How long do I have to work at a job to collect Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

That's confusing - so it's not about how long I worked at this current job but my total earnings over more than a year?

Exactly! It's about your earnings history, not your current job tenure. If you were working and earning money during those quarters, you should be fine.

Oh okay that makes more sense! So if I file in January 2025, they'd look at my earnings from April 2024 through September 2024?

Exactly! And you also need to have earned at least 680 hours of work OR earned wages equal to at least 680 times the state minimum wage during your base period.

Wait, so even if I meet the work requirements, I can't get benefits if I quit for a better job opportunity?

Correct. Quitting for a better opportunity usually doesn't qualify as 'good cause' for Washington ESD purposes. You'd need to be laid off or fired for reasons other than misconduct.

This is why I always try to negotiate getting laid off instead of quitting when I want to leave. Sometimes employers will work with you if you explain the situation.

That's a common misconception. There's no specific job duration requirement in Washington. Your friend might have been thinking of other states or maybe confused it with the base period earnings requirement.

oh ok that makes more sense. she was probably thinking of when she lived in oregon or something

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

It was worth every penny for me - way better than wasting weeks trying to get through on my own. The peace of mind alone was huge.

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

Ugh this is getting complicated. How do I even figure out what my base period earnings were?

You can check your wage history in your SecureAccess Washington account once you file a claim, or call Washington ESD to request a wage statement beforehand.

Or just file the claim and let them calculate it for you - that's what I did and it was easier than trying to figure it out myself.

YES! I spent literally hours trying to get through to someone at Washington ESD to verify my wage information. The phone system is impossible - you either get disconnected or sit on hold forever.

I actually found a service called Claimyr that helped me 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 was way easier than trying to call myself.

Interesting, I'll have to look into that. I'm so tired of the runaround with their phone system.

Getting fired doesn't automatically disqualify you. It depends on why you were fired. If it was for misconduct connected to your work, then yes, you'd be disqualified. But layoffs, company downsizing, or even some performance issues might still qualify you.

Good to know - I always thought any firing meant no benefits.

That's really helpful to know! So they'll try both ways to see if I qualify?

Exactly. The system does this automatically when you file your initial claim. It's designed to give you the best chance of qualifying.

How long is too long? What if I try to find another job first before filing?

You can't get benefits for weeks before you actually file your claim, so every week you wait is a week of potential benefits lost. File right away and keep job searching - you have to do that anyway to keep getting benefits.

This! I made the mistake of waiting a month thinking I'd find something quickly. Lost out on over $1,500 in benefits I could have gotten.

Contract work can count if you paid into the unemployment system as a covered worker. But if you were truly self-employed and didn't pay UI taxes, it won't count toward your base period wages.

How do I know if I paid UI taxes on contract work?

Check if you received a W-2 or 1099. W-2 work usually has UI taxes taken out, but 1099 work typically doesn't unless you specifically elected coverage.

Did you try to appeal the denial?

Yeah, I did appeal but it was a long process. Unless you have documented evidence of good cause for quitting, they usually uphold the denial.

Appeals can take months to resolve too. It's definitely better to understand the rules before you make any job changes.

Right? And trying to get someone on the phone to explain it is impossible. I gave up after a week of busy signals.

That's exactly why I used Claimyr when I needed to talk to someone. Life's too short to spend it listening to busy signals from Washington ESD.

Contract work can count if your employer paid into the unemployment insurance system for you. But if you're truly self-employed and pay self-employment taxes, that usually doesn't count toward UI eligibility.

Hmm, I think some of my clients might have treated me as a W-2 employee. I should probably check my tax documents to be sure.

Good point about the minimum wage calculation. I think I should be well above that threshold.

Yeah, the hours requirement is usually more restrictive than the wage requirement for most people.

You can get benefits if you quit for 'good cause' - things like unsafe working conditions, discrimination, harassment, or significant changes to your job that weren't part of your original agreement.

How do you prove good cause though?

Documentation is key - emails, photos, witness statements, HR complaints, medical records if relevant. The more evidence you have, the better your chances in an appeal if they initially deny you.

You might be able to reopen your previous claim if it's still valid, or you might need to file a new claim depending on how much you've earned since then. Washington ESD will determine which option gives you higher benefits.

Is there a limit to how many times you can collect unemployment in a year?

Not exactly, but each claim has a maximum duration (usually 26 weeks) and you need sufficient earnings in your base period for each new claim.

That's actually reassuring. I was worried 6 weeks wouldn't be enough but I was working full-time before this job.

Just make sure you understand why you might lose the job - that's more important than how long you've been there.

What are the weekly requirements exactly?

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities. There are some exceptions for certain training programs or if you're on standby with your employer.

The job search requirements are no joke. They actually audit people and can deny benefits if you don't have proper documentation.

I used it last month when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Worked exactly like they said - got through to an agent and found out there was a simple issue with my job search log that I could fix online.

How long did it take?

Maybe 15 minutes? Way better than the hours I wasted trying to call myself.

Good point. I'll just file if something happens and see what they say.

Agreed. I spent way too much time worrying about whether I qualified instead of just applying. Turns out I was eligible and got benefits for 4 months.

That's probably what I should do too. Better to be safe than sorry.

Smart move. The job market is unpredictable and you never know how long it might take to find something new.

Where would I go for that kind of consultation?

WorkSource offices sometimes have advisors who can help, or you could try calling Washington ESD directly. Though like others mentioned, getting through by phone can be challenging.

That's where Claimyr really helped me out. Instead of spending hours trying to get through, I was able to connect with an agent quickly to get my specific questions answered.

That's a good point. I should probably calculate what my potential benefit amount would be before making any decisions.

Washington ESD has a benefit calculator on their website that can give you an estimate. It's actually pretty accurate if you have your wage information handy.

I get the reasoning behind it, but it does limit your options when you want to take a risk on a new opportunity.

That's why having an emergency fund is so important. Gives you the freedom to make career moves without worrying about immediate income.

Good to know. I hadn't thought about what would happen if the new job didn't work out.

Always document everything if you're having issues at work. You never know when you might need that paper trail for an unemployment claim.

Thanks everyone for all the detailed information. This has been really helpful in understanding what I need to consider.

Good luck with whatever you decide! Just make sure you're making an informed choice.