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This whole thread has been super helpful. I'm in a similar boat - got 'laid off' but it feels more like I was targeted. Filing my claim today based on all this advice. Fingers crossed!
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. It really helps to know you're not alone when going through this process. The unemployment system can be confusing and intimidating, but this community makes it feel less overwhelming.
If you're getting the maximum benefit amount, make sure you're really documenting your job search activities well. Washington ESD tends to audit higher-dollar claims more often to make sure people are actually looking for work.
One last thing - if you're getting close to exhausting your 26 weeks of benefits and still haven't found work, there might be extended benefits available depending on the unemployment rate. But that's pretty rare and has strict requirements.
Pro tip: take screenshots of everything in your account, especially your weekly claim confirmations. If there are ever any issues or disputes later, having that documentation can be really helpful. I learned this after having a problem with a missing payment.
Update us when you hear back! Always curious how long the process takes for different people. Seems to vary quite a bit depending on your situation and how busy they are.
If you need to check on the status before then, definitely consider Claimyr if the phone lines aren't working for you. Made all the difference for me.
Thanks OP for starting this discussion. Really helpful to see all these strategies in one place. Going to bookmark this thread.
One last tip - if you're dealing with an overpayment notice, don't ignore it. The sooner you address it (either by paying or appealing), the better your options will be.
Rami Samuels
The whole system seems designed to confuse people and make it hard to get benefits. I had to call Washington ESD multiple times just to understand my benefit duration, and each representative gave me slightly different information.
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Haley Bennett
•That's so frustrating! You'd think they would have consistent training for their staff.
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Douglas Foster
•I had better luck using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. At least I got to talk to someone who could look at my specific account instead of getting generic answers.
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Nina Chan
For what it's worth, I got the full 26 weeks when I was laid off in 2023. I had worked full-time for 3 years at decent wages, so I qualified for the maximum. If you've been working steady, you'll probably get close to the full duration.
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Ruby Knight
•That's reassuring. I've been at my job for 2 years full-time so hopefully I'll qualify for most of the 26 weeks too.
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Lydia Bailey
•Thanks everyone for all the info! This has been really helpful in understanding how the benefit duration works.
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