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One more resource - if you need help with the appeal process down the road, legal aid organizations in Washington sometimes help with unemployment cases. Just another option to keep in mind.
For anyone else reading this who got fired - don't let it stop you from applying. The worst they can say is no, and you might be surprised by the outcome. I thought for sure I'd be denied but ended up getting approved.
Just wanted to add that you can appeal your benefit calculation if you think there's an error. I had to do this when they missed one of my employers from my base period.
Thanks everyone for explaining this! The Washington ESD website makes it sound so complicated but this thread broke it down perfectly.
Just want to echo what others have said about being completely honest with your reporting. I've been working part-time retail while collecting benefits for 3 months and haven't had any issues because I report everything accurately. The system actually works pretty well if you follow the rules.
One last tip - keep good records of your work hours and earnings. I use a simple notebook to write down each shift and how much I made. If Washington ESD ever questions anything, you'll have documentation to back up what you reported.
The bottom line is don't let the length of time at your current job discourage you from applying if you become unemployed. Your previous work history is what really matters for eligibility in Washington.
Just to summarize for anyone else reading this: Washington ESD doesn't require any minimum employment period at your current job. They look at your wages over the past 4-5 quarters from ALL qualifying employers to determine monetary eligibility.
Zara Ahmed
Anyone else have trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about eligibility? I swear their phone system is designed to make you give up. Found Claimyr through Reddit and it actually worked - got connected to an agent who helped me understand the base period calculation. Worth every penny honestly.
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Luca Conti
•I'm at my wit's end trying to reach them. Might have to try this Claimyr thing too.
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Zara Ahmed
•Do it. Their demo video shows exactly how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. So much better than listening to busy signals all day.
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Nia Johnson
The job search requirement is no joke either. You have to keep detailed records of where you applied, when, and what happened. Washington ESD can audit this stuff, so don't just make it up. I use a spreadsheet to track everything.
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Paolo Romano
•How many jobs do I need to apply to each week?
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Nia Johnson
•Usually 3 job search activities per week, but it can vary. Could be applications, networking events, job fairs, etc. They explain it when you file your claim.
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