Quick tip - if you're calculating your base period wages, make sure to include ALL employers you worked for during that time, even if it was just a few weeks. Every dollar counts toward meeting those minimum requirements Washington ESD has.

Bottom line from everything I've read here - it's about total wages earned over time, not how long you stayed at any one job. As long as you've been working and earning decent money over the past year or so, you probably qualify. The 8 months at your current job plus previous work should put you in good shape OP.

Just to follow up for anyone reading this thread in the future: The ID verification requirement when transitioning to Training Benefits is part of ESD's 2025 fraud prevention measures. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your claim - it's just an extra security step. After you complete the ID.me verification: 1. Allow 3-5 business days for processing 2. Continue filing your weekly claims as normal during this time 3. Keep checking your eServices account for status updates 4. Your claim should return to active status once verification is complete If it takes longer than a week after verification, then contact ESD directly as there might be another issue that needs attention.

That's great news about your claim moving to "processing" status! For anyone else going through this, I wanted to add that you can actually track the ID.me verification status separately on their website too. Sometimes it shows as "verified" there before it updates in your ESD account, which can give you peace of mind that it's working through the system. Also, if you're doing other job search activities or attending training classes while waiting for verification, make sure to keep documenting those in case ESD asks for records later. The verification delay doesn't change your other benefit requirements.

did you have to wait a long time for your hearing? i filed an appeal in early january and still haven't gotten a hearing date yet :

I'm so sorry you had to go through this ordeal, but congratulations on winning your appeal! I'm currently in a similar situation - ESD denied my benefits claiming I was fired for misconduct (which is completely false), and I'm considering whether to hire an attorney for my upcoming hearing. Reading about your experience is both encouraging and frustrating. It's great that you won, but it's absolutely infuriating that ESD can make blatant errors with zero accountability. The fact that you had to spend $1,750 to fix THEIR mistake with your wage calculations is ridiculous. Can I ask - do you think having the attorney made a significant difference in your case? I'm trying to decide if it's worth the cost or if I should try to represent myself. My case involves them mischaracterizing a workplace incident, so I'm not sure how complex the evidence presentation will be.

Quick question - if I start a new job but then get laid off again after a few months, can I file a new unemployment claim or do I have to wait until my original benefit year ends?

For anyone still confused about their specific situation, I'd really recommend talking to someone at Washington ESD directly. I know it's hard to get through by phone, but you can also send messages through your online account or try using one of those calling services people have mentioned.

It sounds incredibly frustrating to be caught in this cross-state employment reporting issue. This can definitely happen with remote work situations when employers don't properly report to the correct state. Since you lived and worked in Washington during your base period, you should be eligible for Washington unemployment, but the system is struggling to verify your wages. Your appeal was the right move. The mail/fax-only option is normal for certain types of appeals. A few suggestions that might help: - Gather as much documentation as possible proving you worked while physically in Washington (pay stubs, employment contract showing your Washington address, tax documents, etc.) - Contact your former employer directly and ask them to correct their wage reporting with Washington ESD - If you filed taxes in Washington during this period, those records could help your case - Consider reaching out to your state representative's office - they sometimes can help navigate complex unemployment issues The appeal process can unfortunately take 1-3 months in many cases. While waiting, keep checking your online portal regularly for updates and respond immediately to any requests for additional information. Remote work situations like yours are becoming more common, so while it's complicated, there is a process to resolve it. The key is proving your physical presence in Washington while performing the work.

I went through something similar as a remote worker! The key thing that helped me was getting my employer to file a correction with Washington ESD showing that I was physically working from Washington during the base period. You might also want to request an Interstate Benefits form (if you worked in multiple states) and provide utility bills, lease agreements, or bank statements showing your Washington residency during the work period. The appeals process is slow but hang in there - remote worker cases are tricky but definitely winnable with the right documentation. Also, if you haven't already, try calling the ESD customer service line repeatedly (I know it's frustrating) to speak with someone who understands multi-state remote work situations.