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For anyone still struggling to get through to Washington ESD for specific questions about their claim duration, that Claimyr service really does work. Saved me hours of frustration trying to call on my own.
Just to summarize for anyone reading this later: Washington state unemployment is maximum 26 weeks of regular UI benefits during your benefit year. No current federal extensions. Use your time wisely and have a plan for what happens when benefits end.
The biggest benefit is obviously the money but don't overlook the job search resources. WorkSource has resume help, interview prep, and job matching services. It's actually required that you register with them within a few weeks of filing.
Just remember you have to be able and available for work to keep getting benefits. If you go on vacation or get sick, you need to report that when you file your weekly claim. Being dishonest can lead to overpayment issues later.
Pro tip: if your claim is taking longer than 4 weeks, there's probably an issue that needs to be resolved. Don't just keep waiting - call or find a way to get through to someone who can tell you what's wrong.
Easier said than done when you can't get through to anyone on the phone. That's why I'm considering that Claimyr service people mentioned.
For anyone still waiting - don't forget you can check your claim status online through SecureAccess Washington. Sometimes the status updates there before you get any notification emails.
One last thing - make sure you apply as soon as possible after your last day of work. There's usually a waiting period and you want to get that clock started.
Gianni Serpent
Just want to add that if you're getting conflicting information or still confused about your timeline, services like Claimyr can be really helpful. I used them when I couldn't figure out why my payments suddenly stopped, and the agent was able to explain there was a job search requirement issue I wasn't aware of.
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Simon White
•That's exactly the kind of thing I'm worried about - issues I don't even know exist.
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Gianni Serpent
•Right, sometimes there are behind-the-scenes things that aren't obvious from just looking at your online account. Having someone who can actually talk to Washington ESD on your behalf makes a huge difference.
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Henry Delgado
One more thing - don't forget about the job search requirements! You need to be actively looking for work and documenting it even while waiting for your first payment. Some people think they can wait until benefits start but you need to be searching from day one.
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Henry Delgado
•Yeah you need to log your job search activities in the WorkSourceWA system. It's separate from your regular weekly claims but equally important.
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Nasira Ibanez
•Exactly - failing to meet job search requirements can cause issues with your benefits even if everything else is processed correctly.
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