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I wish Washington ESD made this information clearer on their website. I had to dig through multiple pages to find concrete info about the 26-week limit. New claimants shouldn't have to guess about something this basic.
At least now with services like Claimyr (someone shared the link earlier), you don't have to waste days trying to get through to ask basic questions. But yeah, the info should be more accessible.
Quick tip for anyone tracking their weeks: your weekly claim confirmation emails show how many weeks you've claimed. Don't rely on the online account display - it sometimes lags behind.
Bottom line: you need work history in at least 2 quarters of your base period, meet either the 680 hour requirement OR $1,000 minimum earnings, and have total wages that are 1.25x your highest quarter. If you meet all that, you're probably eligible.
One last tip - keep good records of your employment dates and wages. Washington ESD sometimes has incomplete or incorrect wage records, and you might need to provide paystubs or other documentation to prove your work history.
The important thing is getting your claim filed quickly. Even if the severance affects some weeks, you want to get your claim date established as soon as possible after job loss.
One last thing - if you run into any issues with Washington ESD not processing your claim or if it gets stuck somewhere, don't just wait around. Be proactive about contacting them. Sometimes claims get lost in the system and you need to follow up.
This is so true. My friend waited 6 weeks thinking her claim was just being processed normally, but it turned out there was an issue that needed her attention.
That's exactly why services like Claimyr are helpful - when you actually need to reach someone at Washington ESD to resolve an issue, the normal phone system is basically useless.
Hope your claim goes smoothly! Most people don't have major issues if they file everything correctly and stay on top of the weekly requirements. Welcome to the club nobody wants to be in, but at least there's help available.
Bruno Simmons
also consider whether you might qualify for vocational rehabilitation services. they sometimes work with unemployment to help people transition to new careers
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Gianna Scott
•I hadn't thought about that. Where would I apply for vocational rehabilitation?
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Bruno Simmons
•Washington state has DVR (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation). They help people with disabilities find employment or get retrained.
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Aileen Rodriguez
Bottom line - if you can work in some capacity, you should be able to get unemployment benefits. Just be prepared to explain your situation clearly and consistently.
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Gianna Scott
•Thanks everyone for all the advice. I feel much more confident about moving forward with my claim now.
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
•Good luck! Remember to keep detailed records of everything and don't hesitate to ask for clarification if you're unsure about anything.
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