find a job after 10 weeks, I lose the remaining 16 weeks? They don't save for later?

Correct - unused benefits don't carry over. But finding work after 10 weeks means you can build up eligibility for future claims if needed.

This thread has been really helpful understanding the 26 week limit. I feel much more informed about my benefits now.

Glad it helped! The Washington ESD system can be confusing but 26 weeks is the standard everyone should plan around.

I'm definitely going to check out their website. Been trying to reach ESD for three weeks about my claim details.

The video demo on their site shows exactly how the process works. Much easier than explaining it here.