How long do you have to work at a job to get Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

Oh that makes more sense! So if I made $1,000 total between both jobs this year I should be good?

Exactly! Washington ESD looks at your total wages from all employers during the base period, not just one job.

The 680 hours requirement is for a different calculation method called the alternate base period. Most people qualify based on the $1,000 wage requirement in the standard base period.

ohh ok thanks for clearing that up

That's helpful, thank you! So if I've been working steadily for 8 months I should be okay then?

Most likely yes, but it depends on when you started and how much you've earned. Washington ESD looks at quarters, not months, so timing matters.

Really? That sounds too good to be true honestly. How much does something like that cost?

I was skeptical too but it really worked. They don't mention pricing upfront but for me it was worth it just to get actual answers about my base period wages.

I've heard of Claimyr before, some people swear by it for getting through Washington ESD's phone system.

That's reassuring! Did you have any issues when you actually filed your claim?

Not really, just had to make sure I had all my employer information ready when I filed online.

Thanks! So if I started working in September and they lay me off in January, would my base period include quarters where I wasn't working at all?

Yes, your base period would include quarters where you had no earnings. That's why you need wages in at least two quarters - it accounts for gaps in employment.

This is super helpful, thank you for breaking it down so clearly!

I never understood why they make it so complicated with all these different quarters and periods

It's designed to ensure you have recent work history, but I agree the terminology can be confusing at first.

You're thinking of a different requirement. Washington doesn't use hours worked - it's all based on wages earned during specific quarters. The 680 hours thing might be from another state's rules.

oh ok thanks for clearing that up

That sounds really useful! How much does something like that cost?

I don't remember the exact amount but it was totally worth it for the peace of mind. Much better than spending hours trying to call and never getting through.

Never heard of this before but honestly the thought of actually talking to someone at Washington ESD sounds amazing. I've been trying to get through for weeks about a different issue.

That's really helpful! I think I should be okay then since I've been working full-time. Do you know if there are any other requirements I should be aware of?

You also need to be able and available for work, actively seeking employment, and meet the job search requirements. Plus you can't be fired for misconduct or quit without good cause.

This is really confusing. Can you give an example of what this looks like with actual numbers?

Sure! Say you earned $3,000 in Q1, $4,000 in Q2, and $3,500 in Q3. Your highest quarter is $4,000, so you need total wages of at least $6,000 (1.5 x $4,000). Your total is $10,500, so you'd qualify. You also have wages in three quarters, which exceeds the two-quarter minimum.

I feel your pain! Have you tried calling first thing in the morning? Sometimes that helps.

Yeah tried that too, still a nightmare. Honestly thinking about trying that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier.

Seriously recommend it - saved me so much time and frustration when I was trying to get my wage information verified.

How much does that cost? I'm already worried about money if I get laid off.

It's worth it when you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD. Way better than spending your whole day trying to get through on the phone.

I get the frustration, but the quarter system actually protects workers better in some cases. Someone who worked part-time for a year might qualify when they wouldn't under a simple 6-month rule.

i guess that makes sense when you put it that way

Based on those numbers, yes, you should easily qualify. You'd have substantial wages in multiple quarters and well exceed the minimum thresholds.

Just make sure you understand that your benefit amount will be based on those wages too. Higher earnings during your base period mean higher weekly benefits, up to the state maximum.

It depends on your total earnings over the base period, not just one job. If you worked other jobs during that timeframe, those wages count too.

oh ok that makes more sense i guess. still confusing though

I'll check that out! Is it pretty accurate or just a rough estimate?

It's fairly accurate as long as you input your wages correctly. Just remember it's based on your base period quarters, not your most recent earnings.

The quarter system is designed to ensure people have a substantial work history and earnings before receiving benefits. It prevents abuse of the system.

I get that but it makes it so hard to understand if you even qualify. Most people don't know about base periods until they try to file.

Good point! My situation would probably be a layoff so I think I'd be okay on that front.

What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? I'm dealing with a hostile work environment situation.

That can potentially qualify as good cause, but you'd need to document the situation thoroughly. Washington ESD looks at each case individually.

That's reassuring to hear! Did the whole process go smoothly for you?

Mostly yes, though there was some confusion about my base period dates at first. That's where talking to an actual person helped clear things up.

If you file in January 2025, your base period would typically be Q1 2024 through Q4 2024 (January 2024 - December 2024). But there are alternative base period options if you don't qualify under the standard base period.

ok that makes more sense thanks

This is a really important point! I had three different jobs during my base period and they all counted toward my qualification.

Good to know! I did work a part-time job for about 2 months before starting my current full-time position.

No problem! It's such a common concern but the information isn't always easy to find in plain English.

Yes, seasonal work definitely counts! As long as those wages were earned during your base period, they go toward your total.

cool thanks, so close to that 1000 minimum

When would someone use the alternate base period instead?

Usually when you don't qualify under the regular base period but have more recent earnings that would make you eligible. Washington ESD automatically checks both when you apply.

Good point! Is there a deadline for filing after you lose your job?

No specific deadline, but you can't get benefits for weeks before you filed your claim. So the sooner the better to avoid losing potential benefits.

That's reassuring! Did you have any issues with the application process?

The online application was pretty straightforward. Just make sure you have all your employer information and wage details ready before you start.

The wage requirements are the same regardless of how your employment ended. The difference is in the reason for separation - you have to be unemployed through no fault of your own to collect benefits. Being laid off usually qualifies, being fired for cause usually doesn't.

That makes sense, thanks for clarifying!

Oh that's smart! I didn't know they had that information available online.

Yeah the SAW portal is actually pretty useful once you figure out how to navigate it.

Takes a little getting used to but definitely beats trying to call and wait on hold for hours.

How did you find out about that service? I've never heard of it before this thread.

Someone mentioned it in another forum thread actually. The website is claimyr.com and they have a demo video that shows exactly how it works. Really straightforward.

You can potentially combine wages from other states, but you need to file what's called an interstate claim. It's more complicated and usually requires talking to someone at Washington ESD directly.

Ugh of course it's more complicated. Guess I'll need to call them after all.

That's exactly when Claimyr comes in handy - for those situations where you actually need to speak to a human at Washington ESD but can't get through normally.

Is it legit though? Never heard of it before and seems too good to be true.

Yeah it's legitimate. They don't ask for any personal info - they just help you get connected to Washington ESD agents when their phone lines are swamped.

I felt the same way at first but once you understand it, it's actually pretty logical. The quarter system ensures people who work seasonally or have variable income can still qualify.

i guess but its still confusing as hell when youre trying to figure it out the first time

How long did the whole process take once you finally got through to someone?

Once I actually spoke to an agent, they were able to handle it pretty quickly. The hard part was just getting connected in the first place.

That's really reassuring, thank you! I feel much better about my situation now.

Just remember to keep good records of your employment and wages in case you need to provide documentation later.

Did Washington ESD help you figure out your base period wages or did you have to calculate it yourself?

They have your wage records on file, but it helped to have my own documentation ready in case there were any discrepancies.

Great advice! I should probably start a file with all that information just in case.

Exactly! Having everything organized makes the application process much smoother if you do need to file.

If you file for unemployment in January 2025, your base period would be January-March 2024, April-June 2024, July-September 2024, and October-December 2024. So your September start would be in Q3 and Q4.

oh ok so i would need wages in at least 2 of those quarters to qualify?

Correct! And meet the minimum wage thresholds I mentioned earlier.

I definitely learned that lesson from this thread! Going to start keeping better records.

That's encouraging! I was worried the benefits would be really low even if I qualified.

The maximum weekly benefit is around $1000 right now, but your actual amount depends on your earnings history.

How quickly do they usually get you connected?

Usually within a few hours during business days. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.

Same here! I feel much more prepared now in case I do get laid off.

Good to know! I'll keep that in mind.

Actually the day you file your initial claim doesn't matter that much. It's the weekly claims that need to be filed on schedule.

Thanks! Yeah, fingers crossed I won't need it but it's good to know I have options.

It's 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings. So if your best quarter was $5,000, your total base period wages need to be at least $7,500.

ok got it thanks for clearing that up

Yeah, and if there are any issues or questions about your claim, it goes into adjudication which can take even longer. Best to file as soon as you become unemployed.

Good point about filing quickly. I'll definitely keep that in mind if something happens with my job.

How long did it take them to get you connected? The regular phone lines are such a nightmare.

It was surprisingly fast - maybe 15 minutes? Way better than the hours I spent trying to call directly and getting nowhere.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I feel much more confident about understanding how this works now.

This thread has been really educational. I learned things I didn't know about the Washington unemployment system too.

Great advice! I'll start putting together that information just in case. Better to be prepared.

Also keep copies of your pay stubs if you can. Sometimes there are discrepancies in what employers report vs. what you actually earned.

Good point! I'll definitely check my wage history before making any assumptions.

This happened to me - thought I was short but found out my old employer had finally reported some back wages.

Only reported tips that your employer included on your W-2 count toward your base period wages. Cash tips that weren't reported don't show up in Washington ESD's system.

Figures. Restaurant barely reported any of our tips.

Same issue here. Made way more in tips than what shows up on my W-2.

It's the minimum to qualify, but your benefit amount is based on your total wages during the base period. Higher wages = higher weekly benefit amount.

Ah ok that makes sense. So you'd still want to have worked more to get decent payments.

Same here! Really glad I asked about this.

Always good to understand these requirements before you actually need to file.