At what age can you file for unemployment in Washington - confused about requirements

That's helpful to know! Do you happen to know what the minimum wage requirements are for Washington? She was making $16/hour for those 8 months.

She'll need to have earned at least $1,500 in her base period to qualify. With 25 hours a week at $16/hour for 8 months, she should easily meet that threshold.

Good to hear! Was the process complicated for him being so young?

not really, just had to provide his social security number and work history like anyone else. the hardest part was actually getting through to someone at washington esd when he had questions

Thanks for the tip about Claimyr! I'll keep that in mind if we have trouble reaching someone at Washington ESD.

wait what is claimyr exactly? is it legit or one of those scam services?

It's legitimate - they help you get through to actual Washington ESD agents instead of sitting on hold for hours. Check out their site at claimyr.com if you want to learn more.

Oh no, that's concerning. What kind of additional documentation did they ask for?

They wanted pay stubs, separation notice, and then randomly asked for his high school diploma to verify he was available for work. Total nightmare.

That's unusual - Washington ESD typically doesn't require high school diplomas for UI claims. There might have been something specific about his case that triggered additional review.

Yes, all unemployment claimants in Washington have to meet the job search requirements - typically 3 job search activities per week and maintaining a job search log. Age doesn't exempt anyone from these requirements.

ugh that seems like a lot for a teenager who's also trying to focus on school. can they count applying to part-time jobs that work around school schedules?

Absolutely! Washington ESD recognizes that students may need part-time or flexible schedules. As long as they're genuinely seeking work they're able and available to perform, it counts.

Did you end up filing back then? How did it go?

Yeah I did file and got approved! It wasn't much money but it helped while I looked for another job. The process was pretty straightforward even as a teenager.

that's encouraging to hear! sounds like washington has been consistent about age not being a barrier

That makes sense. She's definitely willing to work and has been applying to other places already. Good to know she needs to keep that up.

Exactly! And make sure she keeps detailed records of her job search activities for her weekly claims. Washington ESD can audit these at any time.

That's good to know! Was it expensive?

It was worth it to actually get answers instead of wasting entire days trying to call. Much less stressful than the usual Washington ESD phone nightmare.

I've been considering trying claimyr too. My claim has been stuck in adjudication for weeks and I can't get through to anyone at washington esd to find out what's happening

That's a good point. My daughter is planning to work part-time while finishing her senior year, so hopefully that won't be an issue.

As long as she can demonstrate she's genuinely seeking and available for work that fits her schedule, she should be fine. Washington ESD just wants to make sure claimants are serious about finding employment.

Thanks for sharing! That's reassuring to hear another recent example.

yeah it was actually pretty smooth. took about 2 weeks to get the first payment which seemed normal

That's a great point about age discrimination. I hadn't thought about it that way but it makes perfect sense.

Exactly. If someone worked and paid into the system, they deserve the same protections regardless of age. Your daughter should have no issues filing if she meets the other requirements.

What kind of additional documentation might they ask for?

Possibly a letter from school about their schedule, or documentation showing they can work certain hours. It's not always required but Washington ESD might ask for it during the eligibility review.

That's a good point. Students should be prepared to show they're available for work that fits around their school schedule.

I agree! I had to search around quite a bit to find basic information about age requirements.

right? their website is so confusing and trying to call them is impossible. at least forums like this help people figure things out

Good point! She was laid off three days ago so we should get on this soon. Is there a specific timeframe where you lose eligibility if you wait too long?

There's no hard deadline but you definitely want to file within the first week or two. The sooner the better to avoid any potential issues with your claim.

Thanks! I'm definitely keeping that option in mind. Seems like several people here have had good experiences with them.

Yeah, it's frustrating that we need a third-party service just to talk to our own state agency, but at least it works when you really need answers.

Perfect, that's exactly what I needed to know. Thanks to everyone who responded - this has been really helpful!

You're welcome! Hope her claim goes smoothly. Just remember to keep up with the weekly claims and job search requirements.

Thank you! I feel much more confident about moving forward with her application now.

awesome! just be patient with the process and don't hesitate to reach out if you run into any issues