How long do I have to be working to get Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

In Washington state, you need to have earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period to qualify for unemployment benefits. Your base period is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. It's not about how long you've been at one job, but about your total earnings during that time period.

So if I started working in March 2024 and it's now January 2025, would I qualify? I'm confused about the quarters thing.

Yes, you should qualify. You would have earned wages in Q2 2024 (April-June), Q3 2024 (July-Sept), and Q4 2024 (Oct-Dec), which is more than the minimum two quarters needed.

i think you also need to have made at least a certain amount of money too, not just worked the quarters. my friend got denied because she didn't earn enough even though she worked part time for over a year

That's correct. You need to have earned at least $1,005 in your highest-earning quarter during the base period, and your total base period wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings.

Oh wow, I didn't know about the dollar requirements. I make decent money so I think I'd meet that, but good to know there are multiple requirements.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to ask about my own eligibility and I can't get anyone on the phone! The wait times are insane and I keep getting disconnected. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there?

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. It saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.

That sounds too good to be true. How does it actually work? I'm desperate at this point but I don't want to get scammed.

It's legit - they basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent is available. Way better than sitting on hold for hours just to get disconnected.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN! I worked for 15 years and when I finally needed unemployment they made me jump through a million hoops. Now they're telling people they need to work certain amounts of time? It's ridiculous!

I get your frustration but the work requirements have been around for decades. It's to prevent people from working just a few weeks and then collecting benefits.

Whatever, the whole thing is designed to deny people benefits. I know people who worked full time and still got rejected for stupid reasons.

To add to what others have said, you also need to be unemployed through no fault of your own. So if you quit voluntarily or get fired for misconduct, you won't qualify even if you meet the work and wage requirements.

Good point. In my case it would be a layoff due to company restructuring, so that should be covered right?

Yes, layoffs due to lack of work or company downsizing typically qualify as 'no fault of your own' separations.

wait so if i worked at two different jobs during those quarters does that count towards the total? like if i worked at job A for 3 months then job B for 5 months?

Yes, absolutely. Washington ESD looks at all your wages from all employers during the base period. It doesn't matter if you changed jobs - they add up all your earnings.

thats good to know, thanks! i was worried about the job switching thing

I remember when I first applied for unemployment, I was so confused about all the requirements. The Washington ESD website has a lot of information but it's not always clear. It took me forever to figure out if I qualified.

Same here! I spent hours reading through their website trying to understand the base period calculation. Would have been so much easier if I could have just talked to someone.

Exactly! That's why I ended up using one of those services to help me get through to an agent. Made the whole process much less stressful.

Does anyone know if there are different requirements for different types of work? Like if you're a contractor vs. regular employee?

Independent contractors typically don't qualify for regular unemployment benefits because they don't pay into the system. However, there might be other programs available depending on your situation.

That makes sense. I was thinking about doing some contract work but I guess I'd lose unemployment eligibility.

Just wanted to mention that even if you qualify based on work history, you still need to meet the ongoing requirements like job searching and being available for work. It's not just about getting approved initially.

Right, I've heard about the job search requirements. How many jobs do you have to apply to each week?

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities. Washington ESD can ask to see your job search log at any time.

honestly the whole system is confusing and they don't make it easy to understand. i've been working for 2 years and i still don't know if i'd qualify if i lost my job

If you've been working steadily for 2 years, you should definitely qualify as long as you meet the wage requirements. The base period would include multiple quarters of earnings.

thanks, that makes me feel better. wish they made this stuff clearer on their website

I had a friend who thought she didn't qualify because she only worked part-time, but she actually did qualify because she earned enough over the base period. Don't assume you won't qualify just because you don't work full-time.

That's a good point. Part-time workers can definitely qualify if they meet the wage and work requirements. It's all about the total earnings during the base period.

For anyone struggling to get through to Washington ESD, I recently discovered Claimyr and it was a game changer. Instead of spending entire days trying to call and getting nowhere, they handled it for me and I got connected to an agent within a reasonable time. Check out their demo video to see how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ

How much does something like that cost? I'm already worried about money if I lose my job.

I think it's worth it when you consider how much time and frustration it saves. Much better than taking days off work to sit on hold.

The original poster asked about 8 months of work - that should definitely be enough time. You're probably overthinking it. Most people who work for several months qualify unless there are other issues.

Thanks, that's reassuring. I just wanted to make sure before I potentially need to file a claim.

i think the key thing is just to apply if you think you might qualify. let washington esd make the determination rather than trying to figure it out yourself. worst case they say no and you know for sure

That's true, but it's still good to have a general idea of the requirements beforehand. The application process can take time and it's better to be prepared.

yeah fair point. at least now the OP has a better understanding of what to expect

One more thing to keep in mind - if you do get laid off, file your claim as soon as possible. There's a waiting period before benefits start, so don't delay the application process.

Good advice. I'll keep that in mind. Hopefully I won't need to file a claim at all, but it's good to be prepared.

Exactly. Hope for the best but plan for the worst. At least now you know you should qualify if the worst happens.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! This thread has been really informative for understanding Washington ESD requirements.

Agreed! I feel much more confident about my situation now. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain things.