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Bottom line: you need work history in at least 2 quarters of your base period, meet either the 680 hour requirement OR $1,000 minimum earnings, and have total wages that are 1.25x your highest quarter. If you meet all that, you're probably eligible.
One last tip - keep good records of your employment dates and wages. Washington ESD sometimes has incomplete or incorrect wage records, and you might need to provide paystubs or other documentation to prove your work history.
One last thing - if you do end up filing, make sure you're honest about why you left your job. Washington ESD will contact your employer to verify, and any discrepancies can cause problems with your claim.
just wanted to add that the $999 maximum is for regular unemployment. If you're on standby or certain other programs, the amounts might be different. But for most people filing regular UI claims, that's the current max weekly benefit.
File as soon as possible! I procrastinated for a month thinking the benefits wouldn't be much, but I ended up getting $650 per week which really helped while I was job hunting. Every week you wait is money you're potentially losing.
I used Claimyr when I had issues with my weekly claim certification and it was a lifesaver. Instead of spending my whole day trying to get through to Washington ESD, I just used their service and got connected to an agent in reasonable time. The video demo on their site explains it better than I can.
Based on what you've described, it sounds like you should qualify. 8 months at your last job plus 6 months at the previous one should give you enough work history. Being laid off is a qualifying separation reason. Just make sure you file your initial claim online through the Washington ESD website and follow all the instructions carefully.
Savannah Vin
One more tip - if you have any side gig income or part-time work while unemployed, make sure you report it accurately on your weekly claims. Even small amounts need to be reported or you could face overpayment issues later.
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Jessica Suarez
•I don't have any other income right now but good to know for the future.
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Savannah Vin
•Yeah, even like DoorDash or selling stuff online counts as income that needs to be reported.
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Mason Stone
The bottom line is don't wait - file your claim today if possible. The system has its quirks but most people who are legitimately unemployed through no fault of their own get approved eventually. Just be patient with the process and keep filing those weekly claims.
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Marcus Williams
•Good luck! Feel free to ask if you run into any issues during the application process.
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Makayla Shoemaker
•Welcome to the unemployment club nobody wants to join! Seriously though, you'll get through this. The benefits help a lot while you're looking for your next opportunity.
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