Do I qualify for Washington ESD unemployment benefits? Need help understanding requirements

You should definitely qualify based on what you described. Washington ESD looks at your earnings over a 'base period' which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. With 8 months of work at $16/hour for 32 hours weekly, you likely earned enough. The minimum is around $3,400 in your base period and at least $680 in your highest quarter.

definitely file ASAP! i waited too long when i got laid off and it delayed everything. the sooner you apply the better

I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I needed to verify my eligibility last year. Spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. If you run into issues reaching them, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

MAKE SURE you were actually laid off and not fired for cause! If they terminated you for attendance or performance issues, you might be disqualified. 'Restructuring' usually counts as a layoff but Washington ESD will verify with your employer.

You mentioned being 24 - are you a student? If you're enrolled in school that can affect your benefits. Washington ESD has specific rules about students and unemployment.

The base period calculation is key. Since you filed recently, Washington ESD will look at quarters from about a year ago to determine your monetary eligibility. With 8 months of consistent work, you should easily meet the requirements. Your weekly benefit amount will be roughly 3.85% of your highest quarter earnings.

Don't forget you'll need to be actively looking for work and keep a job search log. Washington ESD requires at least 3 job search activities per week. This includes applying for jobs, networking, attending job fairs, etc.

i got denied my first application because i messed up some dates. make sure everything is accurate when you fill it out! they're really picky about details

The Washington ESD system has gotten better since COVID but still has issues. If your claim gets stuck in adjudication, don't panic. It's normal for them to verify employment details, especially for first-time filers.

Just wanted to add that you should file your weekly claims even if your initial claim is still processing. Missing weekly claim filings can cause delays in payment once you're approved.

Based on your work history you should definitely qualify. The hardest part is usually getting through to Washington ESD if you have questions. When I needed help with my claim status, regular calling was hopeless. That Claimyr service mentioned earlier actually worked great for me too - got connected to an agent who explained exactly what was happening with my adjudication.

The system is so broken. I've been waiting 3 weeks for my adjudication to complete and can't get anyone on the phone to explain what's taking so long. At least you're starting fresh and hopefully won't run into the same delays.

You're young so you might not know this, but unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them when you file your return next year. Just something to keep in mind.

quick question - did they give you any severance pay? that might affect when your benefits start

The work search requirement trips up a lot of people. Make sure you understand it before you start collecting. Washington ESD is strict about compliance and can make you pay back benefits if you don't meet the requirements.

Honestly you sound like a perfect candidate for unemployment benefits. Steady work history, laid off through no fault of your own, available and able to work. File as soon as possible and don't stress too much about it.

One more tip - if you get approved, your first payment might take 2-3 weeks after filing your first weekly claim. It's normal and doesn't mean anything is wrong.