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Don't wait until the last minute to figure this out. Start applying for other assistance programs now while you still have some income coming in. The applications can take time to process.
Keep in mind that if you do qualify for a new benefit year, there might be a waiting period or delays in processing. Don't assume it will be seamless even if you do have enough work history.
The percentage thing is misleading because it's not based on your last paycheck. My friend thought she'd get half her salary and was shocked when her benefits were way less because she'd only been working at higher wages for a few months.
Bottom line - most people get between 40-50% of their average weekly wage, but it really depends on your specific situation. The online calculator is your best bet for an accurate estimate.
Glad I could help with the Claimyr suggestion! Even if you don't need it for eligibility questions, it's super useful if you ever need to talk to someone about claim issues later on. The regular phone lines can be brutal to get through.
If anyone needs to get a corrected 1099-G from Washington ESD, that Claimyr service people mentioned actually helped me get through to someone who could issue a corrected form. Saved me weeks of trying to reach them myself.
Thanks for this thread! Filing my taxes this week and this gave me the confidence to handle the unemployment part myself instead of paying someone extra for it.
Drake
One last tip - if you do get approved, make sure you understand the difference between your weekly benefit amount and your maximum benefit amount. Your weekly amount is what you get each week, but your maximum is the total you can collect over the entire benefit year. Most people can collect for up to 26 weeks.
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Andre Laurent
•So the maximum is just your weekly amount times 26 weeks?
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Drake
•Exactly, assuming you remain eligible for the full 26 weeks. But if you find work before then, you can't save unused benefits for later.
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Sarah Jones
The system can be overwhelming at first but it's really designed to help people who have worked and lost their jobs through no fault of their own. From everything you've described, you sound like exactly the type of person unemployment insurance is meant to help. Don't let the bureaucracy intimidate you.
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Andre Laurent
•Thank you! That's reassuring. I was worried I might not qualify, but it sounds like I should be okay.
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