Washington ESD unemployment benefits - how long can you collect unemployment in 2025?
I just got laid off from my construction job last month and filed for unemployment benefits. This is my first time dealing with Washington ESD and I'm trying to plan my finances. Does anyone know how long you can collect unemployment benefits in Washington state? I've heard different things from coworkers - some say 26 weeks, others say it depends on your work history. I made decent money the past two years so I'm hoping that helps. Also wondering if there are any extensions available like there used to be during COVID? Really need to understand what I'm working with here.
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Yuki Kobayashi
In Washington state, regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits are typically available for up to 26 weeks in a benefit year. This is based on your base period wages and work history. The amount you receive weekly depends on your earnings during your base period, but the duration is generally the same for most people - 26 weeks maximum.
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AstroAce
•Thanks! So 26 weeks is standard regardless of how much I made? That's about 6 months which should give me time to find something.
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Yuki Kobayashi
•Exactly, 26 weeks is the standard duration. Just make sure you keep filing your weekly claims and meeting the job search requirements to continue receiving benefits.
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Carmen Vega
Be careful though - those 26 weeks can go by faster than you think, especially if you're being picky about jobs. I used up all mine last year and had to take a job that paid way less than what I was making before. The job search requirements are no joke either.
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AstroAce
•What are the job search requirements exactly? I've been applying to a few places but haven't been keeping detailed records.
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Carmen Vega
•You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep detailed records. Washington ESD can audit your job search log at any time, so don't mess around with it.
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Andre Rousseau
Just went through this whole process myself. The 26 weeks is correct for regular UI benefits. There are NO pandemic extensions anymore - those ended in 2021. If you exhaust your regular benefits, you might qualify for Extended Benefits (EB) but only if the state unemployment rate is high enough, which it isn't right now. If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your specific situation, I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me connected to an agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.
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Zoe Stavros
•Never heard of Claimyr before. Is it legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my claim status.
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Andre Rousseau
•Yeah it's legitimate. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked. They basically call Washington ESD for you and get you connected to a real person instead of being stuck in phone tree hell.
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AstroAce
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already strapped for cash.
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Jamal Harris
Wait, I thought there were still extensions available? My brother collected unemployment for like 40 weeks during COVID. Are you sure there's nothing like that anymore?
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Yuki Kobayashi
•Those were special pandemic programs like PUA and PEUC that ended in September 2021. Regular UI is back to the standard 26 weeks max.
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GalaxyGlider
•Your brother probably got the extended benefits during COVID when unemployment was super high. That's not available anymore unless state unemployment hits certain thresholds.
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Mei Wong
26 weeks is a joke honestly. Try finding a decent construction job in 6 months when the market is tight. I burned through mine and ended up having to take a retail job just to pay rent. The system is broken if you ask me.
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AstroAce
•That's what I'm worried about. Construction work can be seasonal and hard to find, especially good paying jobs.
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Andre Rousseau
•That's exactly why I recommend having a way to actually talk to Washington ESD agents when you need to. Sometimes there are programs or options they don't advertise well.
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Liam Sullivan
Just to clarify - the 26 weeks is for a benefit year, not calendar year. Your benefit year starts when you first file your claim. So if you file in January, your benefit year runs through December of that year.
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AstroAce
•Good to know. So I filed in late November 2024, does that mean my benefit year goes through November 2025?
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Liam Sullivan
•Exactly. You have 26 weeks of benefits available within that benefit year period.
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Amara Okafor
Don't forget you can also work part-time while collecting unemployment! You can earn up to a certain amount per week without it affecting your benefits. It's called partial unemployment.
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AstroAce
•Really? How much can you earn without losing benefits?
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Yuki Kobayashi
•It depends on your weekly benefit amount, but generally you can earn up to your weekly benefit amount minus $5 without any reduction. Above that, benefits are reduced dollar for dollar.
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Giovanni Colombo
Make sure you understand the difference between regular UI and standby status too. If you're in a union or have a definite return date, you might be on standby which has different rules.
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AstroAce
•I'm not union and got permanently laid off, so I think I'm just regular UI.
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Giovanni Colombo
•Yeah sounds like regular UI then. Standby is for temporary layoffs with expected return dates.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
WHATEVER YOU DO, don't miss filing your weekly claims! I missed one week because I was sick and it was a nightmare trying to get it straightened out. Washington ESD's phone system is absolutely useless.
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AstroAce
•What happens if you miss a week? Can you backdate it?
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•You can request to backdate but it's not guaranteed and requires talking to an agent. Good luck getting through on the phone though.
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Andre Rousseau
•This is another reason why having a service like Claimyr can be helpful. When you need to actually reach someone at Washington ESD for issues like backdating claims, it's way easier than trying to call yourself.
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StarStrider
Are there any circumstances where you can get more than 26 weeks? Like if you're older or have been working for a really long time?
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Liam Sullivan
•No, 26 weeks is the maximum for regular UI regardless of age or work history. The only exception would be if Extended Benefits (EB) are triggered, but that requires high state unemployment rates.
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Yuki Kobayashi
•Correct. Your work history affects your weekly benefit amount, not the duration of benefits.
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Dylan Campbell
I collected for the full 26 weeks last year and it was barely enough time to find a good job. The market is competitive and employers are being really picky. Don't count on finding something quickly.
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AstroAce
•That's discouraging but probably realistic. I'm hoping my construction experience will help but who knows.
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Dylan Campbell
•Just start applying everywhere right away. Don't wait thinking you have plenty of time. 26 weeks goes by fast.
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Sofia Torres
Quick question - if you exhaust your 26 weeks and then work for a while, can you file a new claim later if you get laid off again?
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Yuki Kobayashi
•Yes, but you need to have earned enough wages in your new base period to qualify for a new claim. It's not automatic.
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Sofia Torres
•Good to know. So you can't just keep cycling through claims without working enough in between.
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Dmitry Sokolov
The job search requirements are the worst part honestly. Three contacts per week doesn't sound like much but documenting everything and making sure they're 'qualifying' contacts is annoying.
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AstroAce
•What counts as a qualifying contact? Just applying online?
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Dmitry Sokolov
•Online applications, talking to employers in person, networking events, job fairs. But they have to be legitimate job opportunities that match your skills.
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Ava Martinez
Make sure you're registered with WorkSourceWA too. That's required for collecting benefits and they have job search resources.
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AstroAce
•I registered when I first filed my claim. Haven't used it much though.
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Ava Martinez
•You should check it regularly. Sometimes they have workshops or resources that can count toward your job search requirements.
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Miguel Ramos
Bottom line - 26 weeks is what you get. No extensions, no special programs like during COVID. Plan accordingly and start your job search immediately.
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AstroAce
•Got it. 26 weeks and that's it. Time to get serious about finding work.
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Miguel Ramos
•Exactly. And if you run into any issues with Washington ESD, don't waste time trying to call. There are better ways to get help.
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QuantumQuasar
I'm at week 22 of my 26 weeks and getting nervous. The holidays really slowed down hiring in my field. Wish I had known how fast it would go.
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AstroAce
•What field are you in? Construction hiring usually picks up in spring.
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QuantumQuasar
•I'm in office work. Yeah, hoping things pick up after New Year but running out of time on benefits.
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Andre Rousseau
•If you need to talk to Washington ESD about your situation or explore any options, definitely don't wait. The sooner you can get through to them the better.
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