How long do you have to work to get unemployment benefits in Washington State?

What exactly counts as a quarter? Is that like 3 months?

Yes, quarters are 3-month periods. Q1 is Jan-March, Q2 is April-June, Q3 is July-Sept, Q4 is Oct-Dec.

Thank you! That's really helpful. What exactly counts as a quarter? Is that like every 3 months?

Yes, quarters are 3-month periods: Q1 (Jan-Mar), Q2 (Apr-Jun), Q3 (Jul-Sep), Q4 (Oct-Dec). Washington ESD looks at your earnings during these specific time periods to determine eligibility.

The 680 hours requirement was for the old system. Washington doesn't use hours anymore - it's all based on earnings now. You need to meet the wage requirements that the previous poster mentioned.

oh ok thanks for clearing that up

You're close! It's actually $1,282 in your highest quarter. And you need total earnings of at least $1,923 across the entire base period.

thanks for the correction, these numbers are confusing

How do I check my wage history? Do I need to create an account on their website?

Yes, you'll need to create an account on secure.esd.wa.gov. Once you're logged in, you can view your quarterly wage reports. It's really helpful to check this before you even need to file a claim.

Is that legit? How does it work exactly?

Yeah it's totally legitimate. They basically help you get through the phone queue to reach an actual Washington ESD representative. Much better than spending hours on hold or getting hung up on.

I've heard good things about Claimyr too. My sister used them when she had issues with her claim status.

How does that work exactly? Do they just help you get through the phone lines?

Yeah, it automates the calling process so you don't have to sit there redialing constantly. Way less frustrating than trying to get through on your own.

It can definitely be confusing at first. The good news is that if you worked full-time for 6 months, you almost certainly met the wage requirements assuming you were making at least minimum wage.

That's reassuring to know! I did end up qualifying but the whole process was stressful.

What counts as a job contact? Just applying online or do you need to do more?

Job applications count, but you can also include things like attending job fairs, networking events, or informational interviews. You need to keep a log of all your activities.

I tried that but it kept asking for specific wage amounts and I don't have all my old pay stubs.

You can request a wage and tax statement from ESD that shows your reported earnings. That might help you figure out your base period wages.

Good point! So even if I'm not 100% sure I qualify, I should still file right away?

YES! Let Washington ESD determine if you qualify or not. The worst they can do is say no, but if you wait you could miss out on benefits you're entitled to.

What does 'able and available' mean exactly? I can work but I have some restrictions on my schedule.

Able and available means you're physically and mentally capable of working, and you're available during normal work hours for your type of job. Some schedule restrictions might be okay depending on what they are.

It's actually $3,850 total in your base year with at least $2,700 in your highest quarter. The amounts get adjusted periodically but those are the current requirements for 2025.

Thanks for the correction! I was way off on those numbers.

That's exactly why I used Claimyr. Saved me hours of frustration trying to get through.

I might have to try that. This is ridiculous how hard it is to get basic information.

That's encouraging! I've been working about 20-25 hours per week. Hopefully my wages are high enough.

If you've been consistently working those hours for 8 months, you should be in good shape. Check your wage history online to be sure.

So if I only worked 8 months, does that automatically disqualify me?

Not necessarily. It depends on when you worked and how much you earned. The base period looks at completed quarters, so your recent work might not count if the quarter isn't finished yet.

totally agree, it's way too complicated for something so basic

The quarter system actually helps because it looks at a longer time period, so people who had seasonal work or gaps can still qualify if they worked enough overall.

How do you request the alternate base period? Do you have to ask for it specifically?

ESD is supposed to automatically check the alternate base period if you don't qualify under the regular one, but you can request it when you apply.

Washington eliminated the waiting week several years ago. You can collect benefits starting with your first eligible week, assuming your claim is approved.

oh thats good to know, thanks

I wouldn't lie, I just want to make sure I understand the requirements correctly before I apply.

How long did it take to get your monetary determination?

About 2 weeks, but that was during a busy period. Could be faster now.

I've never used WorkSourceWA before. Is that something I need to sign up for anyway if I get unemployment?

Yes, you'll need to register with WorkSourceWA as part of the job search requirements if you get approved for benefits.

How much did that cost? I'm already worried about money if I lose my job.

It was worth it to get actual answers instead of guessing. Much cheaper than missing out on benefits because I didn't understand the requirements.

Close! If you file in January 2025, your base year would be Q4 2023 through Q3 2024. They look at the first four of the last five completed quarters before you file.

Got it, that makes more sense. Thanks for explaining it clearly!

That's a good idea. I should be able to see quarterly earnings on my W2 or pay stubs.

That's not great advice. If you apply when you're not eligible, it can create issues later. Better to understand the requirements first.

fair point, i was just frustrated when i was trying to figure it out

Is there a cost for using that service?

There is a fee but it was worth it to me to actually get through and get my questions answered quickly.

What counts as 'no fault of your own'? I'm worried because I was only working part-time.

Being part-time doesn't matter as long as you were laid off or your hours were reduced through no fault of your own. If you quit or were fired for misconduct, that's different.

I'll check that out, thanks! That might help me see if it's worth applying.

How many job searches do you have to do each week?

I think it's 3 job search activities per week, but check the current requirements since they change sometimes.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I feel like I understand the requirements much better now.

That's a great suggestion. I'll look into getting that to double-check my earnings history.

It takes a few weeks to get it by mail but you can create an account on the Social Security website and view it online immediately.

What kind of restrictions would be a problem? I can work any shift but I don't have a car so I'm limited to jobs on the bus line.

Transportation limitations are usually okay as long as you're still actively looking for work within your accessible area. The main issues are things like only wanting to work certain days or refusing to consider full-time positions.

The maximum weekly benefit amount for 2025 is $999, but most people get much less than that. Your benefit amount is based on your earnings during your base year.

oh wow even higher than i thought

You'd need to work long enough to meet the wage requirements again in a new base year. So typically you'd need to work at least two quarters and earn the minimum amounts before you'd be eligible for a new claim.

That makes sense. So I should keep looking for stable work instead of just taking any temporary job.

That sounds really helpful! I'll definitely check that out before I potentially need to file.

Yeah it's a great tool to have some idea of where you stand before you actually lose your job.

When do you file the weekly claims? Is it every Sunday or something like that?

You can file starting Sunday for the previous week. Most people file Sunday or Monday to make sure they don't forget. Set a reminder on your phone!

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone! This thread has been super helpful. I feel much more prepared now if I do end up needing to file for unemployment.

Good luck! Remember to keep track of your wages and don't hesitate to file if you become unemployed. The Washington ESD system can be navigated successfully with the right information.