Washington ESD unemployment - how long does unemployment last in 2025?

Thanks! So even though I worked 6 years, I still only get 26 weeks maximum? I thought longer work history meant longer benefits.

Correct - work history affects your weekly benefit amount, not the duration. The 26 weeks is standard regardless of how long you worked, as long as you meet the minimum earnings requirement.

How strict are they about the job search thing? Do they actually check?

They can audit your job search log anytime. I had a friend who got disqualified for not having proper documentation of her job searches.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to Washington ESD agents without all the waiting and getting hung up on. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration.

Interesting, I'll check that out. I need to ask about whether my part-time work will extend my benefits beyond 26 weeks.

Part-time work doesn't extend the 26-week period, but it can stretch out how long your benefits last if you're earning less than your weekly benefit amount.

So there's no way to get more than 26 weeks right now?

Not unless Washington's unemployment rate triggers the Extended Benefits program, which requires specific economic conditions that we're not currently meeting.

It's definitely 26 weeks in Washington state. Different states have different durations - some are as low as 12 weeks.

I feel you on the weekly claims stress. I set a Sunday reminder on my phone because missing one can mess up your whole benefit year.

Yeah I do Sunday mornings too. Still gives me anxiety every week though.

Can you explain that more? I might have to take a part-time job if I can't find full-time work.

Sure! If your weekly benefit is $400 and you earn $200 from part-time work, you'd get $200 in benefits that week. The other $200 you didn't use gets added back to your remaining balance, so your 26 weeks of benefits could stretch to 40+ calendar weeks.

Have you looked into retraining programs? WorkSourceWA has some funding for education if you're in a declining industry. Might give you more options.

I looked into it but the programs are pretty limited and most require you to already have some benefits left. Wish I had started earlier.

Assuming you can actually log in. I've been locked out of my account for two weeks because of some password issue.

Same thing happened to me! I used Claimyr to get through to tech support and they fixed it in like 10 minutes. Way better than trying to call yourself.

Wait, so if I find a job after 10 weeks of unemployment, then get laid off again, I only have 16 weeks left?

Exactly. That's why some people try to stretch their benefits if they're not sure about job stability.

This is so true. I had a 3-week adjudication period and even though I eventually got approved, those 3 weeks still counted against my 26-week total.

That doesn't sound right. Adjudication periods shouldn't count against your benefit weeks. You might want to call Washington ESD about that.

I tried calling but you know how that goes. Maybe I should try that Claimyr thing people mentioned to actually get through to someone.

So I won't get paid for my first week at all?

Right, the first week is unpaid - it's called the waiting week. You still need to file the weekly claim for that week though.

Three times? That's rough. How do you handle the stress of knowing there's a hard cutoff at 26 weeks?

You just have to treat job searching like a full-time job. Apply everywhere, network constantly, and have backup plans. The 26-week deadline keeps you motivated.

Vacation pay usually creates a disqualification period where you can't collect benefits. Those weeks don't count against your 26-week total though - they just delay when your benefits start.

Thanks! So I'll still get the full 26 weeks, just starting later?

Correct. The vacation pay disqualification doesn't reduce your total available benefits.