How can I draw unemployment benefits in Washington - eligibility requirements?

You should be eligible since you worked 8 months full-time. In Washington, you need earnings in at least two quarters of your base period to qualify. Go to esd.wa.gov and click 'Apply for Benefits' to start your claim. You'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and reason for separation.

Make sure you have all your employment info ready when you apply. Washington ESD will ask for dates of employment, wages, and why you left each job in the last 18 months. If you were laid off due to lack of work, that's a qualifying separation so you shouldn't have any issues.

I just went through this process last month. After you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to get paid. You'll also need to do job search activities - Washington requires 3 job search contacts per week unless you're in a training program or have a union hiring hall.

The application process is pretty straightforward but can take a while if you have a lot of employment history. Make sure you report the layoff accurately - if Washington ESD thinks you quit or were fired for misconduct, they'll deny your claim and you'll have to appeal.

ugh the whole system is so confusing for first timers. I remember being overwhelmed when I first had to file. The good news is once you get through the initial application, the weekly claims are pretty easy - just answer the same questions each week about whether you worked, looked for work, etc.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Washington has a one week waiting period before you can receive benefits, so your first payable week is actually the second week after you file.

Make sure to set up direct deposit when you file - it's way faster than waiting for a check in the mail. I think it takes an extra week or two to get checks versus direct deposit.

The hardest part for me was getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions. Their phone lines are always busy and they don't respond to messages very quickly. That's why I ended up trying Claimyr - it actually worked to get me connected to an agent when I needed help with my adjudication issue.

One thing to watch out for - if you do any work while collecting unemployment, even just a few hours, you have to report it on your weekly claim. Washington ESD will reduce your benefits based on how much you earned that week.

honestly the whole process stressed me out so much when I first did it. There are so many rules and requirements. But once you get into the routine of filing weekly claims and doing your job searches, it becomes second nature.

Pro tip: keep detailed records of everything - your job search activities, any work you do, any payments you receive. Washington ESD can audit your claim randomly and ask for proof of everything you reported.

The weekly claim questions are pretty standard - did you look for work, did you work and earn money, are you able and available for work, did you refuse any job offers. Just answer honestly each week.

Good luck with your claim! The process seems overwhelming at first but it's really not that bad once you get started. Washington's unemployment system is pretty user-friendly compared to some other states.

Just remember that your benefit amount is based on your earnings during your base period, which is usually the first four of the last five completed quarters before you file. So your warehouse wages should count toward your weekly benefit amount.

I had to use Claimyr when my claim got stuck in adjudication for weeks with no explanation. Their service helped me get through to an agent who could actually tell me what was holding up my claim. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person.

Make sure you understand the difference between being laid off and being fired. Layoffs due to lack of work are qualifying separations, but if you were fired for misconduct or performance issues, you might be disqualified from receiving benefits.

The key thing is to file as soon as possible and then stay on top of your weekly claims. Missing even one week can cause issues with your payments. Set a reminder on your phone or calendar to file every week.

One last thing - if your claim gets denied for any reason, don't panic. You have the right to appeal the decision. The appeal process can be confusing but it's definitely worth doing if you think the denial was wrong.

honestly just dive in and start the application. You can always call Washington ESD if you have questions, though like others mentioned, getting through can be tough. The online application walks you through everything step by step.