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Thanks everyone for all the info. I think I understand better now who can apply. Seems like the key is whether you lost work through no fault of your own and whether you meet the work history requirements.
One more thing - make sure you apply as soon as possible after losing work. There's no waiting period but you can't get benefits for weeks before you actually file your claim.
Remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can have taxes withheld or pay them later, but don't forget about it when tax time comes around.
The bottom line is you get 26 weeks in Washington state, which is actually pretty reasonable compared to a lot of places. Use the time wisely and hopefully you'll find something before you run out. Good luck!
Just remembered - if anyone needs to actually talk to Washington ESD about their specific situation, that Claimyr service I used is at claimyr.com. Way easier than trying to call the regular number.
Last thing - make sure you check your email regularly after filing. Washington ESD sends important notifications there and you don't want to miss deadlines for responding to requests for information.
Final reminder - the sooner you file, the sooner your waiting week starts. Even if you think you might find a job quickly, it's better to have the claim in place. You can always cancel it later if you don't need it, but you can't backdate benefits for weeks you didn't claim.
Liam O'Connor
thanks everyone for the help! this was stressing me out way more than it needed to
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Diego Chavez
•You're welcome! Glad this thread helped multiple people with the same question.
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Amara Adeyemi
Just filed my claim successfully without the employer account number. Took less than 20 minutes once I stopped worrying about that field. Thanks for all the reassurance!
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Anastasia Smirnova
•Great to hear! Now just make sure you file your weekly claims on time and keep up with any job search requirements.
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Amara Adeyemi
•Will do! Already set reminders in my phone for the weekly filing.
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