How long do you have to be at a job to claim unemployment benefits in Washington?

Oh that's confusing. So my job from over a year ago would count toward those earnings?

Yes, exactly! If you worked a year ago, those earnings would likely be included in your base period calculation. Washington ESD looks at your total work history, not just your current job.

It's not about how long you worked at the job you got fired from - it's about your total work history and earnings over the past year and a half. The system is designed to help people who have a substantial work history, not someone who worked one week total.

oh ok that makes more sense then

How does that service work? Is it expensive?

It's just a way to skip the endless busy signals and hold times. You don't give them any personal info - they just help you get through to an actual Washington ESD representative.

Yes, with 2 years of previous work history you should easily meet the earnings requirements. Just make sure you understand the reason for separation - if you're laid off due to lack of work, that's typically qualifying. If you're fired for misconduct, that's different.

Good point about the separation reason. They're talking about budget cuts so it would be lack of work, not performance issues.

Think of it this way: Washington ESD looks at your earnings from about 6-18 months ago (depending on when you file). They take your highest earning quarter during that time and you need at least $2,575 in that quarter, plus $3,850 total across the whole base period.

Okay that helps, thank you!

What's adjudication? That sounds scary.

It's just when Washington ESD has to investigate your claim because there's a dispute about why you lost your job. Takes longer but if you're telling the truth you'll be fine.

Adjudication can take several weeks while they review the facts. The employer and claimant both provide their side of the story, and then an adjudicator makes a decision.

Good question. You generally need to be a W-2 employee to qualify for regular unemployment benefits. Independent contractors (1099) typically don't qualify unless they were misclassified.

That makes sense. I was W-2 at both my jobs so I should be good.

I'm definitely going to remember that if I need to call them. The phone system sounds terrible.

It really is. Between the busy signals and getting disconnected after waiting on hold for an hour, it was incredibly frustrating.

Part-time work counts toward your base period earnings just like full-time work. It's all about the total dollar amount you earned, not whether you were full or part-time.

Perfect, I had a part-time job for most of last year so that should help.

You can combine wages from different states through something called Interstate Claims. You'd file in Washington since that's where you live now, but they can use your Oregon wages to help you qualify.

Oh wow, I had no idea that was possible. That's really helpful to know.

With 3 years of work history you should definitely meet the earnings requirements. Just keep documentation of your work history and earnings in case you need to file a claim.

In Washington, there's typically no waiting week anymore. Once your claim is processed and approved, you can start receiving benefits. But processing can take 1-3 weeks depending on complexity.

That's not too bad then. Better than some states I've heard about.

Right, it's designed to ensure you have a substantial work history. At minimum wage in Washington ($16.28/hour), that's only about 236 hours of work over the entire base period.

There's an alternative base period that looks at more recent quarters. Sometimes using that can help you qualify if the standard base period doesn't work.

Good to know there are options if you're close.

Agreed! This thread has been way more helpful than the official website.

Yes, you need to actively search for work and report your job search activities when you file your weekly claims. There are specific requirements about how many jobs you need to apply for each week.

Makes sense. I figured there would be requirements like that.

Same here! I feel so much more prepared now if something happens with my current job.

Glad this helped! And remember, if you do need to contact Washington ESD, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really does save a lot of time and frustration with their phone system.

Military service can count in some cases through something called UCX (Unemployment Compensation for Ex-servicemembers). It's a federal program but administered through state unemployment offices like Washington ESD.

Interesting, I'll have to look into that. Thanks!