How long do you have to work for a company before you can get Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

So if I worked at other jobs before this one, those wages would count toward the requirement?

Exactly! Washington ESD looks at all your covered employment, not just your most recent job. As long as you meet the wage requirements from all your previous jobs combined, you could potentially qualify.

That's a common misconception. There's no minimum time requirement for working at a specific employer. What matters is meeting Washington ESD's monetary eligibility requirements based on your total wages earned during the base period.

oh wow i had no idea! so theoretically someone could work somewhere for just a few weeks and still get UI if they had enough previous wages?

Yes, as long as they meet all the other requirements like being able and available for work, actively seeking employment, and not being disqualified for misconduct.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I discovered it last month when I was having the same problem reaching Washington ESD. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they help you get through to an actual agent. There's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works.

Never heard of that before. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legit - I was skeptical too but got connected to a Washington ESD agent within 30 minutes. They were able to pull up my wage history and explain exactly what counted toward my base period.

These numbers are really helpful! Is there anywhere I can look up my wage history to see if I meet these requirements?

You can check your wage history through your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account on the Washington ESD website, or request a wage statement. The system should show all your reported wages by quarter.

I understand the frustration, but the system is designed to ensure people have a sufficient work history and connection to the workforce. It also helps prevent fraud by requiring actual documented wages.

I guess that makes sense but it's still needlessly complicated for people who just lost their jobs and are stressed out

What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? I'm worried about my current work environment but don't want to lose unemployment eligibility.

Good cause includes things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, significant changes to your job duties or pay, or certain personal circumstances. But it's always better to try to resolve issues first or get laid off if possible.

That's reassuring to hear! Did you have any trouble with the application process?

The application itself was straightforward through the Washington ESD website. The hard part was getting my claim processed - it took about 3 weeks due to some verification requirements.

Wait, so if I was doing DoorDash or Uber between regular jobs, those earnings wouldn't help me qualify?

Correct - gig work earnings generally don't count for regular UI benefits since you don't pay unemployment taxes on that income. You'd need to look into other programs if that's your primary work history.

How do I know when my base period would change to include more recent wages?

Base periods are calculated quarterly. So if you file in Q1 (Jan-Mar), your base period would be Q1-Q4 of the previous year. If you wait until Q2 (Apr-Jun), it would shift to include Q2-Q1 of the current year.

I had to provide additional documentation for one of my previous employers because they hadn't reported my wages correctly. Washington ESD accepted pay stubs and W-2s as proof, but it delayed my claim by about 2 weeks.

Good to know! I'll make sure to keep all my employment records organized just in case.

I didn't know there was an alternate option! How does that work exactly?

The alternate base period uses the four most recently completed quarters instead of the first four of the last five quarters. It's automatically considered if you don't qualify under the standard calculation.

What are the job search requirements? I know I'll need to look for work but wasn't sure about the specific requirements.

You typically need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities. The exact requirements can vary based on your situation and local job market conditions.

I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to actual Washington ESD agents. I was skeptical at first but it really works - got connected in about 20 minutes after weeks of trying on my own.

Is there a cost involved with that service?

There is a fee, but for me it was worth it to finally get my questions answered and my claim moving. Way better than losing hours every day trying to call.

Thanks for mentioning that! I might need to take some part-time work while looking for full-time employment.

Just make sure to report all earnings accurately on your weekly claims. It's better to report everything and let Washington ESD calculate the deductions than to risk being accused of fraud.

This has been incredibly helpful! I feel much more confident about understanding the requirements now. Thank you everyone!

Glad we could help! The system is complex but once you understand the basics it makes more sense. Good luck with your current job!