How do you qualify for unemployment in Washington state - confused about Washington ESD requirements

To qualify for Washington ESD unemployment benefits, you need to meet several requirements. First, you must have worked and earned wages in at least two quarters during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). You also need to have earned at least $1,005 in your highest quarter. Being 'able and available' means you're physically and mentally capable of working and actively seeking employment. You'll need to register with WorkSource and complete 3 job search activities per week once your claim is approved.

You need to meet several requirements to qualify for Washington ESD unemployment benefits. First, you must have earned enough wages during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 quarters). Second, you must be unemployed through no fault of your own - so layoffs qualify but quitting without good cause doesn't. Third, you must be able and available for work and actively seeking employment.

the wage requirement is like $3,000 in your highest quarter and total wages of at least 1.25 times your highest quarter. if you only worked 8 months you might be cutting it close depending on how much you made

The Washington ESD qualification process is pretty straightforward once you understand the basics. You need sufficient work history (they'll calculate this based on your wages), you must be unemployed through no fault of your own, and you have to be actively looking for work. The hardest part for most people is dealing with adjudication if there are any questions about your separation from work.

I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions about my eligibility. Ended up using Claimyr.com to get connected to an actual agent - they have this system that calls you back when an agent is available instead of waiting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helped me get my questions answered quickly.

Since you were laid off, that's definitely qualifying. The tricky part is staying on top of your weekly claims and job search requirements. You'll need to file every week and log your job search activities.

I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD when I was applying. Spent weeks trying to call them to verify my identity and check on my claim status. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

The key things Washington ESD looks at: 1) Sufficient wages in base period 2) Unemployed through no fault of your own 3) Able and available for work 4) Actively seeking work. If you meet all four, you should qualify. The application process through SecureAccess Washington is pretty straightforward once you get started.

ugh the whole process is so confusing!! i keep reading about base periods and quarters and my brain just shuts off. why can't they just make it simple - did you work? did you get fired unfairly? here's your money. instead its like solving a math problem just to figure out if you qualify

ugh the Washington ESD system is so confusing!! I qualified but then they put my claim in adjudication for like a month because of some stupid technicality. Make sure all your employment dates are exact or they'll delay everything

One thing people don't realize is that you can apply even if you're not 100% sure you qualify. Washington ESD will determine your eligibility based on your work history and wages. Worst case scenario, they deny your claim, but at least you'll know for sure. The application process itself doesn't cost anything.

You also need to be a US citizen or authorized to work in the US. And you can't be receiving certain other benefits like workers comp. The Washington ESD eligibility interview will go through all this with you.

Been there! The most important thing is being honest about everything. If you lie about why you left your job or your availability for work, Washington ESD will find out and you could face penalties including having to pay back benefits.

The 'able and available' requirement trips up a lot of people. You have to be ready to accept suitable work immediately. If you're taking care of kids and can't work certain hours, or if you're going to school full-time, that might affect your eligibility. Washington ESD is pretty strict about this.

Make sure you understand the difference between regular unemployment and standby status if your employer says you might be called back. Standby has different requirements.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Washington eliminated it during COVID but it's back now. You won't get paid for your first week even if you're eligible.

Another important thing - you need to file your weekly claims every week to continue receiving benefits, even if you haven't been paid yet. Miss a week and you lose benefits for that week permanently. Set a reminder on your phone or something.

For anyone wondering about the wage requirements, Washington ESD looks at your highest earning quarter during the base period. You need to have earned at least $1,005 in that quarter. They also look at your total wages - you need at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings in total wages, or at least $1,508 in wages outside your highest quarter.

Just want to add that if you're on standby status (temporarily laid off but expecting to return to work), the rules are a bit different. You might not have to do job search activities, but you still need to file weekly claims. Make sure you understand which type of claim you're filing.

If you worked in multiple states, things get more complicated. Washington ESD might need to coordinate with other states for your wage information. But since you only worked in Washington, you should be fine.

If you're still confused about qualification requirements, I'd recommend talking to someone at Washington ESD directly. Like I mentioned before, Claimyr really helped me get through to an agent when I had questions. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person who can look at your specific situation.

Remember that even if you qualify for unemployment, your benefits might be delayed if Washington ESD needs to verify information with your employer. This is especially common if you were laid off as part of a reduction in force or if there are questions about the circumstances of your job separation.

Don't forget about the one-week waiting period for new claims! You won't get paid for your first week of unemployment even if you're approved. This catches a lot of people off guard when they're budgeting.

Just wanted to add - if you do run into issues with Washington ESD not responding to your calls or messages, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really does work. I was skeptical at first but it got me connected to an agent within a few tries instead of the hundreds of busy signals I was getting.

One more thing - keep records of everything! Save all your correspondence with Washington ESD, document your job search activities, keep pay stubs from your last job. If there are any issues later, you'll need this documentation.

this is all making my head spin but i guess the main thing is just apply and see what happens? seems like the worst they can say is no and then at least i know for sure

One more thing - if you're denied initially, you can appeal the decision. A lot of people don't realize this and just give up. The appeal process gives you a chance to present your case to a judge, especially if there's a dispute about why you left your job.

I'll just say this - the Washington ESD system is way better than it used to be, but it's still not perfect. Be patient, keep good records of everything, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. The benefits are there for a reason - to help people get back on their feet.

Just to summarize for the OP: You likely qualify based on your work history. Apply online at Washington ESD, register with WorkSource, be prepared to do job search activities, and file weekly claims. If you have specific questions, don't hesitate to contact Washington ESD directly.

honestly the whole system is a nightmare but if you qualify you qualify. just be prepared for delays and complications even when everything is correct

The weekly benefit amount is calculated as roughly 3.85% of your highest quarter earnings, up to a maximum. So with your salary level you should get a decent weekly amount.

Good luck with your application! The process can be frustrating but you sound like you have a straightforward case. Being laid off with decent wages and work history should make you eligible.

One last tip - when you're doing your weekly certifications, answer the questions carefully. Even small mistakes can cause delays or issues with your claim.

Also remember that you can work part-time while collecting unemployment as long as you report it properly. Your benefits will be reduced but you might still receive some money.

The bottom line is you sound like you qualify based on what you've described. Don't overthink it - just apply and let Washington ESD make the determination. Better to apply and find out than to assume you don't qualify.