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I always schedule my rent payment for Wednesday when I know my unemployment comes Tuesday. Gives me a buffer in case there are any delays. Might be worth adjusting your payment schedule once you get into the routine.
Bottom line - you need to talk to Washington ESD directly about your specific situation. All the general advice in the world won't help if your circumstances are unique.
Update us on what you decide! I'm sure other people are in similar situations and would benefit from knowing how it works out.
Once your claim is approved and you get your UI number, the weekly filing process is actually pretty straightforward. The hard part is just this initial waiting period.
For anyone still confused about the 26 weeks - that's the maximum you can receive in a benefit year. Some people might not qualify for the full 26 weeks depending on their work history, but most people who qualify for regular UI get the full duration.
Just want to add that the 26 weeks is per benefit year, so if you use up all your weeks and then work again for a sufficient period, you could potentially qualify for a new claim later. But there are specific requirements about wages earned and time worked.
Good point! I had to requalify after working for about 8 months. The process was much faster the second time since I already had an account set up.
Exactly, and if you do need to contact Washington ESD about requalifying or any other questions, that Claimyr service people mentioned really does work. Saved me hours of calling.
AstroAce
Remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income so you might want to have taxes withheld from your payments. You can set that up when you file your weekly claims.
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Ravi Sharma
•Good point about taxes. I'll definitely set up withholding so I don't get stuck with a big tax bill later.
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AstroAce
•Smart thinking. It's only 10% federal withholding but it helps avoid surprises at tax time.
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Zoe Kyriakidou
Just to summarize for you - you likely qualify based on your earnings, make sure to apply ASAP, register with WorkSource, keep good job search records, and file your weekly claims on time. You've got this!
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Ravi Sharma
•Perfect summary! I feel much more confident about the process now. Thanks to everyone who helped answer my questions.
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