Do you qualify for unemployment - Washington ESD eligibility questions
I'm really confused about whether I qualify for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD. I got laid off from my retail job last month after working there for 8 months, but before that I was only working part-time at a restaurant for like 6 months. I've been reading the Washington ESD website but it's so confusing with all the wage requirements and base period stuff. Does anyone know if you need to work full-time to qualify? And what's this about needing to earn a certain amount? I'm worried I might not have worked long enough or made enough money to get benefits.
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Keisha Johnson
You don't need to work full-time to qualify for Washington ESD unemployment benefits. The key things are: 1) You need to have earned at least $1,000 in your base period, 2) Your total base period wages need to be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings, and 3) You need to have worked in at least 2 quarters of your base period. Your base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed.
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Yara Sabbagh
•Thanks! What exactly counts as a quarter though? Like January-March is one quarter?
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Keisha Johnson
•Yes exactly - Q1 is Jan-Mar, Q2 is Apr-Jun, Q3 is Jul-Sep, Q4 is Oct-Dec. Washington ESD looks at your wages from all covered employers during those periods.
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Paolo Rizzo
I had a similar situation and it took forever to get through to Washington ESD to check if I qualified. The online eligibility tool on their website isn't very helpful either.
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QuantumQuest
•ugh same here, I've been trying to call for weeks
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Amina Sy
•You guys should try Claimyr - it's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. I used it when I couldn't reach anyone and it actually worked. Check out claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.
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Paolo Rizzo
•Is that legit? Sounds too good to be true
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Amina Sy
•Yeah it's real, they basically call on your behalf and get you connected to an actual person at Washington ESD. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.
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Oliver Fischer
The part-time work actually helps you! Washington ESD counts wages from ALL your jobs during the base period. So your restaurant wages plus your retail job wages would be combined to see if you meet the requirements.
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Yara Sabbagh
•Oh really? I didn't know they combined everything. That makes me feel more hopeful.
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Natasha Petrova
•Just make sure both jobs were covered employment - most regular jobs are but some independent contractor work isn't.
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Javier Morales
Don't forget you also have to be able and available for work and actively seeking employment. Washington ESD has specific job search requirements you need to meet each week.
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Yara Sabbagh
•What kind of job search requirements?
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Javier Morales
•You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log. They can audit this so make sure you're documenting everything properly.
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Emma Davis
•And register with WorkSourceWA if you haven't already - that's required too.
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QuantumQuest
I'm in almost the exact same boat as you OP. Worked part time for a year then got a full time job for 6 months before getting laid off. Still waiting to hear back from Washington ESD about my claim status.
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Yara Sabbagh
•How long have you been waiting? I'm scared to even apply if it's going to take forever.
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QuantumQuest
•It's been 3 weeks so far, my claim is in adjudication. They're reviewing my work history I think.
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Keisha Johnson
OP, you should definitely apply. Based on what you described (8 months retail + 6 months restaurant), you likely have enough work history. The worst they can say is no, but you won't know until you try. The Washington ESD application process is pretty straightforward online.
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Yara Sabbagh
•Do I need to have all my pay stubs and stuff before I apply?
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Keisha Johnson
•Not necessarily to start the application, but have your employer information ready (names, addresses, dates of employment). Washington ESD will verify wages with employers directly.
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Natasha Petrova
Also make sure you weren't fired for misconduct or didn't quit without good cause. Those can disqualify you even if you meet the wage requirements.
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Yara Sabbagh
•I was laid off due to lack of work, so that should be fine right?
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Natasha Petrova
•Yes, layoffs due to lack of work are typically eligible. Just be honest about the circumstances when you apply.
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Paolo Rizzo
Quick question - does anyone know if you can work part-time while collecting unemployment? I might be able to get some weekend shifts.
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Keisha Johnson
•Yes but you have to report all earnings on your weekly claim. Washington ESD will reduce your benefits based on how much you earn, but you can still receive partial benefits.
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Oliver Fischer
•There's a formula they use - I think you can earn up to about 1/3 of your weekly benefit amount without any reduction, then they start deducting.
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Emma Davis
The eligibility requirements aren't that complicated once you understand them. Washington ESD basically wants to see that you had steady work and earned enough wages to justify paying benefits.
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Yara Sabbagh
•I guess I just need to bite the bullet and apply then. Thanks everyone for the help!
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Amina Sy
If you do apply and run into issues reaching Washington ESD for questions, definitely consider using Claimyr. I was stuck in limbo for weeks trying to get answers about my claim and they got me through to someone in like 20 minutes.
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QuantumQuest
•How much does it cost?
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Amina Sy
•I don't want to get into pricing here but it was worth it for me to get my claim sorted out quickly instead of losing weeks of benefits.
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Javier Morales
Remember that even if you qualify, there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start. And make sure you file your weekly claims every week even while your initial claim is being processed.
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Yara Sabbagh
•Wait, you have to file weekly claims before you're even approved?
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Javier Morales
•Yes, you need to file for every week you want to claim benefits for, even if your initial claim is still pending. Otherwise you could lose those weeks.
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Natasha Petrova
The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator tool that can give you an estimate of what you might receive if you qualify. Might be worth checking out.
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Yara Sabbagh
•I'll look for that, thanks!
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Oliver Fischer
•Just remember the calculator is only an estimate. Your actual benefit amount depends on Washington ESD's review of your wage records.
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GalaxyGlider
good luck OP! I was in your shoes last year and ended up qualifying even though I thought I wouldn't. The process is nerve-wracking but it's worth applying.
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Yara Sabbagh
•Thanks for the encouragement! I'm going to start my application tonight.
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Keisha Johnson
One last tip - make sure you have your Social Security card and ID ready when you apply. Washington ESD is pretty strict about identity verification these days.
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Yara Sabbagh
•Got it, I'll make sure I have everything ready. You all have been super helpful!
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Paolo Rizzo
Let us know how it goes OP! And don't get discouraged if there are hiccups - the Washington ESD system can be frustrating but most people do get their benefits eventually.
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Yara Sabbagh
•Will do! Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly.
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Amina Sy
•And remember, if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD and can't get through, there are services like Claimyr that can help. Sometimes it's worth it to get professional help navigating the system.
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QuantumQuest
This thread has been really helpful for me too. I feel like I understand the requirements better now.
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Emma Davis
•That's what this forum is for! We're all trying to figure out this unemployment stuff together.
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Javier Morales
Just to summarize for anyone else reading this: 1) You need sufficient wages in your base period, 2) You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, 3) You must be able and available for work, 4) You must actively seek work. If you meet these, you should qualify for Washington ESD benefits.
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Natasha Petrova
•Perfect summary! Those are the four main eligibility criteria that Washington ESD looks at.
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Yara Sabbagh
•This is really helpful to have it all laid out like that. Thank you!
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Oliver Fischer
Don't overthink it too much OP. Most people who work regularly and get laid off through no fault of their own will qualify. The Washington ESD system exists to help people in exactly your situation.
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Yara Sabbagh
•You're right, I was probably overthinking it. Thanks for the reassurance!
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GalaxyGlider
Good thread everyone! Always nice to see people helping each other navigate the Washington ESD system. It can be confusing but there are resources and people willing to help.
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Keisha Johnson
•Agreed! And remember OP, even if your first application gets denied for some reason, you can always appeal. Don't give up if you truly believe you qualify.
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Yara Sabbagh
•Thanks everyone! I really appreciate all the help and support. Going to start my application now.
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Amina Sy
One final reminder - if you get stuck anywhere in the process and need to speak with a Washington ESD representative, don't waste hours on hold. Services like Claimyr (claimyr.com) can get you connected much faster. There's even a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Sometimes it's worth getting professional help to move things along.
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Emma Davis
•Good point. Time is money when you're unemployed, so anything that speeds up the process is probably worth considering.
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