Can seasonal employees collect unemployment in Washington - confused about eligibility

Yes, seasonal employees can definitely collect unemployment in Washington! The key is that you need to have earned enough wages during your base period and be able and available for work. Since you earned $18k last year, you should meet the wage requirements. File your claim as soon as your seasonal job ends.

I'm in the same boat - worked at a Christmas tree farm and now I'm laid off until spring planting season. Been trying to call Washington ESD for three days straight but keep getting the busy signal or disconnected after waiting on hold forever.

Be careful about the 'able and available' requirement. If you're only looking for seasonal work or have restrictions on when you can work, Washington ESD might question your availability. Make sure you're genuinely seeking work during your off-season.

seasonal work is tricky with unemployment... my cousin worked at a pumpkin patch and they told her she couldn't get benefits because it was "expected" unemployment. maybe it depends on the type of seasonal work?

I worked seasonal retail last year and collected unemployment between seasons with no issues. Filed online and got my first payment within two weeks. The key is filing immediately after your last day of work.

Make sure you understand the job search requirements too. You'll need to log your work search activities and be registered with WorkSource. Some seasonal workers think they can just wait for their next season to start, but that's not how it works.

The Washington ESD website has a whole section about this but it's buried in their FAQ. Seasonal workers are definitely eligible if they meet the basic requirements - sufficient wages, able and available for work, and actively seeking employment.

ugh the washington esd system is so confusing. i work at a golf course that closes in winter and ive been trying to figure this out for weeks. every time i call i get different information from different agents!

I've been doing seasonal work for 5 years and collect unemployment every off-season. The process is straightforward once you understand it. File immediately after your last day, register with WorkSource, and do your weekly job search. Never had any issues.

One thing to watch out for - if your seasonal employer paid into unemployment insurance. Some agricultural and seasonal employers are exempt from paying UI taxes, which would make you ineligible for benefits from that employment.

honestly just file and see what happens. worst case they deny you and you appeal if you think they're wrong. better than sitting around wondering about it

My brother works construction which is basically seasonal and he gets benefits every winter. As long as you worked enough hours and earned enough money, being seasonal shouldn't matter. Washington is pretty good about supporting workers between jobs.

I tried calling Washington ESD about this exact question last week and finally got through after using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. The agent confirmed that seasonal workers are absolutely eligible for unemployment benefits. The key is meeting the wage requirements and being available for work.

Just a heads up - make sure you report any vacation pay or severance pay you might have received when your seasonal job ended. That could affect your benefits for the first few weeks.

The timing of when you file can also matter. If you file too early before your last day of work, it can delay your claim. Wait until after your actual last day to submit your application.

I was in a similar situation last year working seasonal jobs. One thing that helped me was keeping detailed records of my work search activities from day one - Washington ESD can ask for this information at any time during your claim. Also, don't be discouraged if your first payment takes a few weeks. There's usually a waiting period for the first week, and processing can be slow during peak filing times. With your $18k in earnings, you should definitely qualify. Good luck with everything!

Just wanted to add that Washington state actually has pretty clear guidelines for seasonal workers - you're definitely eligible as long as you meet the basic requirements. I've been doing seasonal work (summer camp counselor and winter retail) for three years now and file for benefits during my gap periods without any issues. The $18k you earned should easily qualify you for benefits. One tip: when you file online, there's a section where you can explain your work pattern - mention that you do seasonal work but are actively seeking temporary employment during the off-season. This helps establish that you're genuinely available for work and not just waiting around for your next seasonal position. Also, don't stress too much about the phone system - the online filing process is actually pretty straightforward and you can usually get everything done without having to call.