Can I get ESD unemployment if my job was 100% commission-based for 2 years?

yes u can get benefits if u had 100% commission BUT they look at ur earnings in base period and u need to have earned at least like $4,200 i think??? in commission during that time. also your real estate broker has to have been paying unemployment insurance taxes on ur commissions. some places classify commission ppl as independent contractors which woudlnt qualify. did u get a w2 or 1099??

Commission-only workers can absolutely qualify for unemployment in Washington state as long as you were classified as an employee (W-2), not an independent contractor (1099). ESD uses your highest-earning quarters during your base period to calculate your weekly benefit amount. The "base period" is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you apply. So if you file in April 2025, your base period would be January-December 2024. Since real estate income fluctuates, your weekly benefit amount will be based on your average earnings during your highest-earning quarters. Just be prepared to show documentation of all your commission income when you file.

I WAS ON COMMISSION TOO and ESD made my life HELL for 6 weeks!!! They kept saying they needed to "verify my income" over and over even though I sent them everything!!! They put me in adjudication for no reason and I couldn't get ANYONE on the phone!!! The system is BROKEN!!! 😡😡😡

my cousin works selling cars all commission and he got unemployment when the dealership closed last year. took longer to process than my claim did when i got laid off from warehouse job but he did get it eventually

To add to what others have said, commission-only employees often face additional scrutiny during the claims process, but you are eligible if: 1. You were classified as a W-2 employee (not 1099) 2. Your employer paid unemployment taxes on your commissions 3. You meet the minimum earnings requirement in your base period (around $4,800 for 2025) When you file, make sure to have: - All W-2 forms - Commission statements showing payment dates and amounts - Any employment contract mentioning commission structure - Documentation showing the business closure (if available) Be prepared for ESD to contact your employer to verify your employment status and that unemployment taxes were paid on your commissions. This verification process may extend the time it takes to process your claim.

when i applied after working commission sales they kept asking me about "hours worked" every week but i didnt really have set hours?? i just put down 40 hours each week even tho some weeks i worked way more and some less. nobody ever questioned it.

When I was trying to reach ESD about my commission-based job situation, I was stuck in phone queue hell for DAYS. I finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours or days. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent I spoke with confirmed that commission-only workers are eligible as long as you were a W-2 employee and your employer paid unemployment taxes. They also helped me understand how my benefit amount would be calculated based on my varying income.

One more important point for commission workers: when you start filing weekly claims, you'll need to meet job search requirements (currently 3 activities per week). If you're looking to stay in real estate or commission-based sales, make sure your job search activities reflect that industry. Document all networking events, applications, and interviews carefully. ESD occasionally conducts job search reviews, and having detailed records will prevent potential issues with your claim.

Thank you all for the helpful information! I feel much more confident about filing now. I'll gather all my W-2s, commission statements, and other documentation before I start the application. It sounds like I should expect the process to take longer than usual since I had commission income, but at least I know I'm potentially eligible. I'll update this thread after I file in case it helps others in a similar situation.

Good luck with your application! Just want to add that if you do run into any delays or issues during the process, don't get discouraged. Commission-based claims often take a bit longer to process, but as long as you have your documentation ready (which it sounds like you do), you should be fine. The fact that you got W-2s and worked for the same employer for 2 years is definitely in your favor. Keep us posted on how it goes - your experience will definitely help other commission workers who find this thread later!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation last year! I was a commission-only insurance agent for about 18 months before my agency downsized. Like others mentioned, having W-2s is crucial - that immediately shows you were an employee, not a contractor. One thing I wish I'd known ahead of time: ESD might ask for your employment contract or offer letter that shows your commission structure. I had to dig through old emails to find mine, so definitely locate that if you still have it. Also, they asked me to explain why my income varied so much month-to-month, so be ready to briefly describe how commission work fluctuates. My claim took about 3 weeks longer than my friend's regular salary claim, but I did get approved. The weekly benefit amount was actually pretty decent since they calculated it based on my best quarters. Don't let the extra paperwork discourage you - commission workers absolutely qualify if you meet the basic requirements!

I'm in a similar boat - been working commission-only sales at a furniture store for about 3 years and they just announced they're closing next month. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful! I've been putting off applying because I wasn't sure if commission workers even qualified, but it sounds like as long as I have my W-2s (which I do) and my employer was paying unemployment taxes, I should be eligible. One question - did anyone have issues with the varying income affecting their job search requirements? Like, are they expecting me to look for the same type of commission-based sales jobs, or can I apply for hourly positions too while I'm collecting benefits? I'm wondering if I should stick to my industry or if branching out would cause any problems with ESD.