What's the oldest age you can collect unemployment benefits in Washington?
I'm 68 and just got laid off from my job at a manufacturing plant after 12 years. My supervisor said something about me being 'too old' for unemployment but that doesn't sound right. I've been paying into the system my whole working life. Is there actually an age limit for collecting unemployment benefits in Washington? I'm not ready to retire yet and need to keep working, but I'm worried Washington ESD might deny my claim because of my age.
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Santiago Diaz
There's no age limit for unemployment benefits in Washington! I'm 71 and collected UI for 6 months last year when my company downsized. As long as you're able and available for work and meet the other requirements, age doesn't matter. Your supervisor was completely wrong.
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Riya Sharma
•That's such a relief to hear! I was really worried they'd automatically reject me. Did you have any issues with the job search requirements at your age?
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Santiago Diaz
•The job search requirements are the same regardless of age. I had to apply for 3 jobs per week and log them in WorkSourceWA just like everyone else.
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Millie Long
Your supervisor was giving you bad information. Washington ESD doesn't have an upper age limit for unemployment benefits. The only requirement is that you're able and available for work. If you can work and are actively seeking employment, you're eligible regardless of whether you're 25 or 85.
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KaiEsmeralda
•this is good to know! my mom is 64 and worried about what happens if she loses her job before she's ready to retire
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Millie Long
•Tell your mom not to worry about age discrimination from Washington ESD. The unemployment system is based on work history and current availability, not age.
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Debra Bai
I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for two weeks about my claim and I'm getting nowhere with their phone system. The wait times are insane and I keep getting disconnected. Has anyone found a better way to reach them? I need to ask about my job search requirements since I'm in my 60s and some positions require physical abilities I don't have anymore.
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Gabriel Freeman
•I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents without the endless waiting. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works. Saved me hours of frustration.
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Millie Long
•For job search requirements, you can apply for positions that match your abilities. Washington ESD understands that not everyone can do every type of work. Document your search efforts properly and you'll be fine.
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Laura Lopez
Age discrimination is illegal in hiring but unfortunately it still happens. Just because you're eligible for unemployment doesn't mean finding a new job will be easy at 68. Have you considered whether this might be a good time to think about retirement?
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Riya Sharma
•I'm not financially ready to retire yet. I need to work at least another 3-4 years to have enough saved. That's why I need the unemployment benefits to bridge the gap while I find something new.
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Victoria Brown
•Don't let anyone pressure you into retiring if you're not ready! You have every right to work and collect unemployment benefits when you need them, regardless of your age.
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KaiEsmeralda
my dad collected unemployment at 72 when his company shut down. took him 8 months to find a new job but he never had problems with his claim. washington esd was actually pretty helpful once he got through to them
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Riya Sharma
•That's encouraging! Did he have to do anything special because of his age or was it just the standard process?
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KaiEsmeralda
•nope just the regular process. weekly claims, job search log, all the same stuff. they never even asked about his age
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Santiago Diaz
The federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act protects workers over 40, and that extends to unemployment benefits too. Washington ESD can't discriminate based on age. File your claim as soon as possible - there's no reason to wait.
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Samuel Robinson
•THIS!!! Age discrimination in unemployment would be a huge federal violation. Washington ESD would never risk that kind of lawsuit.
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Riya Sharma
•Good point about filing soon. I've been hesitating because of what my supervisor said, but I should have filed immediately after getting laid off.
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Gabriel Freeman
I helped my neighbor who's 74 get set up with his unemployment claim last year. The Washington ESD website doesn't ask for your age during the application process. It's all about your work history, wages, and reason for separation from your job.
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Riya Sharma
•That makes me feel a lot better. I was imagining they'd see my age and automatically reject me, but if it's not even part of the application process then I'm worrying for nothing.
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Gabriel Freeman
•Exactly! Focus on getting your claim filed correctly and providing accurate information about your work history. Age isn't a factor in eligibility.
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Camila Castillo
There are actually older workers who collect unemployment benefits regularly. It's not uncommon at all. Some people work well into their 70s and 80s by choice, and they're entitled to the same protections as younger workers when they lose their jobs.
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Laura Lopez
•True, but let's be realistic about the job market for older workers. It's going to be much harder to find employment at 68 than at 28.
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Camila Castillo
•That may be true, but it doesn't change the fact that he's legally entitled to unemployment benefits while he searches. The difficulty of finding work actually makes the benefits more important, not less.
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Debra Bai
Update: I tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned and it actually worked! Got through to a Washington ESD agent in under an hour instead of the usual all-day wait. They confirmed there's no age limit and helped me understand exactly what I need to do for my job search log.
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Gabriel Freeman
•Glad it worked for you! It's such a relief when you can actually talk to a real person instead of being stuck in phone tree hell.
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Riya Sharma
•That's great to hear! I'm definitely going to try Claimyr if I run into any issues with my claim. Thanks for the update.
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Millie Long
Just to clarify the requirements since there seems to be some confusion: Washington ESD requires you to be able and available for work, actively seeking employment, and meet the monetary requirements based on your work history. Age is not a factor in any of these requirements.
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Victoria Brown
•Exactly. The 'able and available' requirement is about your current capacity to work, not your age. If you can work, you can collect unemployment benefits.
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Riya Sharma
•Perfect explanation. I feel much more confident about filing my claim now. Thank you everyone for the helpful information!
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Samuel Robinson
I work in HR and deal with unemployment claims regularly. We've never seen Washington ESD deny a claim based on age alone. The most common reasons for denial are insufficient work history, voluntary quit without good cause, or being fired for misconduct. Age is simply not a disqualifying factor.
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KaiEsmeralda
•thanks for the professional perspective! that's really reassuring to hear from someone who deals with this stuff regularly
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Samuel Robinson
•Happy to help! Age discrimination is a serious legal issue and Washington ESD would never risk that kind of liability. File your claim with confidence.
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Victoria Brown
Your supervisor was either misinformed or trying to discourage you from filing, which is actually illegal. Employers can't interfere with your right to apply for unemployment benefits. Don't let anyone convince you that you're too old for benefits you've earned.
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Riya Sharma
•I never thought about it being illegal for them to discourage me from filing. That's a whole other issue to think about.
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Victoria Brown
•Definitely something to keep in mind. Focus on getting your claim filed first, but know that you have rights that were potentially violated.
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Brianna Muhammad
Been collecting unemployment at 69 for the past 2 months. No issues whatsoever. The hardest part is the job search requirements because some employers do discriminate (though they're not supposed to), but Washington ESD doesn't care about your age as long as you're actively looking.
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Riya Sharma
•How are you handling the job search part? I'm worried about applying for jobs that might not be realistic for someone my age.
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Brianna Muhammad
•I apply for positions I'm qualified for and can actually do. Washington ESD wants to see genuine effort, not that you're applying for jobs you clearly can't perform. Focus on your skills and experience.
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JaylinCharles
The Social Security Administration and Washington ESD are completely separate systems. You can collect unemployment benefits even if you're already collecting Social Security. There might be some interaction between the benefits, but age itself isn't a barrier to either program.
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Laura Lopez
•Good point about Social Security. Some people don't realize you can collect both simultaneously in certain situations.
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Riya Sharma
•I'm not collecting Social Security yet, but it's good to know for the future. Thanks for that information.
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KaiEsmeralda
honestly the age thing is such a myth. my grandmother collected unemployment at 78 when her part time job ended. as long as you want to work and are looking for work, washington esd will pay your benefits
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Eloise Kendrick
•78! That's incredible. Good for her for staying active and working. Shows that age really doesn't matter for unemployment eligibility.
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KaiEsmeralda
•yeah she was sharp as a tack and loved working. took her about 4 months to find something new but she never had issues with her claim
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Gabriel Freeman
Final thought: I've helped several older relatives with their unemployment claims over the years. The process is exactly the same regardless of age. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If you've worked and paid into the system, you've earned these benefits.
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Riya Sharma
•Thank you so much to everyone who responded. I'm filing my claim tomorrow morning. You've all been incredibly helpful and reassuring.
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Santiago Diaz
•Good luck with your claim! You'll do fine. The system is designed to help people like you who are genuinely looking for work.
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Millie Long
One last piece of advice: when you file, make sure you have all your employment information ready including dates, wages, and reason for separation. The more accurate information you provide upfront, the smoother your claim process will be. Age won't be a factor at all.
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Riya Sharma
•I've been gathering all my paperwork. I have 12 years of employment history with this company so it should be straightforward. Thanks again everyone!
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Victoria Brown
•You're going to do great. Don't let your former supervisor's misinformation discourage you. You have every right to these benefits.
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