Do I qualify for unemployment benefits - Washington ESD eligibility check?

You likely qualify based on what you described! Washington ESD has specific requirements but 8 months of full-time work plus 6 months part-time should meet the base period earnings requirement. You need to have earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period, and it sounds like you have that covered. The key is being unemployed through no fault of your own, which a layoff due to restructuring definitely qualifies.

Definitely file your claim ASAP! Even if there are questions about eligibility, it's better to get the process started. I waited too long when I got laid off and regretted it because benefits don't start until after you file. The worst they can say is no, but from what you described, you should qualify. Just make sure you have your employment history and earnings information ready.

I had a similar situation last year - laid off after working retail for about the same amount of time. The hardest part was actually getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about my claim status. I spent weeks trying to call during their busy periods. Finally discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made the whole process so much less stressful when I could actually talk to someone about my eligibility questions.

The basic eligibility requirements are: 1) You must be unemployed through no fault of your own 2) You must have earned sufficient wages during your base period 3) You must be able and available to work 4) You must actively seek work. Your layoff due to restructuring meets requirement #1. For #2, you generally need to have earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period and meet minimum earning thresholds.

ugh the whole system is so confusing! I'm in a similar boat - got let go from my job last month and still trying to figure out if I qualify. The Washington ESD website has so much information but it's hard to understand. Why can't they just have a simple yes/no quiz or something?

One thing to keep in mind - even if you qualify for benefits, there's usually a waiting week before payments start. Also, your weekly benefit amount depends on your earnings during the base period. Washington ESD calculates this automatically once you file your claim and they verify your wage information with your employers.

Don't overthink it - just file your claim online through the Washington ESD website. The system will walk you through the questions and determine if you're eligible based on your answers. You'll need to provide information about your employment history, earnings, and reason for unemployment. If you're approved, you'll need to file weekly claims to continue receiving benefits.

Based on your work history, you should definitely qualify. 14 months of combined employment with a layoff due to restructuring hits all the basic requirements. The main thing is making sure you file correctly and completely. Take your time with the application and double-check all your employment dates and employer information.

I went through this process 6 months ago after getting laid off from my warehouse job. The eligibility determination was pretty straightforward, but I had trouble getting answers when I had questions about my claim status. Regular phone calls to Washington ESD were impossible - always busy or disconnected. That's when someone recommended Claimyr to me. It actually worked - got me connected to an agent who explained my benefit calculation and job search requirements clearly.

Make sure you understand the difference between being 'able and available' for work versus actively seeking work. These are separate requirements. Able and available means you're physically capable of working and not restricted by things like lack of childcare or transportation. Active job search means you're actually looking for and applying to jobs.

One more tip - keep detailed records of everything from day one. Save copies of your initial application, any correspondence from Washington ESD, and especially your job search log. If any issues come up later, having good documentation will save you a lot of headaches.

honestly the washington unemployment system is a nightmare to navigate. took me forever to figure out if i qualified and even longer to actually get benefits. but sounds like you have a pretty clear case - layoff due to restructuring is definitely qualifying. just be prepared for potential delays and keep calling if you run into issues

You mentioned being 24 - just want to make sure you know that age doesn't affect eligibility for regular unemployment benefits. As long as you meet the work and wage requirements, your age isn't a factor. Some people think there are age restrictions but there aren't for standard UI benefits.

Quick question - were you classified as an employee at both jobs or were you an independent contractor at either one? This matters for eligibility because independent contractor work doesn't count toward your base period wages for regular unemployment benefits.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now. Filed my claim two weeks ago and still waiting for a determination. The uncertainty is killing me! At least you're asking the right questions before filing instead of just hoping for the best like I did.

Just to summarize the key points for the original poster: 1) You likely qualify based on your work history and reason for unemployment 2) File your claim as soon as possible online 3) Be prepared to actively search for work and document your activities 4) Keep detailed records of everything 5) Don't be discouraged if the process takes time - unemployment benefits are there to help people in exactly your situation.