How long do you have to work somewhere to get unemployment benefits in Washington state?
I'm thinking about leaving my current job but want to make sure I'd qualify for unemployment benefits if I need them. I've been working at my current place for about 8 months now, but before that I had a gap where I wasn't working for like 6 months. Does Washington ESD have a minimum time you need to work at a job to qualify for UI benefits? I'm confused about the work history requirements and don't want to quit and then find out I can't get benefits if I need them later.
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Anastasia Kozlov
In Washington state, you need to have worked and earned wages during your base period to qualify for unemployment benefits. The base period is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. It's not about how long you worked at one specific job, but about your total earnings during that base period. You need to have earned at least $1,300 in your highest earning quarter and total base period wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings.
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NeonNebula
•So it's based on quarters, not just how long I've been at my current job? That makes more sense. I think I should qualify then since I was working before my gap too.
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Sean Kelly
•yeah but dont quit your job if you want unemployment - you have to be laid off or fired for non-misconduct reasons to qualify
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Zara Mirza
Just to clarify what the previous poster said - if you voluntarily quit your job, you generally won't qualify for unemployment benefits unless you quit for good cause. Good cause includes things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or substantial changes to your job duties. Simply wanting to leave isn't considered good cause by Washington ESD.
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NeonNebula
•Oh wow, I didn't realize that. I thought if you worked long enough you could get benefits regardless. Good thing I asked here first!
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Luca Russo
•This is super important info that a lot of people don't know. I've seen so many people quit thinking they'll get benefits and then get denied.
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Nia Harris
I went through this whole process last year when I got laid off. The base period calculation can be confusing, but Washington ESD has a benefit calculator on their website that can help you figure out if you qualify and how much you might get. You'll need your wage information from all your employers during the base period, not just your current job.
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NeonNebula
•That's helpful, I'll check out the calculator. Do you remember roughly how long the whole process took from when you filed to when you got your first payment?
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Nia Harris
•Mine took about 3 weeks, but that was pretty straightforward. If there are any issues with your claim it can take longer and go into adjudication.
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GalaxyGazer
If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your eligibility, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get connected to an actual agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call and getting busy signals.
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NeonNebula
•Is that legit? I've never heard of using a service to help with unemployment calls.
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GalaxyGazer
•Yeah it's real. They basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent picks up. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•I've heard good things about Claimyr from other people on here. The Washington ESD phone system can be really frustrating to navigate.
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Mateo Sanchez
you need to work 680 hours or earn $1300 in your highest quarter during the base period thats the minimum but like others said you cant just quit and expect benefits
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NeonNebula
•680 hours - that's like 4 months of full time work roughly. That seems reasonable.
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Zara Mirza
•Actually, it's 680 hours OR the wage requirement - you don't need both. But the wage requirement is usually easier to meet for most people.
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Aisha Mahmood
The whole system is so confusing! I got laid off 6 months ago and it took forever to figure out if I qualified. The base period thing is weird because it doesn't include recent work sometimes. Like if you file in January, they might not count work from December because of how the quarters work.
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NeonNebula
•That does seem weird. So timing of when you file matters?
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Aisha Mahmood
•Yeah exactly! Sometimes waiting a few weeks to file can actually help your base period calculation if you're on the border.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•There's also an alternate base period that can be used if you don't qualify under the regular base period. It uses more recent wages.
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Ethan Moore
I've been working part-time at two different jobs for the past year. Do both jobs count toward the base period requirements? I'm worried I won't qualify because neither job individually pays that much.
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Zara Mirza
•Yes, all wages from all employers during your base period count. So your combined earnings from both jobs would be used to determine eligibility.
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Ethan Moore
•That's a relief! I was worried I'd have to choose between the two jobs or something.
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Yuki Kobayashi
Just want to add that even if you qualify based on work history, you still have to meet the ongoing requirements like doing job searches and filing your weekly claims. It's not just about getting approved initially.
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NeonNebula
•What are the job search requirements? I've heard they're pretty strict.
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Yuki Kobayashi
•You have to do at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log. It can include applying to jobs, networking, going to job fairs, etc.
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Carmen Vega
•And you have to be able and available to work. If you're not actively looking or can't accept a job offer, you won't qualify for that week.
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QuantumQuester
Does anyone know if gig work counts toward the base period? I did some DoorDash and Uber driving between regular jobs and I'm not sure if that counts as wages for unemployment purposes.
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Zara Mirza
•Gig work can count, but it depends on whether you were classified as an employee or independent contractor. Most gig workers are contractors and don't pay into unemployment insurance.
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QuantumQuester
•Yeah I figured that was the case. Wish there was better protection for gig workers.
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Andre Moreau
I'm confused about something - if I get fired for performance issues, does that count as misconduct? I'm worried my boss might let me go because I've been struggling with my workload lately.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless it's willful or deliberate. Being unable to meet job requirements due to lack of skill or ability is different from misconduct.
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Andre Moreau
•That's good to know. I've been trying my best but the job might just not be a good fit for me.
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Zoe Stavros
•If you do get fired, make sure to document everything and be honest on your unemployment application about the circumstances.
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Jamal Harris
This thread has been really helpful! I had no idea about the base period calculation. I thought it was just about your most recent job. The Washington ESD website isn't very clear about this stuff.
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NeonNebula
•I agree, the website is confusing. This forum has been way more helpful than trying to navigate the official site.
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Mei Chen
•Yeah the ESD website is terrible. Half the links don't work and the information is scattered everywhere.
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Liam Sullivan
One more thing to consider - even if you qualify for unemployment, the weekly benefit amount is based on your wages during the base period. So higher earnings during that time mean higher weekly benefits.
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NeonNebula
•Makes sense. Is there a maximum weekly benefit amount?
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Liam Sullivan
•Yes, there's a maximum weekly benefit amount that gets adjusted each year. For 2025 I think it's around $1,019 per week.
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Amara Okafor
I tried calling Washington ESD last week to ask about my base period and couldn't get through. The phone system is awful. Ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and finally got to talk to an agent who explained everything clearly.
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NeonNebula
•How much did that cost? I might need to do the same thing.
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Amara Okafor
•I don't remember the exact cost but it was worth it to avoid hours of calling and busy signals. Check out their website for current pricing.
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CosmicCommander
Just want to emphasize again that if you're planning to quit your job, you probably won't qualify for unemployment benefits unless you have a really good reason that meets Washington ESD's definition of good cause. Don't assume you'll get benefits just because you've worked long enough.
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NeonNebula
•Yeah, that's been made very clear in this thread. I definitely won't quit without having another job lined up or a really good reason.
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Giovanni Colombo
•Good call. I see too many people make that mistake and then struggle financially while trying to appeal their denial.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
What about if you're in a union? Do they have any special protections or different rules for unemployment benefits?
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Zara Mirza
•Union members follow the same general rules for unemployment benefits, but your union might provide additional support or resources during the process.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•That makes sense. I'll check with my union rep if I ever need to file a claim.
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Dylan Cooper
This has been really educational. I had no idea the unemployment system was so complex. Seems like there are a lot of ways to accidentally disqualify yourself if you don't know the rules.
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NeonNebula
•Absolutely! I came here with a simple question and learned way more than I expected. Really glad I asked before making any decisions about my job.
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Sofia Ramirez
•That's exactly why forums like this are so valuable. The official information is hard to understand but real people can explain it in plain English.
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Taylor Chen
Thanks everyone for all the detailed info! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I had no idea about the base period calculation or that quitting voluntarily would disqualify me. Definitely going to use that benefit calculator on the ESD website to see where I stand, and I'll make sure to have a solid plan before making any job changes. Really appreciate this community sharing their experiences - saved me from potentially making a costly mistake!
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