How long do you have to work somewhere before you can get unemployment benefits in Washington?

Oh that makes more sense! So if I worked somewhere else before this job, those wages would count too?

Exactly! All your W-2 wages from covered employers during that base period count toward the $1,500 minimum.

You're thinking of the work search requirements after you start getting benefits. For initial eligibility, it's mainly about the wage requirement and being able and available to work.

Never heard of that service but anything that helps you get through to Washington ESD sounds useful. Their phone lines are impossible.

Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely check that out if I need to call them.

That's a common misconception. Your manager might be thinking of FMLA or some company-specific policy. For Washington ESD unemployment, it's really about the wage requirement during your base period, not a specific time at one job.

Same here - I always thought it was 6 months minimum. Good to know that's not actually the rule!

That's a good idea. I should probably check my records to see what wages I have from previous jobs.

You can also request a wage statement from Washington ESD to see exactly what they have on file for you.

Good point. I'm hoping it won't come to that but it's good to know all the rules.

Yeah the 'good cause' thing can be tricky. They're pretty strict about that.

Right? The government websites are so confusing. Half the time I can't find what I'm looking for.

That's why services like Claimyr are helpful - sometimes you just need to talk to a human who can explain things clearly.

How many jobs do you have to apply to each week?

It's usually 3 job search activities per week, but it can vary depending on your situation. Could be applications, networking, job fairs, etc.

I'm not in a union but that's good to know for others reading this.

Yeah standby benefits are different from regular UI. Most people don't qualify for that.

It's the minimum to qualify, but your actual benefit amount depends on how much you earned. Higher wages in your base period mean higher weekly benefits.

Right, and there's also a maximum weekly benefit amount. I think it's around $1,000 per week but I'm not sure of the exact current amount.

That's really important to know. I'll definitely file right away if I need to.

Yeah don't wait thinking you might find a job quickly. Better to file and then stop the claim if you find work.

I used it when I had issues with my claim status. It definitely helped me get through faster than trying to call on my own. Worth it if you're having trouble reaching them.

Good to know! I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my adjudication and can never get through.

Same here! I feel much better informed now about how the whole system works.

Reddit unemployment threads are honestly more helpful than the official Washington ESD website sometimes.