How long do I need to work to get unemployment benefits in Washington?

What's the minimum amount of wages I need to have earned? And how do I know what my base period is?

You need at least $1,000 in wages during your base period and wages in at least 680 hours of work. The base period shifts depending on when you file - Washington ESD will calculate it automatically when you apply.

No, there's no requirement to work for a full year. It's based on earnings and hours worked during your base period, not how long you've been at one job.

That's a relief! I was stressing about that for nothing.

How much longer did it take for you? I'm worried about paying rent while waiting.

Mine took about 3 weeks longer than normal. If you're having trouble getting through to someone at Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I actually used a service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an agent faster. You can check them out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Add up all your gross wages from both jobs during your base period. If you made at least $1,000 total and worked at least 680 hours combined, you should qualify.

Do I need to keep track of my hours or will Washington ESD have that information?

Washington ESD gets wage information from employers, but it's good to keep your own records too in case there are discrepancies.

That sounds like it might be worth appealing. Being late once usually isn't considered misconduct unless it was part of a pattern. Did you file an appeal?

I tried but couldn't get anyone on the phone to explain the process. The website is useless.

That's exactly the kind of situation where Claimyr really helped me. They got me through to an actual person who could explain my options instead of just getting the runaround.

Interstate claims do take longer because Washington ESD has to verify your wages with other states. 2-3 weeks is pretty typical for the initial processing.

Thanks, that makes me feel better. I was starting to panic that something was wrong.

It depends on your earnings and hours, not just the length of time. 8 months could definitely be enough if you were working full-time or close to it.

I was working about 30 hours a week at $15/hour, so that should be enough.

That sounds like it would meet the requirements. You can apply online and Washington ESD will tell you if you qualify.

You can apply right after you're laid off. Don't wait - the sooner you apply, the sooner your benefits can start.

Perfect, I'll get on it first thing tomorrow morning.

How much does that service cost? I'm already broke from being unemployed.

It's worth checking out their site for details, but for me it was worth it to actually talk to someone instead of spending hours on hold or getting hung up on.

Wait, is it 680 hours total or 680 hours in Washington specifically?

It's 680 hours total during your base period, but they need to be from covered employment. Out-of-state work can count if you file an interstate claim.

If you file in 2025, your base period would typically be January 2024 through December 2024. But Washington ESD can use an alternate base period if that helps you qualify.

That makes sense. I started working in March 2024 so I should have enough time covered.

Yes, seasonal work counts as long as you met the wage and hour requirements. Many seasonal workers qualify for unemployment during their off-season.

Good to know! I was worried seasonal work wouldn't count.

4 weeks is getting pretty long. That's when I would definitely recommend trying Claimyr to get through to someone who can check what's holding up your claim.

I might have to try that. I've called dozens of times and never gotten through.

How do I request that? Is it online or do I have to call?

You can request it online through your eServices account or by calling, but good luck getting through on the phone.

Independent contractor work usually doesn't count because you don't pay into the unemployment system. You need to have been an employee with wages reported to Washington ESD.

Darn, that's what I was afraid of. I only had 3 months of regular employment.

Yes, it's $1,000 total gross wages during your entire base period. But you also need the 680 hours, so it's not just about the dollar amount.

OK that makes more sense. The hours requirement is probably the bigger hurdle for most people.

That's encouraging! Did you have to provide any additional documentation for the out-of-state wages?

Not really, Washington ESD handled most of the verification with California automatically. I just had to wait for them to process it.

Good luck! Make sure to apply as soon as possible after your last day of work to avoid any delays.

Will do! This thread was super helpful.