Can I file for unemployment if I haven't worked 2 years - Washington ESD requirements?

The 2 year requirement isn't accurate - Washington ESD looks at your work history over the last 15 months, not 2 years. You need to have earned at least $1,090 in wages during your base period to qualify for benefits. The base period is typically the first 4 of the last 5 complete calendar quarters before you file your claim.

I was in a similar situation last year and qualified even though I had gaps in my employment. Washington ESD will look at all your covered wages during the base period, even if you worked for different employers. The key is having enough total wages, not working continuously for 2 years.

I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I needed to verify my wage information for my claim. If you run into issues like that, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me actually reach someone at Washington ESD. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. It was really helpful when I couldn't get through on my own.

wait i thought you needed to work for like 18 months or something?? this is confusing

Just to add some detail - when you apply, Washington ESD will automatically calculate your base period wages from their records. You don't need to prove you worked continuously, just that you had sufficient covered employment during those quarters. Make sure all your employers reported your wages correctly to the state.

I'm in almost the exact same situation - worked about 15 months with some gaps between jobs. I was worried about applying but after reading this thread I think I should just go for it. The worst case is they say I don't qualify, right?

The application process isn't too bad either. Just make sure you have your employment history ready including dates and employer information. Washington ESD's website walks you through it step by step.

I had a friend who thought she couldn't apply because she'd only worked part-time for most of her base period, but she still qualified. The wage requirement isn't as high as people think - that $1,090 minimum is pretty achievable even with part-time work.

this whole thread is making me realize i should probably apply too lol. i keep putting it off because i thought the requirements were way more complicated

One thing to keep in mind is that even if you qualify, you'll still need to meet the ongoing requirements like job search activities and filing your weekly claims. But the initial qualification is really just about having enough wages in your base period.

I think people get confused about the work requirements because they mix up unemployment insurance with other programs that might have longer work history requirements. UI in Washington is really focused on recent earnings, not how long you've been in the workforce overall.

Quick question - if I apply and get approved, when do the benefits actually start? Do they backdate to when I first became unemployed?

I actually used Claimyr recently when I had questions about my base period wages and couldn't get through to Washington ESD. It was really helpful - they got me connected to someone who could explain exactly how my wages were calculated. Definitely worth checking out if you run into any issues with your application.

For what it's worth, I applied last month with about 14 months of work history (with gaps) and got approved within 2 weeks. The process was much smoother than I expected.

just wanted to say thanks for asking this question OP - i was wondering the same thing but didn't want to post about it. this thread cleared up a lot of confusion for me

One more tip - when you apply, make sure you have your Social Security number and driver's license ready, plus information about your most recent employer. The application will ask for specific details about your last job including your supervisor's name and reason for separation.

Washington ESD has actually gotten better at processing claims lately compared to a few years ago. I think they upgraded their systems and hired more staff. My friend applied last month and had no issues.

If you do apply and run into any problems reaching Washington ESD by phone, I'd definitely recommend trying Claimyr. I used it when I had an adjudication issue and needed to speak with someone urgently. Much better than spending hours on hold.

Bottom line - don't let the fear of not qualifying stop you from applying. The requirements aren't as strict as people think, and Washington ESD will tell you definitively whether you qualify or not. Better to apply and find out than to assume you don't qualify and miss out on benefits you're entitled to.

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.