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After you file your initial claim, you'll get a handbook in the mail that explains everything about weekly claims, job search requirements, and reporting. Read through it - it's actually pretty helpful.
If you run into any issues with your claim after filing, don't wait around hoping it will fix itself. Call ESD or use one of those callback services like Claimyr to get help quickly. Problems usually get worse if you ignore them.
Been filing weekly claims for 4 months now and my biggest advice is just to be consistent. File every week at the same time and keep good records. Makes everything much easier.
Oh and one last thing - save or screenshot your confirmation page after you file each week. Sometimes there are technical glitches and having proof you filed can save you headaches later.
Bottom line - look at your monetary determination letter for the total benefit amount, divide by your weekly amount, and that's roughly how many weeks you'll get. Everything else is just details.
Bottom line: regular unemployment lasts 26 weeks maximum, no current extensions available, benefit year is 52 weeks from filing date, partial work weeks may not count against your total, and you need to maintain job search requirements throughout. Keep good records and don't wait until the last minute to plan for what comes after benefits end.
Liam McGuire
just remember that unemployment is temporary - the goal is to find another job not live on benefits forever. that said the weekly amounts definitely help bridge the gap while you're searching
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Amara Eze
•Easy to say when you're not facing eviction. Some of us need every dollar we can get right now.
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Liam McGuire
•i get it trust me. was just trying to be encouraging. the job market is rough right now
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GalacticGuardian
For OP - based on your $52K salary, you're probably looking at somewhere between $280-320 per week depending on how your earnings were distributed throughout the year. Not great but better than nothing while you job hunt.
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Yuki Sato
•Thanks for the estimate! That's pretty much what I was hoping for. Should be enough to cover my basic expenses while I look for something new.
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GalacticGuardian
•Just make sure you're actively job searching and keeping track of your contacts. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week.
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