Denied Washington ESD unemployment - I don't qualify for unemployment now what are my options?
Just got my determination letter from Washington ESD saying I don't qualify for regular unemployment benefits. They said I didn't earn enough in my base period - only worked part-time for 8 months last year at $14/hour. The letter mentions something about recomputing with an alternate base period but I'm not sure what that means or if it would even help. I'm completely lost on what to do next. Are there other programs I might qualify for? Should I appeal this decision? I really need some kind of income assistance while I look for full-time work.
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Sean Kelly
You should definitely request the alternate base period calculation! Instead of using the first 4 quarters of the last 5 completed quarters, they'll use the last 4 completed quarters. If you worked more recently or had higher earnings in more recent quarters, this could make you eligible. You can request this through your SecureAccess Washington account or by calling Washington ESD.
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StellarSurfer
•How do I request that? Do I need to file a new application or just call them?
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Sean Kelly
•You can request it online through your account or call the claims center. Don't file a new application - just request the alternate base period review on your existing claim.
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Zara Malik
same situation happened to me earlier this year... the alternate base period thing actually worked and I got approved! took about 2 weeks for them to recalculate everything
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StellarSurfer
•That gives me hope! Did you have to provide any additional documentation when you requested it?
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Zara Malik
•nope they already had all my wage info from employers. just had to request the recalculation and wait
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Luca Greco
If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to request the alternate base period, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me actually reach an agent. They have a system that calls for you and gets you connected - way better than spending hours on hold. Check out claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really saved me a lot of frustration when I needed to get my claim issues resolved.
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Nia Thompson
•Is that legit? Sounds too good to be true with how impossible it is to reach anyone at Washington ESD.
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Luca Greco
•Yeah it's real - I was skeptical too but it actually worked. They don't ask for your personal info, just call the number for you and connect you when an agent picks up.
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Mateo Rodriguez
Also look into other assistance programs while you're waiting. WorkFirst might have cash assistance available, and you could qualify for SNAP benefits. The DSHS website has applications for both. Don't put all your eggs in the unemployment basket.
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StellarSurfer
•I hadn't thought of that. Are there income limits for those programs?
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Mateo Rodriguez
•Yes there are income and asset limits but if you're not working or working very part-time you might qualify. Worth applying to see.
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Aisha Hussain
The whole system is so confusing! Why don't they automatically check the alternate base period if the regular one doesn't work??
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Sean Kelly
•It's bureaucracy at its finest. They make you jump through hoops for everything instead of just doing what makes sense.
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GalacticGladiator
•probably costs them money so they hope people don't know to ask for it
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Ethan Brown
Wait, I'm confused about something. If you didn't qualify for regular UI benefits, could you potentially qualify for any federal programs? Or is Washington state pretty much your only option?
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Sean Kelly
•The pandemic programs like PUA ended in 2021. For unemployment benefits you have to go through your state - there aren't federal unemployment programs anymore.
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Ethan Brown
•Got it, thanks for clarifying that. I was thinking there might still be some COVID-era stuff available.
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Yuki Yamamoto
I work for a nonprofit that helps people with benefit applications. Definitely try the alternate base period first, but also consider filing for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) through DSHS if you have dependents, or Basic Food assistance. The application process is much easier than unemployment and you can apply online.
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StellarSurfer
•I don't have kids so I probably don't qualify for TANF right? But I could look into food assistance.
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Yuki Yamamoto
•Correct, TANF requires dependent children. But Basic Food (SNAP) you can get as a single person if your income is low enough.
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Carmen Ruiz
This is exactly why I tell everyone to document EVERYTHING when they're working. Keep your pay stubs, keep track of your hours. The system is set up to deny you first and make you fight for what you deserve.
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StellarSurfer
•Yeah I learned that lesson the hard way. I have most of my recent pay stubs but not everything from early last year.
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Carmen Ruiz
•For the alternate base period you shouldn't need to provide pay stubs - Washington ESD gets wage reports directly from employers. But good to have them for your records anyway.
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Andre Lefebvre
honestly the phone system at Washington ESD is such a nightmare. I spent literally 6 hours one day trying to get through and kept getting hung up on. That Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier might be worth trying if you need to call them about the alternate base period.
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StellarSurfer
•Yeah I'm dreading having to call them. The automated system is so confusing and I can never get to a real person.
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Zoe Dimitriou
•I used Claimyr last month when I needed to talk to someone about my job search requirements. Worth every penny to not sit on hold for hours.
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QuantumQuest
One thing to keep in mind - even if the alternate base period doesn't work, you can appeal the decision. You have 30 days from the date on your determination letter to file an appeal. Sometimes there are errors in how they calculated your wages or base period.
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StellarSurfer
•How complicated is the appeal process? Do I need a lawyer or anything?
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QuantumQuest
•You don't need a lawyer for most unemployment appeals. You can represent yourself and just explain why you think the decision was wrong. The hearing is usually done by phone.
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Jamal Anderson
also check if your employer incorrectly reported your wages or if there are missing quarters. I had a situation where one of my employers never reported my wages properly and that's why I got denied initially
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StellarSurfer
•How do I check that? Is there a way to see what wages they have on file for me?
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Jamal Anderson
•you can request a wage transcript from Washington ESD that shows all the wages reported by employers. if something's missing you can contact the employer to get it corrected
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Mei Zhang
Don't give up! I got denied twice before finally getting approved. The first time was the base period issue, second time was some technical thing about my separation from my last job. Keep fighting the system.
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StellarSurfer
•Wow that sounds exhausting but glad you eventually got it figured out. How long did the whole process take?
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Mei Zhang
•About 3 months total from my first application to finally getting benefits. It was frustrating but worth it in the end.
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Liam McGuire
Look into local food banks and community resources too while you're dealing with this. Most don't have income requirements and can help bridge the gap while you sort out the benefits situation.
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StellarSurfer
•Good point, I should probably swallow my pride and look into that. Do you know how to find local food banks?
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Liam McGuire
•211 is a great resource - you can call 2-1-1 or visit wa211.org to find food assistance and other services in your area.
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Amara Eze
This whole thread is making me realize how many people get denied initially. It seems like Washington ESD's default is to say no and make you jump through hoops to get what you're entitled to.
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Carmen Ruiz
•That's exactly what it is. They save money by denying people who don't know to fight back or don't have the time/energy to appeal.
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Giovanni Ricci
•It's really unfair to people who are already stressed about losing their job and need help the most.
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NeonNomad
Just wanted to add - if you do get approved eventually, they'll pay you retroactively from when you first filed. So don't think you've lost those weeks, you'll get backpay for them.
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StellarSurfer
•That's good to know! I was worried I'd lost those weeks forever.
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NeonNomad
•Nope, as long as you keep filing your weekly claims even while the issue is being resolved, you'll get paid for all of them once it's approved.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
Has anyone tried contacting their state representative about Washington ESD issues? I'm wondering if that helps get things moving faster.
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Dylan Mitchell
•I actually did that when my claim was stuck in adjudication for 2 months. My rep's office contacted Washington ESD and I got a call back within a week.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
•Really? That's good to know for future reference. Sometimes you need to get political pressure involved.
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Sofia Martinez
The most important thing is don't stop filing weekly claims even if you're denied. Keep certifying every week so if you do get approved later, you don't lose any benefit weeks.
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StellarSurfer
•Wait, I can still file weekly claims even though I was denied? I thought I couldn't do anything until this gets resolved.
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Sofia Martinez
•Yes! Keep filing every week. It protects your right to those weeks if your denial gets overturned through alternate base period or appeal.
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Dmitry Volkov
This is all such helpful information. I wish Washington ESD would explain these options better in their denial letters instead of just saying 'you don't qualify' and leaving people hanging.
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Sean Kelly
•Agreed! The letters are so brief and don't explain what your options are. You have to dig around to find out about alternate base periods and appeals.
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StellarSurfer
•Exactly! If I hadn't found this thread I would have just given up and assumed I was out of luck.
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Ava Thompson
One more resource - WorkSource has career counselors who can help you with job search strategies and sometimes connect you to training programs that might come with financial assistance while you're learning new skills.
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StellarSurfer
•That sounds promising. Are those services free?
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Ava Thompson
•Yes, WorkSource services are free. You can find your local office on the WorkSourceWA website and they have online services too.
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CyberSiren
Thanks everyone for all this advice! I'm going to start with requesting the alternate base period calculation and see what happens. If that doesn't work I'll look into the appeal process and other assistance programs. Really appreciate all the help!
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Sean Kelly
•Good luck! Keep us posted on how it goes. Hopefully the alternate base period works out for you.
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Luca Greco
•And remember if you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD, that Claimyr service can save you a lot of time and frustration with the phone system.
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Miguel Alvarez
•Yes, definitely update us! Your situation will probably help other people who find this thread later.
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