This was a really helpful thread. I've been working for about 18 months with a 2-month gap in the middle and was also unsure about applying. Now I know I should definitely give it a try.

Just want to add that I was in almost the exact same situation as you - worked about 15 months with gaps between jobs and was terrified to apply because I thought there was some 2-year continuous work requirement. Turns out that's completely wrong! I applied last fall and got approved pretty quickly. The base period wage calculation is actually pretty straightforward once you understand it's about total earnings in specific quarters, not continuous employment. Don't psych yourself out like I did - if you earned over $1,090 during your base period (which sounds like you definitely did), you should be good to go. The application itself is pretty user-friendly too.

Update us when you hear back! Would be good to know how it turns out. I think you have a decent chance of getting approved based on what you've described.

Based on what you've described, you have a good chance of getting approved. Chronic tardiness due to transportation issues typically isn't considered willful misconduct by Washington ESD, especially if you were making efforts to fix the problem. The fact that you were honest on your application works in your favor too. I went through a similar situation last year - got fired for attendance issues related to childcare problems and still got approved after about 3 weeks of adjudication. The key is that you were still showing up to work, just late, which shows you weren't abandoning your job duties. Keep filing your weekly claims while you wait and stay positive!

Hope you get good news soon! The wait is always nerve-wracking but most people's claims do get approved eventually.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 2.5 weeks ago and still waiting for approval. It's really stressful not knowing when it will come through, especially with bills piling up. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like 3-4 weeks is pretty typical for Washington ESD lately, even for straightforward layoff cases. I've been keeping up with my weekly claims like everyone suggests. Has anyone found that checking the SecureAccess Washington account multiple times a day actually helps, or should I try to just check it once a week to preserve my sanity?

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! When you stop filing for more than a few weeks, Washington ESD automatically puts your claim on hold as a safety measure. The reopen process is actually pretty straightforward - you'll need to confirm your current employment status, update any changes in your situation, and verify you're still available for work. The good news is you keep your original benefit year and weekly amount, so you're not starting from scratch. Just make sure you don't try to claim any weeks when you were working that part-time job. The whole process took about 4 days for me and then I was back to filing weekly claims normally.

I just went through this same process a couple months ago after taking a temporary construction job. The reopen is definitely way less stressful than it sounds! One thing that helped me was having all my documents ready beforehand - like proof of when the job ended and my updated resume for job search activities. Washington ESD's online reopen form walks you through everything step by step, and they even have a progress bar so you know how much is left. The hardest part was honestly just remembering my login info since I hadn't used the site in a few weeks! Make sure you have your Social Security number and the dates you worked handy when you start the process.

Bottom line: if you worked consistently for the past year or so, were laid off or fired for non-misconduct reasons, and can actively look for work, you probably qualify. The Washington ESD website has an eligibility tool that can give you a preliminary assessment before you file.

Based on what you've described - working for 18 months and potentially being laid off due to company downsizing - you should likely qualify for Washington unemployment benefits. The key things to verify: 1) Your wages during the base period meet the minimum requirements (at least $5,400 total or $3,600 in your highest quarter plus 1.5x that amount overall), 2) The layoff is truly due to downsizing and not misconduct on your part, and 3) You're able to work full-time and actively search for jobs. Since you've been employed consistently for 18 months, the wage requirement shouldn't be an issue. I'd recommend filing as soon as you're laid off - don't wait thinking you need to job search first, as there's a waiting week anyway. Just make sure to register with WorkSource right away and be prepared to document your job search activities from week one.