


Ask the community...
For anyone still struggling to reach Washington ESD about eligibility questions, I'll mention Claimyr one more time. I know I've brought it up before but it really helped me get my questions answered when I couldn't get through on my own. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to understand your specific situation.
This has been a really informative thread. I think the key takeaways for Washington ESD eligibility are: meet the wage requirements, be unemployed through no fault of your own, be able and available for work, register with WorkSource, and actively search for jobs. Anything I'm missing?
From my experience with similar wages, you'll probably get somewhere in the $450-550 range per week. Not enough to maintain your full lifestyle but definitely helps cover basic expenses while job hunting. The key is to treat job searching like your full-time job.
One last tip - if you have any issues with your claim or need clarification on anything, don't wait. Address problems early before they turn into bigger issues. And if you can't get through by phone, there's always the secure messaging system on their website, though responses can take a few days.
You're welcome! And remember, if you do need to reach an agent quickly, Claimyr is there as an option. Sometimes it's worth it just for peace of mind.
Just to add - if you do find work and then get laid off again, you might be able to reopen your existing claim if it's still within your benefit year and you haven't exhausted all 26 weeks.
This has been really helpful everyone. I feel much more confident about handling the federal unemployment tax requirements now. The distinction between Washington ESD state taxes and federal FUTA was the key thing I was missing.
Natasha Kuznetsova
This thread has been super helpful! I'm in a similar situation and was wondering the same thing. Thanks for asking OP
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Andre Moreau
•No problem! Glad it helped someone else too. That's what these forums are for right?
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AstroAdventurer
Last thought - even if the math seems confusing, Washington ESD's computer system will calculate everything automatically when you apply. You just need to provide accurate employment information and let the system do the work
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Javier Mendoza
•Exactly! Don't let the complexity scare you away from applying if you need benefits. The worst they can say is no.
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Andre Moreau
•That's reassuring. I was getting overwhelmed by all the quarters and wage calculations but if the system does it automatically that's much easier.
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