Washington ESD unemployment benefits - how long can you get unemployment payments?

Regular unemployment benefits in Washington last up to 26 weeks (6 months). The exact amount depends on your earnings during your base period, which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim.

The 26 weeks is for regular UI benefits. During the pandemic there were extended benefits programs, but those ended. Now it's back to the standard 26 weeks unless there's high unemployment in your area which could trigger extended benefits.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD to ask about my benefit duration but their phone lines are impossible. Been calling for weeks and either get busy signals or hung up on after waiting forever.

Just wanted to add that your weekly benefit amount affects how long your benefits last too. If you get the maximum weekly amount, you might exhaust your benefits before 26 weeks. If you get a smaller amount, your benefits could last the full 26 weeks.

been on unemployment for 3 months now and still have benefits left. the 26 weeks is accurate but you have to keep filing your weekly claims and doing job searches or they'll cut you off

The whole system is a mess. I've been getting the runaround for months trying to get straight answers about my claim duration. First they said 26 weeks, then someone told me it might be less because of my work history. MAKE UP YOUR MINDS!

Don't forget that if you work part-time while collecting benefits, it can extend how long your benefits last. They'll reduce your weekly payment but your total benefit amount stays the same.

I exhausted my benefits after 23 weeks because I had a high weekly amount. Really wish someone had explained that to me upfront so I could have planned better.

The 26 weeks starts from when you first file your claim, not when it gets approved. So if there's a delay in processing, you're still losing time.

Pro tip: start looking for work immediately even if you think you have 26 weeks. The job market is competitive and it often takes longer than expected to find something.

If you're in certain industries or have unusual work patterns, your benefit calculation might be different. I work seasonal construction and my benefits were calculated differently than my friend who had a regular office job.

Does anyone know if you can reapply for unemployment if you get a job but then get laid off again within the benefit year?

I used Claimyr when I had questions about my benefit duration and they got me through to someone who could pull up my account and give me exact dates. Worth every penny when you're stressed about money.

Remember that if you're on standby with your employer, that might affect your benefit duration differently. Standby has different rules than regular unemployment.

Bottom line: plan for 26 weeks maximum, but don't count on getting the full amount. Start job hunting immediately and keep detailed records of your search activities. The system isn't perfect but those are the basic rules.

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're approved for benefits, you can actually check your exact benefit duration online through your ESD account. They show you your weekly benefit amount and how many weeks you're eligible for based on your specific earnings history. This way you don't have to guess or get conflicting information from different sources. It's really helpful for planning your budget and job search timeline.