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Bottom line - you get up to 26 weeks (about 6.5 months) of regular unemployment benefits in Washington if you qualify. File as soon as you're unemployed, keep up with your weekly claims and job search requirements, and you should be good to go.
Just remember that unemployment is temporary assistance while you look for work. Use the time wisely to find a good opportunity rather than just getting by. The 26 weeks goes faster than you think.
Keep checking your account daily for updates. Sometimes they ask for additional information and you only have a limited time to respond. Missing those deadlines can really delay your claim.
Hang in there. I know it's stressful waiting for the decision when you need money for bills. Most people do eventually get approved, especially when they have documentation like you do. The process just takes longer than it should.
Anyone know if working part-time affects your weekly benefit calculation? I might have to take a part-time job while looking for full-time work.
Part-time work during your claim can reduce your weekly benefit, but there's an earnings deduction formula. Generally you can earn up to about 1.5 times your weekly benefit before you lose eligibility completely for that week.
Bottom line - your weekly benefit amount is probably going to be somewhere between 40-50% of what you were earning weekly at your job, up to the state maximum. For $52K annually, you're looking at maybe $400-500 per week, but the only way to know for sure is to get through to Washington ESD or wait for your determination letter.
Just wanted to add - keep all your documentation organized from day one. Pay stubs, termination letter, any correspondence with Washington ESD. You might need it later for appeals or if they audit your claim.
Bottom line - at your income level, you'll probably get close to the maximum benefit amount. Just be patient with the process and stay on top of your weekly claims. It's not fun being unemployed, but at least Washington's benefits are decent.
Yeah, and remember - if you run into any roadblocks with Washington ESD, there are resources like Claimyr to help you get through to them. Don't suffer in silence!
Kaylee Cook
The earnings requirements aren't that high really. Even at minimum wage if you work steady for 8 months you should easily qualify. The bigger challenge is dealing with Washington ESD's terrible customer service when you need help.
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Oliver Alexander
•So true! The system itself isn't that complicated once you understand it, but getting help when something goes wrong is nearly impossible.
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Zara Perez
•Which is exactly why I was so glad to find Claimyr when my claim got stuck. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person to get things moving.
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Lara Woods
Thanks for this thread! I've been wondering the same thing since my job has been talking about potential layoffs. Feel much better knowing 8 months should be enough.
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Justin Evans
•Glad this helped someone else too! Hope neither of us ends up needing it though.
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