One more important point: When you apply, ESD will automatically calculate your base year and determine if you qualify. You don't need to figure this all out beforehand. If you believe your job situation isn't going to work out, you should apply when the time comes and let the system determine your eligibility. Just be honest about your work history, separation reason, and current employment situation. The online application will walk you through everything step by step.

Just wanted to add that Washington also has a "Alternate Base Year" option if you don't qualify under the standard base year calculation. This uses the most recent 4 completed quarters instead of the first 4 of the last 5. Since you've been working W-2 for 3 months, this might help you if you need to file soon - it could potentially capture more of your recent W-2 earnings. ESD will automatically check this if you don't qualify under the standard calculation, so it's worth keeping in mind as a potential backup option.

does anybody know if attending an in-person workshop at WorkSource counts the same as the individual appointments? i'm trying to get ahead of my requirements lol

Just wanted to add that if you're still having trouble reaching your WorkSource specialist, you can also try logging into your WorkSource account online to see if there are any available self-service options for rescheduling. Some locations allow you to reschedule through the portal without having to play phone tag. Also, if you have any documentation about why you missed the original appointment (like medical records if you were sick), it might be worth mentioning that when you attend your new appointment - sometimes they'll make a note in your file that could help if there are ever future scheduling conflicts.

Bottom line - yes, layoffs qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington. File as soon as you're eligible, keep good records, and don't ignore any correspondence from ESD. You should be fine given your work history.

Just wanted to add that you should also check if your company is offering any severance package or COBRA benefits. These won't affect your unemployment eligibility, but they can impact the timing of when you file. If you're getting severance pay that extends beyond your last work day, you might need to wait until that severance period ends before you can start collecting UI benefits. Also, don't forget to ask HR about any unused vacation or PTO payout - that's separate from unemployment but good to know about for your financial planning.

UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD using the Claimyr service (thanks for that recommendation). Turns out it WAS a combined wage issue! My Oregon wages weren't showing up in their system because I answered a question wrong on my initial application. The agent was able to fix it right there on the phone and said my claim should update in 3-5 business days and switch back to processing. She also said I'll still get all my back weeks once it's approved. Such a relief!

Wow, what a journey! This thread is super helpful for anyone dealing with interstate claims. I'm actually in a similar boat - filed 6 weeks ago after moving from California to Washington and my claim is still "pending" with no updates. Reading through all this makes me think I might have the same combined wage issue. Did the ESD agent mention how common this problem is? It seems like their system should automatically flag when someone has worked in multiple states instead of just marking claims as invalid with zero explanation.

This whole thread is really reassuring to read! I've been unemployed for about 2 months and honestly wasn't sure if I was doing enough with my work search documentation. Hearing from people who actually went through audits gives me a much better sense of what Washington ESD is looking for. I've been pretty casual about keeping records - just basic notes in my phone - but after reading about James having to provide screenshots and business cards, I'm definitely going to step up my game. The spreadsheet idea from Cole sounds perfect for staying organized. It's kind of scary knowing the audits are random, but at least now I know what to expect if I get selected. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences instead of just the official policy stuff!

Reading through everyone's experiences here has been super helpful! I'm about 4 months into my unemployment claim and have been pretty diligent about my work search activities, but admittedly my record-keeping has been hit or miss. The audit stories are definitely motivating - especially hearing about James having to provide screenshots and documentation going back weeks. I've been mostly just jotting down company names and dates in a notebook, but it sounds like I need to be way more thorough. Going to start taking screenshots of every online application and keeping digital copies of everything. The randomness of the audits is what makes this so stressful - you never know when your number might come up. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences, it's way more valuable than just reading the official ESD guidelines!