What is the maximum time you can collect unemployment in Washington?

In Washington state, regular unemployment insurance (UI) provides up to 26 weeks of benefits within your benefit year. However, the actual number of weeks you can collect depends on your work history and earnings during your base period. Some people qualify for fewer than 26 weeks based on their employment record.

Just to add - there used to be federal extensions during the pandemic but those ended in 2021. Now it's back to the standard 26 weeks maximum for regular UI. Extended benefits (EB) can sometimes kick in during high unemployment periods but that's rare.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check your exact benefit duration, I used a service called Claimyr that helped me reach an agent quickly. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Really helped when I needed to verify my remaining weeks.

Wait, I thought it was 28 weeks? Or is that a different state? I'm so confused about all these different time limits.

You can check your exact remaining weeks by logging into your Washington ESD account. It should show your total weeks available and how many you've used so far. The 26 week clock starts when you first file your claim, not when you start collecting.

This is stressing me out too. I'm at week 22 and still haven't found anything. What happens if you hit 26 weeks and still don't have a job? Do you just get cut off completely?

The 26 weeks is within your benefit year, which is the 52 weeks from when you first filed. If you work and earn enough wages during your benefit year, you might be able to file a new claim after your benefit year ends.

I've been collecting for 18 weeks and just realized I need to start planning for when my benefits end. Has anyone here successfully transitioned off unemployment before hitting the 26 week limit?

Don't forget you have to keep doing your job search activities even as you get close to the end. Washington ESD still requires the same weekly claim filing and job search log until your benefits actually end.

Is there any way to appeal or request an extension if you're close to 26 weeks but have a job offer that doesn't start for another few weeks?

I used Claimyr when I needed to get clarification about my benefit duration. The agent was able to tell me exactly how many weeks I had left and when my benefit year would end. Much easier than trying to figure it out from the website.

Just want to confirm - the 26 weeks includes any weeks you might have been disqualified or had issues with your claim, right? Like if you had adjudication delays, that time still counts?

This whole system is so stressful. 26 weeks sounds like a lot when you start but it goes by fast when you're job hunting. I wish there was more flexibility for people who are really trying to find work.

For those getting close to their limit, make sure you're also looking into SNAP benefits, housing assistance, and other programs that might help bridge the gap. Don't wait until the last minute to apply for other assistance.

I hit my 26 week limit last month and it was rough. The benefits just stop - no warning, no grace period. Make sure you have a plan for when your benefits end because it happens fast.

The maximum of 26 weeks is definitely firm in Washington. I had to help my brother navigate this when he was getting close to his limit. The key is knowing exactly where you stand so you can plan accordingly.

Quick tip - when you're getting close to your 26 week limit, Claimyr can help you get through to Washington ESD quickly to verify your exact remaining weeks and discuss your options. Better to know for sure than guess.

I'm at week 24 and getting really anxious about hitting the 26 week limit. Reading all these responses has been super helpful - it's good to know I'm not alone in this stress. I've been keeping detailed records of my job search activities and applications, but the pressure is definitely mounting. For anyone else in a similar situation, I found that setting up job alerts on multiple platforms and networking through LinkedIn has helped me get more interviews lately. The 26 week deadline is definitely motivating me to cast a wider net and consider positions I might not have looked at earlier in my job search.