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

Thanks! So it's not just about how long you worked at one job, but your total work history over those quarters?

Exactly! And you need to have earned at least $1,000 in your highest earning quarter during the base period to meet the minimum requirements.

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

The application itself was straightforward, but getting through to someone at Washington ESD when I had questions was nearly impossible. I spent hours on hold multiple times.

How does that work exactly? Do they just call for you?

Yeah, basically they handle all the calling and waiting, then connect you when they get through to an actual person. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

No, that's a common misconception. You don't need a full year of work. The requirement is based on quarters and earnings, not total time worked.

oh ok that makes more sense. so if i worked 6 months i might still qualify?

Possibly, depending on when you worked and how much you earned. You'd need to look at your specific earnings in each quarter.

Good tip! I'll check that out. Do I need to gather pay stubs or will they have access to my wage information?

Washington ESD gets wage information from employers quarterly, so they should have most of your recent work history. But it's good to have your own records just in case.

Thanks! So if I file in January 2025, my base period would be like October 2023 through September 2024? I think I started my current job in May 2024 so I might not have enough quarters.

Exactly right on the timeframe. If you don't qualify with the standard base period, Washington ESD can use an alternate base period which would be the last four completed quarters. That might help in your situation.

What exactly is a quarter? Like 3 months? And how much do you need to earn total?

Yes, a quarter is 3 months. You need to earn at least $1,000 in your highest quarter AND your total base period wages need to be at least 1.25 times your high quarter wages.

Did you try calling Washington ESD to ask what the issue was?

I tried calling but could never get through. Always busy or they hang up on me.

I feel you! The whole process is unnecessarily complex. At least once you get through to someone they're usually helpful.

IF you can get through. I was on hold for 2+ hours each time I called.

That's not quite right for Washington. The 680 hours requirement is for some other states. Washington uses a dollar amount system based on quarterly earnings, not hours worked.

oh ok my bad, got confused with my friend who lives in oregon

This is super helpful! So if I started working in March 2024 and it's now January 2025, my base period would be...

Your base period would likely be January 2024 through December 2024, so you'd have earnings in Q2, Q3, and Q4 of 2024 which should easily meet the 2-quarter requirement.

Is that legit? Sounds too good to be true.

Yeah it's real. I was skeptical too but it actually worked. They basically keep calling for you until they get through.

How much does something like that cost though?

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

It's legit. I was skeptical too but it actually got me through to Washington ESD within like 20 minutes instead of spending my whole day trying to call. Worth it when you need answers about your eligibility.

How much does something like that usually cost though? I'm already worried about money if I lose my job.

Good point. In my case it would be a layoff, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Even with layoffs, sometimes employers contest claims. Just be prepared to provide documentation if needed.

So if I was working part-time and didn't earn much, I might not qualify even though I worked for 8 months?

Exactly. It's all about meeting the minimum wage requirements, not just the time worked.

This is super helpful. So if I've only been working since May 2024, I probably only have earnings in 2-3 quarters max by now. Might not qualify yet.

Right, but don't forget about the alternate base period option I mentioned earlier. If you don't qualify under the standard base period, Washington ESD will automatically check your alternate base period eligibility.

I mean, there has to be some requirements otherwise everyone would just file for benefits.

but 8 months of work should be enough! that's most of a year!

Yes, part-time work counts! It's all about your total earnings in each quarter, not whether you worked full-time or part-time.

That's great to know. I was worried my part-time wages wouldn't be enough.

Is there a cost for using that service?

There is a fee, but honestly it was worth it for the time it saved me. Plus they have that demo video I mentioned earlier that shows exactly how it works.

What's the alternate base period?

It's the last 4 completed calendar quarters instead of the first 4 of the last 5. So more recent work history gets included.

Yeah, Washington's requirements are fairly standard. Some states have higher earnings requirements.

True, I was worried I'd need like $5,000 in earnings or something crazy like that.

There actually is a benefits calculator on their website, but it's kind of buried in the menus. Look under 'Estimate Your Benefits' or something like that.

found it thanks! still confusing though lol

OK so I need to calculate my wages for each 3-month period and see if I meet those numbers. Where do I find my wage information?

Check your pay stubs or ask your employer for a wage statement. Washington ESD will also have your wage information on file from employer reports.

Yeah I'm making about $15/hour for maybe 25-30 hours a week. Trying to do the math in my head but it's complicated with all the quarter stuff.

That's roughly $375-450 per week, so you'd probably hit the minimum in a full quarter. The key is having earnings in at least two different quarters.

That's true I guess. Does it hurt to apply even if you might not qualify?

No it doesn't hurt to apply. If you don't meet the requirements, they'll just deny the claim.

How long is the waiting period in Washington?

There's typically a one-week waiting period, but it can vary depending on your situation and when you file.

That's encouraging! Did you have any previous work history before those 3 months?

yeah i had worked the year before too so that probably helped with the base period calculation

How do you check if your wages are reported correctly?

You can create an account on the Washington ESD website and view your wage history. It should show quarterly earnings from all your employers.

Thanks everyone! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident about my eligibility now.

Glad we could help! Don't hesitate to reach out if you run into any issues during the application process.

What did you end up doing? Did you reapply later?

I waited a few more months and reapplied. By then I had worked long enough to meet the requirements.

Good advice! I'll make sure to gather all that information before I start the application.

And keep copies of everything you submit. You never know when you might need to reference it later.

Or use that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier to avoid the long wait times.

True, that's probably the smarter approach if you don't want to spend your whole day on hold.

Like what kind of other programs?

Things like food assistance, temporary cash assistance, or job training programs. Washington ESD might be able to point you toward other resources.

Oh right, I forgot about that part. How many job contacts do you have to make per week?

I think it's 3 job search activities per week minimum, but it varies based on your situation. Some people have to do more.

Yeah, that's the 'through no fault of your own' requirement. Generally you need to be laid off, terminated for non-misconduct reasons, or have quit for good cause connected to the work.

she was being harassed by her boss but didnt document it properly so they said it wasnt good cause

Perfect summary! I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain this. Makes the whole process seem much less intimidating.

Happy to help! The unemployment system can be confusing but it's there to support you when you need it.

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. Same thing happened to me - spent literally 3 hours trying to get through on my own before I gave up and used their service.

I've had good luck calling right when they open at 8am or during lunch hour around 12:30. Still takes forever but better chance of getting through.

Oh good point. I worked from March through October so that would be multiple quarters right?

yeah that would be spring and summer quarters at least, maybe fall too depending on when exactly

That's what I've been trying to do but can never get through!

Yeah the phone lines are brutal. That Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier might be worth a shot if you're really stuck.

That's encouraging. I wasn't making a ton but it was more than minimum wage.

you should be fine then. just apply and see what happens

How would waiting help? I'm not working right now.

If you're not working, waiting wouldn't help. But if you had some high-wage weeks that are about to fall into your base period, it might be worth the wait.

Yeah definitely not planning to lie. Just want to make sure I actually qualify before applying.

good. better to be honest and get denied than to lie and get in trouble

How does that work exactly? Do they call for you?

Yeah they basically keep calling the Washington ESD number until they get through, then connect you to the agent. Super convenient.

I was working about 35 hours a week so almost full time. Hopefully that's enough.

that sounds like it should qualify. definitely worth applying to find out for sure

Yeah I know about the job search requirements. Just trying to figure out if I can even apply in the first place.

Makes sense. Get the qualification question answered first, then worry about the weekly requirements.

That's reassuring! Did you have to provide any special documentation about the gap in employment?

nope, they just looked at my wages during the base period. the gap before didn't matter

Oh really? I didn't know about that. I'll check it out.

Yeah it's pretty helpful. Won't be exact but gives you a ballpark idea.

You're probably right. I guess I'm just nervous about the whole process.

totally understandable. unemployment stuff is stressful. but better to know for sure than keep wondering

Good to know about the annual adjustments. I'll make sure I'm looking at current year requirements.

Yeah, always check the current year amounts. I've seen people get confused using old information from forums or websites that haven't been updated.

That's encouraging! How long did it take to find out if you were approved?

About 2 weeks for me, but some people wait longer if there are any issues with their application or work history that need verification.

You need BOTH - work in at least 2 quarters AND meet the minimum earnings requirements. It's not either/or, you have to satisfy all the criteria.

ugh ok that makes it harder then

Yeah the quarter thing is what's confusing me. So if I apply in February 2025, they'd look at April-June 2024, July-Sept 2024, Oct-Dec 2024, and Jan-March 2024?

Close, but the order would be Jan-March 2024, April-June 2024, July-Sept 2024, and Oct-Dec 2024. They go in chronological order for the base period.

Does it work for any type of question or just certain things?

From what I can tell, it just helps you get connected to a real person at Washington ESD faster. Once you're talking to an agent, you can ask whatever you need to ask.

True, I guess I should just apply and see what happens rather than trying to calculate everything perfectly beforehand.

Exactly. The application process will tell you if you qualify or not, and if not, they'll explain why so you know what you need for next time.

Oh interesting, I didn't know about partial benefits. My hours have been cut recently so that might apply to my situation.

Yeah, if your hours or wages were reduced through no fault of your own, you might qualify for partial benefits while still working. Different calculation but still based on the same base period requirements.

Good luck! Set aside a few hours and have all your employment info ready. Pay stubs, employer info, exact dates, etc.

Thanks for the tip! I'll gather everything tonight so I'm prepared.

You're welcome! Feel free to come back and update us on how it goes. These kinds of real experiences help other people in similar situations.

Definitely update us! And honestly, even if you're not sure you qualify, it's worth applying. The worst case is you get a definitive answer about your eligibility.