How do I get approved for unemployment benefits in Washington state?

What's the base period earnings requirement? I worked full time for about 8 months before getting laid off.

You need wages in at least two quarters of your base period. 8 months should be fine as long as you earned enough. Check your online account after filing to see your monetary determination.

Thanks! Did you have any issues with the application process?

nah just make sure you have your social security number and employer info ready

What counts as 'actively searching for work'? Do I need to apply to a certain number of jobs each week?

Yes, you need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a detailed log. This includes applications, networking, attending job fairs, etc. You'll report this when filing your weekly claims.

Wait I thought it was 2 job contacts per week? Or did they change it again?

It's been 3 per week since 2021. Some people qualify for reduced requirements if they're in certain programs or have return-to-work dates.

How much does that service cost? I'm already tight on money.

It was worth it for me to get my questions answered quickly rather than wasting days calling. Much cheaper than losing weeks of benefits due to confusion about the process.

Interesting, never heard of that before. Might be useful if I run into issues with my claim.

I was laid off due to company restructuring, so that should be okay right?

Yes, that's exactly the type of separation that qualifies. Just be honest about the reason when you file.

What did you mess up? I want to avoid the same mistakes.

dates mostly. make sure your last day worked matches exactly what your employer will report or youll get flagged for adjudication

This is crucial advice. Any discrepancies in dates or wages will trigger a review that can delay your benefits for weeks.

Good to know! How do you file the weekly claims?

same website, just log in every week and answer the questions about job search activities and any work you did

Is that a separate website from the Washington ESD site?

Yes, it's worksourcewa.com. You'll create a profile there and can use it to search for jobs and track your job search activities.

It can seem that way, but most people do get approved if they follow the rules and provide accurate information. The key is being thorough and honest in your application.

maybe but ive seen too many people get screwed over by technicalities

That's smart. What kind of job search records should I keep?

Company name, position applied for, date, method of contact, and any follow-up actions. Washington ESD can audit your job search log so be specific.

Did you have to give them all your personal info to use it?

No, it's just a callback service. They connect you to Washington ESD directly, you don't give them any claim information.

Thanks for mentioning that. I was wondering about the timeline for payments.

Yeah the waiting can be stressful when you need the money. Just keep filing your weekly claims and be patient.

How do they contact you about ID verification?

through your esd account inbox mostly. check it regularly dont just wait for emails

What causes claims to go to adjudication usually?

Common reasons include discrepancies in work history, questions about why you left your job, or if you worked in multiple states. It's just part of their verification process.

Mine went to adjudication because my employer disputed the reason I left. Took 3 weeks but eventually got approved when I provided documentation.

Good luck! Feel free to ask if you run into any specific issues during the process.

you got this! the hardest part is just getting started

My employer said they might call me back when business picks up, but no definite date. Does that qualify?

Probably not without a specific date. You'd still need to do the regular job search activities. But ask Washington ESD directly if you're unsure.

Good point. I might pick up some gig work while looking for full-time employment.

Just be honest about all earnings. Washington ESD has ways of finding out about unreported income and the penalties aren't worth it.

It was a small company so no union, but I'll ask about any assistance programs they might know about.

I might need to try that if I run into issues. The phone system seems impossible to navigate.

Yeah, it's frustrating how hard it is to reach them normally. This service actually works though - got connected in under 10 minutes when I tried it.

Thank you! Really appreciate all the helpful advice from everyone here.