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I went through something similar when my company was acquired two years ago. The waiting period is definitely the hardest part - not knowing if you'll have a job or what the terms will be. In my case, the new owners actually improved our benefits package, but I know that's not always how it goes. One thing I learned is that Washington ESD considers each situation individually, so having good documentation of your current job terms really matters if you do need to file a claim. The fact that you've been there 3 years and never collected UI before should work in your favor. Try to stay calm during next week's meeting and ask specific questions about salary, hours, and responsibilities if they do make you an offer.
Yeah, I know people who missed weeks and couldn't get paid for them later. Better to file every week just in case.
Based on your $52k salary, you're likely looking at around $650-750 per week in unemployment benefits, depending on how your wages were distributed across quarters in your base period. Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from the base period (typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters) and divides that by 26 to calculate your weekly benefit amount. Since you mentioned working overtime, that should help boost your calculation since all reported wages count. Just make sure to file as soon as possible since there's a waiting week and benefits don't start until you actually file your claim. Good luck with your job search!
One thing to remember is that you still have to do job search activities even if you're getting the maximum benefit amount. The requirements are the same regardless of how much you're receiving.
I just wanted to add that if you're having trouble navigating the ESD website to find current benefit information, try looking for their "Benefit Calculator" tool. It can give you an estimate of what your weekly benefit amount might be based on your wages. Just keep in mind it's an estimate - your actual amount might vary slightly depending on how they calculate your base period wages. The calculator helped me get a ballpark figure before I filed my claim.
My experience has been that Washington ESD is pretty practical about this stuff. They want to see you're looking for work you can actually do and would actually accept. Whether you learned those skills in school, on the job, or somewhere else doesn't seem to matter much as long as you can demonstrate the connection between your background and the positions you're applying for.
Definitely! And remember if you do need to talk to Washington ESD directly about your specific situation, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier can save you hours of phone tag.
I've been through this exact situation! I have a master's in engineering but during my unemployment last year I applied for everything from project management roles to retail positions at Best Buy (figured my tech knowledge would be relevant). Washington ESD never questioned my education level at all - they just wanted to see consistent job search activity. The key thing I learned is to be genuine about why you're applying for each position. For retail jobs, I'd mention customer service skills from previous roles. For management positions, I'd reference my degree and leadership experience. As long as you can show you're legitimately available and willing to do the work, your education level isn't a barrier to applying for a wide range of jobs.
Mateo Hernandez
Perfect summary. Documentation and consistency will keep you in compliance with Washington ESD requirements. Good luck with your job search!
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Dylan Fisher
I've been in a similar situation and learned the hard way that Washington ESD takes the "actively seeking work" requirement very seriously. The 3 weekly activities rule is non-negotiable, but the good news is that activities are broader than just job applications. I've found success mixing applications with LinkedIn outreach, attending virtual career events, and even informational interviews. The key is keeping detailed records - I use a simple Excel sheet with date, company/contact, activity type, and any follow-up actions. One tip: if you're in a specialized field, don't be afraid to reach out directly to companies that might not have current openings but could be interested in your skills later.
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