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So just to confirm for everyone reading this - regular unemployment insurance in Washington state is 26 weeks maximum, you need to actively search for work, and there are no extensions currently available. Is that accurate?
And if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your specific situation, definitely consider using Claimyr if you can't get through on your own. I've recommended it to several people now and they've all had success reaching agents when they needed answers about their benefit duration or other claim issues.
The whole unemployment system feels designed to discourage people from filing. But if you paid into it through your taxes, you have every right to collect when you qualify.
Hope this all works out for you OP. Being fired is stressful enough without having to worry about navigating the unemployment system too.
Last bit of advice - if you do get approved, don't slack off on the job search requirements. Washington ESD does audit people and if they find you weren't really looking for work, they can make you pay back all the benefits plus penalties. Take it seriously.
The whole process really isn't as scary as it seems once you get started. Just take it step by step and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. The Washington ESD website has pretty good guides too.
Bottom line: you can apply for unemployment benefits in Washington whenever you become unemployed and meet the eligibility requirements. There's no waiting period between claims and no lifetime limit. Just make sure you have qualifying wages in your base period.
NebulaNomad
The benefit amount also stays the same for your entire claim year, so even if you find higher paying work later and get laid off again within that year, you'd still get the same weekly amount based on your original calculation.
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AstroExplorer
•Interesting, I didn't realize it was locked in for a full year.
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NebulaNomad
•Yeah, it's based on your wages from when you first established the claim. The benefit year runs for 52 weeks from when you first file.
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Javier Garcia
Bottom line - with your salary level you'll probably get a decent weekly amount, but the real challenge is navigating the system itself. File as soon as you're eligible and keep detailed records of everything. And if you run into problems reaching ESD, those services like Claimyr that help with phone connections seem to be really popular lately.
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AstroExplorer
•Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel much more prepared now for when the layoffs happen.
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Javier Garcia
•Good luck with everything! Hope the transition goes smoothly for you.
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