Do I qualify for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD?

You might qualify! Washington ESD has specific wage requirements but part-time work can count. You need to have earned enough wages during your 'base year' which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters. For 2025, you need at least $1,320 in your highest quarter and total wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter amount.

You should definitely apply! Based on what you've shared, you likely qualify. Washington ESD looks at your work history over the past 18 months and you need to have earned at least $3,850 in your base year. Since you made $2,800/month for 8 months, that's over $22,000 which is well above the minimum. Being let go due to restructuring is typically considered a qualifying separation, not misconduct.

def file asap!! i waited too long after getting laid off and it delayed my benefits. you have to file within like the first week or two to get backpay. washington esd is pretty good about approving claims if you got laid off vs fired for cause

You definitely meet the earnings requirement. The tricky part is sometimes reaching Washington ESD if you have questions during the process. I spent hours on hold trying to get through to someone when I had issues with my claim. If you run into problems getting connected, there's this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made the whole process much less stressful.

Generally you need to have earned at least $5,265 in your base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters) to qualify for Washington ESD benefits. You also need to be unemployed through no fault of your own, which sounds like your situation since it was budget cuts. The good news is that part-time work counts toward your earnings.

You'll likely qualify based on what you described. Washington ESD looks at your earnings in the base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed). You need at least $1,000 in total earnings during your base period, and earnings in at least 680 hours of work. Your $2,800/month for 8 months should easily meet these requirements.

You should definitely apply! The worst they can say is no. But with 8 months at your last job plus the part-time work before, you probably meet the earnings requirement. Just make sure when you apply that you accurately report the reason for separation - 'lack of work' or 'layoff' should be the right category for budget cuts.

You should definitely apply! Washington ESD looks at your work history over the past 18 months to determine if you have enough wages to qualify. Since you worked 8 months full-time plus 6 months part-time, you likely have enough quarters of coverage. The minimum requirement is usually around $3,500 in your highest quarter.

You'll likely qualify based on what you've described. Washington ESD has specific wage and work requirements - you need to have earned wages in at least two quarters during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). With 8 months of work at $2,100/month, you should meet the minimum wage requirement. Being laid off due to restructuring typically qualifies as 'separation through no fault of your own' which is what you need for UI benefits.

The reduced hours thing is tricky. You can get partial unemployment if your hours were cut through no fault of your own, but you have to report any wages you earn each week when you file your weekly claims.

Just to clarify something - when you say 'restructuring' what exactly happened? Did they eliminate your position entirely or just reduce staff? The reason matters because Washington ESD will verify the separation details with your employer. If it was truly a layoff due to lack of work, you're golden. If there were any performance issues mixed in, it could complicate things.

One thing to remember is that even if you qualify, you'll need to meet the ongoing requirements like doing job searches and filing your weekly claims. Washington ESD requires you to look for work and document it. Don't let that scare you away from applying though - just be prepared for the responsibilities that come with receiving benefits.

You should also know that being laid off due to budget cuts is considered a 'qualifying separation' so you won't have any issues there. If you were fired for misconduct or quit voluntarily, that would be different.

honestly the washington esd system is way better than it used to be. i filed last year and the whole process was pretty smooth. just make sure u answer all the questions honestly and keep track of everything

I went through this process last year and it was pretty straightforward. Just make sure you have all your employer information ready - addresses, dates of employment, reason for separation. Washington ESD will verify everything with your previous employers.

The part-time job definitely counts toward your base period wages. Washington ESD will automatically calculate if you meet the monetary requirements when you file your claim. If you were laid off due to restructuring, that's typically considered a qualifying separation.

I was in a similar situation last year and qualified easily with just 10 months of work history. The application process is pretty straightforward on the Washington ESD website. One thing that helped me was using Claimyr (claimyr.com) when I needed to talk to someone at Washington ESD about my claim. Their phone system is impossible to get through normally, but Claimyr got me connected to an agent who walked me through everything. There's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

You should definitely apply! The worst they can do is say no. And if you have trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions, I just discovered this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach an agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

The basic requirements are pretty straightforward - you need sufficient wages during your base period and you can't have quit or been fired for misconduct. Since you were laid off, that's usually not an issue. Washington ESD will send a separation notice to your employer to verify the reason you left. Make sure you're able and available for work and actively seeking employment once you start receiving benefits.

I was in a similar situation last year and qualified without any issues. The hardest part was actually getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions about my claim. Their phone lines are constantly busy and I spent hours trying to reach someone. If you run into problems contacting them, there's actually a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

Be prepared for the possibility that your claim might go into adjudication, especially since you're a new claimant. This happens when Washington ESD needs to review your eligibility more carefully. It's normal but can add time to the process.

Washington ESD will calculate your weekly benefit amount based on your highest earning quarter during the base period. With your income level, you're probably looking at somewhere around $300-400 per week, but that's just a rough estimate. The exact amount depends on their formula and your specific wage history.

Wait, you said you moved from out of state - did you work in Washington the whole 8 months or did some of that work happen in another state? If you worked in another state recently, you might need to file an interstate claim which is a bit different.

I had a similar situation last year and qualified with just 7 months of work. The key is having enough wages in your base period. Since you were laid off and didn't quit or get fired for misconduct, you should be fine. Just make sure to file your weekly claims on time once you're approved.

don't forget you'll also need to meet the job search requirements once you start receiving benefits. i think it's 3 job contacts per week now but double check that

also you need to be able and available for work and actively looking for jobs. they make you keep a job search log now showing you applied to at least 3 jobs per week

Just apply! The worst they can do is deny you, but from what you've described you should qualify easily. I was worried about the same thing when I got laid off from my warehouse job and I qualified without any problems.

The Washington ESD system is so confusing! I applied last year and it took me forever to figure out if I qualified. Had to go through this whole adjudication process because they weren't sure about my work history. Ended up waiting like 6 weeks to get approved.

I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions about my eligibility. Their phone lines are always busy. I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made the whole process much easier.

One thing to watch out for - make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if your claim is still being processed. I made the mistake of thinking I didn't need to file until my claim was approved and it delayed my payments by several weeks. Washington ESD doesn't pay retroactively for weeks you don't file.

dude just file it! worst case they say no but at least you tried. i was worried about stupid stuff too and ended up getting approved no problem

Wait, you can actually get through to Washington ESD by phone? I've been trying for weeks and can never get past the busy signal!

Based on what you've described, you should definitely qualify. Eight months of full-time work at $2,200/month puts you well above the minimum wage requirements. The part-time work is just extra that helps your case. File your claim as soon as possible since there's a waiting week.

The qualification requirements aren't that complicated. You need sufficient earnings in your base period, you need to be unemployed through no fault of your own (which you are), and you need to be able and available for work. Since you're actively looking into this, you clearly meet the last requirement.

Also be prepared for potential adjudication if there are any questions about your separation. Washington ESD might need to investigate the circumstances of your layoff, which can delay your first payment. This is normal and doesn't mean you won't qualify - it just takes extra time to process.

Don't forget you also can't have quit your job or been fired for misconduct. If your hours were cut that's usually considered a layoff which is good for unemployment purposes.

ugh the whole UI system is such a pain. took me 3 tries to get my application submitted correctly because the website kept timing out

Don't forget that once you're approved, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to continue receiving benefits. You'll also need to be actively looking for work and meet the job search requirements.

To directly answer your question about whether you should bother applying - absolutely yes. Your situation is textbook qualifying: involuntary separation due to lack of work, sufficient earnings history, and no misconduct issues. The Washington ESD application is actually pretty straightforward once you get started. Just gather your employment information and be honest about everything.

Just wanted to add that your weekly benefit amount will be based on your earnings during the base period. With your income level, you should receive a decent amount, but it won't be your full salary obviously.

Don't overthink it - just apply! The worst they can say is no, but from what you've described you should qualify easily. I was in almost the exact same situation and got approved within a week.

ugh the washington esd system is such a pain. took me forever to get through their phone lines when i had questions about my claim. ended up having to call like 50+ times over 2 weeks

Make sure you have all your employer information ready when you file. You'll need company names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation. If you were laid off due to restructuring, that's a non-fault separation and shouldn't cause any issues.

ugh the washington esd system is so confusing. i tried to apply last month and kept getting error messages. finally got through but then my claim got stuck in adjudication for like 3 weeks

The Washington ESD website has a good benefits calculator that can give you an estimate of your weekly benefit amount before you apply. Might be worth checking out to get a better idea of what to expect financially.

Speaking of getting through on the phone, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really saved me a lot of frustration. Instead of redial, redial, busy signal all day, they handled the calling and I just got a callback when an agent was available. Made dealing with Washington ESD so much easier.

I was in a similar situation - part time retail with reduced hours. Got approved for partial unemployment and it really helped bridge the gap while I looked for something better. The key is being honest about everything and documenting your hours reduction.

also make sure you have all your employment info ready - dates of employment, employer contact info, reason for separation, etc. they ask for a lot of details

One thing that tripped me up was the waiting week. You don't get paid for your first week of unemployment even if you're approved. So factor that into your budget.

The good news is if you've been working steadily for 8 months you probably meet the wage requirements. Washington's requirements aren't as strict as some states.

Update: I filed my claim this morning and it looks like everything went through! Now I just have to wait for the determination. Thanks everyone for the help and encouragement.

Don't forget you'll need to register with WorkSource Washington as part of the job search requirements. They'll explain this during the application process but it's another step you'll need to complete.

Quick tip - when you file, have your Social Security number, previous employer info, and dates of employment ready. The system will ask for all of that upfront. Also make sure to file your weekly claims on time every week once you're approved or you'll miss out on benefits for those weeks.

Just wanted to add that if you do have trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone (which is unfortunately common), that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier really does work. I used it a few months ago when I needed to speak to someone about my job search requirements and got through in about 10 minutes instead of spending hours trying to call.

Just apply online at esd.wa.gov. The application walks you through everything and will tell you if you qualify based on your wage history. No point in guessing when you can get a real answer.

Glad you got your claim filed! Based on your work history, I'd be surprised if you don't get approved. The 8 months of full-time work plus the part-time job should put you well over the minimum requirements for Washington ESD benefits.

Just remember that if you do get approved, you'll need to file weekly claims every week and do job search activities. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week, and you need to keep records of what you did.

Honestly the hardest part about unemployment isn't qualifying, it's dealing with all the weekly requirements and staying on top of everything. But it sounds like you're already being proactive about it which is good.

If your claim does get approved, remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can have taxes withheld from your payments or you'll need to pay them when you file your return next year.

I'm actually thinking about trying that Claimyr thing that was mentioned earlier. My claim has been pending for 2 weeks and I can't get through to find out what's going on. Has anyone else used it successfully?

The system can be frustrating but it usually works out in the end. Just stay patient and keep filing your weekly claims. Most people who qualify do end up getting approved, it just sometimes takes longer than you'd like.

One more tip - if you do get approved, your benefit amount will be based on your wages during your base period. With 8 months of full-time work at $2,200/month, you should get a decent weekly benefit amount.

You're in a good position with your work history. Being laid off due to restructuring is a clear non-fault separation, and 8 months of steady employment shows you're attached to the workforce. Those are the main things Washington ESD looks for when determining eligibility.

Good luck with your claim! It sounds like you have everything in order. Just remember to be patient with the process and don't hesitate to follow up if things seem to be taking too long.

Final piece of advice - save the confirmation number from when you filed your claim. You'll need it if you have to call Washington ESD about your claim status. And seriously, if you do need to call them, consider using that Claimyr service. It saved me hours of frustration.

Something to keep in mind - unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or handle it yourself when you file your tax return. Just don't forget about this come tax time next year!

Washington ESD has been pretty good about processing claims lately compared to how backed up they were during the pandemic. You should hear back about your eligibility within a couple weeks if there are no complications with your case.

Make sure you keep all your documentation from your employer about the layoff - final paystub, any termination paperwork, etc. Washington ESD might ask for this information and it's good to have it ready.

One last thing - once you start receiving benefits, report any work or earnings immediately. Even small amounts of work can affect your weekly benefit amount, and Washington ESD takes fraud very seriously. It's better to over-report than under-report.

Good luck with your application! Based on everything you've described, you should qualify without any issues. The system might seem overwhelming at first but it's pretty straightforward once you get started.

The Washington ESD website has gotten much better over the years. There's a really helpful eligibility tool that walks you through the requirements. But honestly, from what you've described, you clearly qualify. Eight months of steady work and an involuntary layoff is exactly what unemployment insurance is designed for.

just wanted to add that if you do run into issues during the process, don't give up. sometimes claims get stuck in adjudication if washington esd needs to verify something with your employer. if that happens and you can't get through on the phone, that claimyr service someone mentioned earlier actually worked for me too. got connected to an agent in like 15 minutes instead of calling for hours

One more thing - make sure you apply for benefits in the state where you worked, not where you live. Since you worked in Washington, you'll file with Washington ESD even if you live near the border or something. Seems obvious but some people get confused about that.

The fact that you're asking these questions shows you're being responsible about the process. Washington ESD appreciates when people understand their obligations. You'll do fine - just file the claim and follow the requirements. The benefits will really help while you're looking for your next job.

btw if you get approved make sure to set up direct deposit. getting a debit card in the mail takes forever and direct deposit is so much faster

Hope this thread helped answer your question! Sounds like you have a solid case for benefits. The restaurant industry has been tough lately so don't feel bad about needing to file. That's exactly what the system is there for.

Good luck with your claim! Based on everything you've shared, I'd be surprised if you didn't get approved. Just remember to keep looking for work and document your job search activities. The benefits should help bridge the gap until you find something new.

This has been a great discussion! For anyone else reading this who's in a similar situation - don't be afraid to apply. The worst they can say is no, but if you were laid off and have a decent work history, you'll probably qualify. Washington ESD is pretty fair about these things.

hope it works out for you! retail hours are so unpredictable these days

You should also look into whether your employer has to give you advance notice of hour reductions. Some places are supposed to but don't.

One more tip - when you do your weekly claims, be very accurate about reporting your earnings. They cross-check with employers and any discrepancies can cause problems later.

The whole process seems overwhelming at first but it's really not that complicated once you get started. The application explains most things as you go.

i was worried about the same thing when i applied. turns out part time work totally counts as long as you made enough money overall

definitely apply sooner rather than later. benefits are calculated from when you apply, not when your hours got cut

And seriously, if you need to contact Washington ESD for any reason during the process, save yourself the headache and check out that Claimyr service. I used it when I had questions about my claim status and actually got through to a real person. Way better than the endless hold times.

Good luck with your application! Sounds like you have a solid chance of qualifying based on what you've described.

The system is pretty overwhelming at first but once you get the hang of it, it's not too bad. Just make sure to read all the instructions carefully and don't miss any deadlines.

I'm in a similar situation but I was only at my job for 4 months. Do you think I'll qualify too?

Washington ESD's website has a lot of good information about eligibility requirements. I'd recommend reading through their FAQ section before applying.

One thing to keep in mind - make sure you apply as soon as possible. There's a waiting period before benefits start, and you can't get benefits for weeks before you actually file your claim.

Make sure you have your bank account information ready for direct deposit. It's much faster than waiting for checks in the mail.

The Washington ESD system can be confusing at first, but their customer service is actually pretty helpful if you can get through to them. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Just remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income, so you might want to consider having taxes withheld from your benefits to avoid a big tax bill later.

Based on what you've described, you should definitely qualify. The key is to apply soon and be prepared to provide documentation if requested. Good luck!

Don't get discouraged if the process takes longer than expected. Washington ESD has been dealing with high volumes, so things sometimes move slowly.

One more thing - make sure you understand the difference between being 'able and available' for work versus being on standby. It affects your weekly claims.

The whole process seems overwhelming at first, but once you get started it becomes routine. Just take it one step at a time.

If you run into any issues during the application process or need to speak with someone at Washington ESD about your eligibility, don't hesitate to reach out for help. Whether it's through their regular phone lines or services like Claimyr, getting your questions answered is important.

Good luck with your application! Remember to keep records of everything and don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it.

Just apply online and see what happens. The system will tell you if you qualify or not. I got approved with way less work history than you have, so you should be fine.

Based on what you've described, you should definitely qualify. Eight months of full-time work plus part-time work before that should put you well over the minimum earnings threshold. The key things Washington ESD looks for are: 1) Sufficient earnings in base period, 2) Job separation not your fault, 3) Able and available for work. You seem to check all those boxes.

I qualified with similar work history last year. The process was actually easier than I expected. Just be honest about everything and don't overthink it.

Word of advice - if you do run into any issues or questions after you apply, don't waste time trying to call Washington ESD directly. I spent literally days trying to get through. A friend told me about this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach an agent. Game changer.

Sounds like you definitely qualify! The hardest part might be dealing with Washington ESD's phone system if you need help later. But for now just focus on getting your application submitted.

yeah you should be good to go. washington's pretty generous with UI benefits compared to other states

The earnings requirement is usually the biggest hurdle and you've got that covered with 8+ months of work. Being laid off due to budget cuts is exactly the kind of situation unemployment insurance is designed for.

Quick tip: when you file your weekly claims, be very careful about reporting any work or income accurately. Even small mistakes can cause issues later.

From what you've described, you meet all the basic requirements. The main things that would disqualify you are things like being fired for misconduct or quitting without good cause, and that's clearly not your situation.

You should absolutely apply. Even if there was some question about eligibility, it's better to apply and find out than to not apply and miss out on benefits you're entitled to.

Just wanted to add that if your claim does go into adjudication for any reason, don't panic. It's pretty common and usually resolves within a few weeks. That's when having a way to actually talk to Washington ESD becomes really valuable.

Bottom line: apply as soon as possible, be honest and accurate with all your information, and don't stress too much about it. You sound like a textbook case for approval.