How do u qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington - basic requirements?

You need to meet Washington ESD's base year earnings requirements first - basically you need sufficient wages in your base year (first 4 of last 5 completed calendar quarters). The minimum is usually around $3,500 in your highest quarter and at least $4,500 total in your base year. You also have to be unemployed through no fault of your own, able and available to work, and actively seeking work.

The job search requirement is 3 job search activities per week once you start receiving benefits. You log these in WorkSourceWA and they can audit your search activities. Make sure you keep detailed records of where you applied, when, and any responses you got.

Just went through this process myself last month. The application on Washington ESD's website is pretty straightforward but be prepared for potential delays. My claim got stuck in adjudication for almost 3 weeks because they needed to verify my separation reason with my employer. If you run into issues getting through to them by phone, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach a live agent - claimyr.com. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

make sure u file ur weekly claims every week even if ur claim is still pending!! i missed filing for 2 weeks thinking it didnt matter and they made me jump through hoops to get those weeks back

Also worth noting that Washington has a one-week waiting period before you can receive benefits, so your first payable week is actually your second week of unemployment. Plan your finances accordingly because that first week won't be paid even if you're approved.

the whole system is designed to make you jump through hoops and deny as many people as possible. i had to appeal my initial denial and it took 2 months to get a hearing scheduled. be prepared to fight for what you deserve

Don't forget you'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment information for the last 18 months when you apply. Having pay stubs handy helps too in case there are questions about your wages.

Quick tip - if you're worried about qualifying due to earnings, you can check your wage history in your SecureAccess Washington account before applying. It shows what Washington ESD has on file from your employers.

been on unemployment twice in the past 5 years and honestly the phone system is terrible. spent hours trying to get through when i had questions about my claim status. that claimyr thing mentioned earlier actually sounds useful - might have saved me a lot of frustration

Also be aware that if you have any severance pay or vacation payout, it might affect when your benefits start. Washington ESD has specific rules about how separation payments are handled.

dont forget to sign up for worksourcewa right away too! thats where u log ur job searches and they have job postings and stuff. its required anyway so might as well get familiar with it

One more important point - you have to be physically able to work and available for work. If you have any medical conditions that prevent you from working, you might need to look into disability benefits instead of unemployment.

also watch out for their 'requalification' requirements if you get disqualified for any reason. they make you earn a certain amount in new wages before you can claim benefits again. its like they punish you twice

For what it's worth, most people who meet the basic requirements get approved eventually. The system seems scary but if you lost your job through no fault of your own and meet the wage requirements, you'll probably be fine.

one last thing - if your employer contests your claim don't panic. its pretty common and doesn't mean you won't get benefits. just means washington esd has to investigate and make a determination

Best of luck with your application! The system isn't perfect but it does work when you need it. Just stay on top of your weekly claims and job search requirements once you get approved.