How long do you have to work order to collect unemployment in Washington ESD?

What exactly is the minimum wage requirement? And how do they calculate it if I worked for different employers?

You need at least $5,000 in total base period wages and wages in at least two quarters. Multiple employers is fine - they combine all your W-2 wages during that period.

It's actually 680 hours of work OR meeting the wage requirements I mentioned above. You only need to meet one of those tests, not both.

oh ok that makes more sense, thanks for clarifying!

That sounds helpful! Did they charge a lot for that service?

It was worth it to get a definitive answer instead of guessing. Much better than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.

Never heard of Claimyr but honestly anything is better than trying to call Washington ESD directly. Those wait times are insane.

I get the frustration but the requirements aren't that complicated once you understand them. The wage test is pretty straightforward.

Easy for you to say! When you're stressed about losing your job the last thing you want to do is decode government bureaucracy.

This is super helpful! How do I find out what my base period wages were exactly?

You can check your wage records on the Washington ESD website or request a wage statement. Your base period is January-December 2024 if you're filing now.

Wait, I thought the base period was different than that?

The standard base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters. Sometimes there's an alternate base period if you don't qualify under the standard one.

Good point. I assume if I'm laid off I'd meet those requirements automatically?

Not automatically - you still need to register with WorkSource and do job search activities each week. But being laid off definitely helps your case.

That's actually not bad advice. The worst they can say is no, and you might be surprised and qualify.

But doesn't applying when you don't qualify mess up your ability to apply later?

No, a denied claim doesn't prevent you from filing again later if your situation changes.

How do you check if employers reported wages correctly?

You can request your wage record from Washington ESD or check with your employers' HR departments. Sometimes there are delays in reporting.

Seasonal work can actually work in your favor for unemployment eligibility. Many seasonal workers qualify because they have concentrated earnings periods.

That's reassuring to hear. I just hate not knowing for sure until you actually apply.

Gig work usually doesn't count because it's 1099 income, not covered employment. You need W-2 wages from employers who pay into the unemployment insurance system.

Darn, that eliminates most of my income from last year.

Some gig companies are starting to pay into UI but it's still pretty rare. Definitely check your tax forms to see if you have any W-2s.

I mentioned it earlier - definitely worth it if you need to talk to someone quickly. Check out their demo video to see how it works.

I tried them last month when I was having issues with my weekly claim. Got connected within an hour instead of waiting all day on hold.

That sounds amazing. I've been trying to call for three days straight with no luck.

How do you request the alternate base period? Do they automatically check it?

They should automatically check it if you don't qualify under the standard base period, but you can also request it specifically when you apply.

I understand the frustration, but the system is designed to ensure people have sufficient work attachment and that there's enough funding in the trust fund to pay benefits.

i guess that makes sense but its still annoying when youre trying to figure out if you can pay rent next month

I didn't know military service counted. That's good to know for veterans.

Yes, there are special provisions for military personnel and federal workers. The rules can be quite different from regular state UI.

That breakdown really helps put the hours requirement in perspective. 8 months part-time should definitely cover that.

Exactly. If you've been working consistently for 8 months, even part-time, you almost certainly meet both the hours and wage requirements.

You typically apply in the state where you worked most recently, but they can combine wages from multiple states through interstate agreements.

That's helpful. I was worried I'd lose credit for work I did in other states.

That's generally true. The requirements are there to ensure people have recent work history, but they're not designed to exclude everyone.

Agreed! This discussion has made me feel much more confident about my situation. Thanks everyone for all the helpful info.

Glad we could help! And remember, if you need to verify anything specific about your case, services like Claimyr can get you connected to an actual Washington ESD representative quickly.

Good reminder. I'll definitely file right away when the time comes.

Yes, and the sooner you file, the sooner you'll know for sure if you qualify instead of just wondering about it.