Can you get Washington ESD unemployment if you haven't worked 5 years?

The work requirement isn't about continuous employment over 5 years. Washington ESD looks at your base year earnings - basically the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. You need to have earned wages in at least 2 quarters and meet minimum earnings thresholds. Even part-time work counts if you paid into the UI system.

i was in a similar situation and still qualified. you just need to show you were working and paying into unemployment insurance recently, not that you've been working non-stop for years

I had a gap in employment too and was worried about qualifying. The key is that Washington ESD looks at your earnings history in specific quarters, not whether you've been continuously employed. If you worked part-time jobs and had employers who paid unemployment taxes on your behalf, those wages should count toward your eligibility. You can check your wage history online through your SecureAccess Washington account.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to ask about my eligibility but their phone system is impossible. Every time I call I either get a busy signal or get disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. Has anyone found a better way to actually talk to someone there?

THE WASHINGTON ESD SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! I've been trying to figure out my eligibility for months and can't get a straight answer from anyone. The website is confusing and the phone lines are useless. How are people supposed to navigate this nightmare?

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses. It sounds like I might actually qualify even with my work gaps. Does anyone know what the minimum earnings requirement is for Washington ESD?

I was unemployed for 3 years and still qualified when I finally applied. The work history requirement isn't as strict as people think. They just want to see you were recently working and paying into the system.

quick question - if you haven't worked in 5 years, how would you meet the job search requirements? don't you have to be able and available for work?

My sister had a similar situation and Washington ESD told her she qualified based on part-time work from a few years ago. Don't assume you won't qualify until you actually check your wage records and apply.

I hate to be negative but if you haven't worked steadily in 5 years, you might have trouble proving you're actively seeking work. Washington ESD is pretty strict about that requirement now. They want to see you're really trying to find employment, not just collecting benefits.

For what it's worth, I've seen people qualify with much less recent work history than you might think. The key is having enough wages in your base year quarters. Don't let fear stop you from applying if you think you might qualify.

One thing to keep in mind is that even if you don't qualify for regular unemployment, there might be other programs available depending on your situation. WorkSource offices can help you figure out what options you have.

I'm in a similar boat and have been hesitant to apply because I assumed I wouldn't qualify. This thread is making me think I should at least try. Worst case they say no, right?

Just want to add that if you do qualify, make sure you understand all the requirements like filing weekly claims and doing your job search activities. Washington ESD is pretty strict about following all the rules once you're approved.

I actually got through to a Washington ESD representative last week using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. They were able to explain my eligibility over the phone which was way easier than trying to figure it out online. Worth considering if you want to talk to someone directly about your specific situation.

Thanks for starting this thread! I learned a lot from reading everyone's responses. I'm in a similar situation and now feel more confident about applying.

Final tip - if you do apply and get approved, set up direct deposit right away. Paper checks take forever to arrive and can get lost in the mail.