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

You need to have earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period to qualify for unemployment in Washington. The base period is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim.

In Washington state, you need to have earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period (which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file). You also need to have earned at least $1,000 in your highest quarter and total base period wages of at least 1.25 times your highest quarter earnings.

In Washington state, you need to have worked in at least two quarters during your base period and earned at least $1,000 in your highest quarter. The base period is usually the first four of the last five completed quarters before you file your claim. So it's not necessarily a full year, but you do need earnings spread across multiple quarters.

i think you need to work for like 6 months or something but im not totally sure about the exact rules

The base period thing is confusing but basically Washington ESD looks at your earnings from about 6-18 months ago when you file your claim. If you just started working recently, you might want to wait a bit to build up more quarters of earnings.

You need to have earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period to qualify for Washington unemployment. The base period is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. You also need to have earned at least $1,000 in your highest quarter.

I had trouble figuring this out too when I first applied. The Washington ESD customer service line was completely jammed - I must have called 50 times over two weeks and never got through. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual person at Washington ESD. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that explains how it works. Really saved me a lot of frustration.

Here's what I wish someone had told me earlier: Washington ESD uses something called the 'alternate base period' if you don't qualify under the regular base period. The alternate base period uses more recent quarters, so if you've been working recently but not during the regular base period, you might still qualify.

The wage requirements change every year too. For 2025, I believe the minimum is still $1,000 in your highest quarter but you should double-check the current amounts on the Washington ESD website.

wait i thought you needed to work for like a year straight? i've been putting off filing because i figured i didn't qualify

What exactly is a quarter? Like 3 months?

You don't need a full year of work. Washington ESD looks at your base period which is usually the first 4 quarters of the last 5 quarters before you file. You need to have earned at least $1,056 in your highest quarter and total wages of at least $1,584 during the base period. The gap you mentioned shouldn't matter as long as you meet the wage requirements.

Just want to add that you also need to be unemployed through no fault of your own. Even if you meet the wage requirements, you won't qualify if you quit without good cause or were fired for misconduct.

I've been through this process twice now and the hardest part is always getting through to someone at Washington ESD to ask questions. The automated system only gives you basic info.

One thing that caught me off guard is that your weekly benefit amount is based on your earnings in your highest quarter, not your most recent job. So even if your last job paid less, your benefits might be higher if you had a better-paying job earlier in your base period.

I had the same question last year when I got laid off. The key thing is you need to look at your total wages during the base period, not just how long you worked. If you made enough money in those quarters, you should qualify even if it was part-time work.

I had this exact question when I got laid off last year. Spent hours trying to call Washington ESD to get a straight answer about my eligibility. The phone system is absolutely brutal - kept getting disconnected after waiting for hours. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a real person. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Game changer for dealing with Washington ESD's impossible phone system.

The system is so confusing! I tried calling Washington ESD multiple times to ask about this exact thing and could never get through. Their phone lines are always busy and when I do get in the queue, I get disconnected after waiting forever. Has anyone found a better way to actually talk to someone there?

Just to add to what was said above - if you worked part-time but consistently, you might actually qualify. Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your highest earning quarter. Even part-time work can build up sufficient wages if you worked enough hours over those quarters.

this whole system is so confusing why cant they just make it simple like if you worked 6 months you get benefits

Pro tip: If you're not sure whether you qualify, just apply anyway. Washington ESD will determine your eligibility based on their records, and there's no penalty for applying if you don't qualify.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you don't qualify now, you can always reapply later once you have more quarters of earnings. Your base period changes as time goes on.

Yes, a quarter is 3 months. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be January 2024 through December 2024. You need wages in at least 2 of those 4 quarters to qualify.

Ok that makes sense. I think I should qualify then since I've been working since May 2024.

The earnings requirement is the tricky part. You need to earn at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings during your entire base period. So if you made $4,000 in your best quarter, you'd need at least $6,000 total across all four quarters of your base period.

the requirements changed recently i think. used to be different amounts but now its more. washington esd keeps changing the rules

I had similar confusion when I first applied. The Washington ESD system is confusing but I found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent to verify my eligibility. You can check them out at claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that explains how it works. Really saved me hours of trying to call.

The work requirements aren't that complicated once you understand them. You need sufficient wages in your base period, which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. If you don't qualify under the regular base period, Washington ESD can sometimes use an alternate base period.

For what it's worth, Washington state has pretty reasonable unemployment eligibility compared to some other states. The wage requirements aren't super high if you've been working consistently.

ugh this whole system is so confusing!! why can't they just make it simple like "work X months, get benefits" instead of all this quarter math

There's also a minimum earnings requirement. You need to have earned at least $1,019 in your highest quarter during the base period. If you don't meet that, you won't qualify even if you worked in multiple quarters.

Don't forget about the alternative base period option. If you don't qualify under the standard base period, Washington ESD will automatically check if you qualify using the alternative base period, which uses the most recent four completed quarters. This can help people who recently started working.

Oh wow I didn't know about the dollar amount requirement. That's really specific.

I'm in a similar boat - been working part time for almost a year now. From what I understand, as long as you've been paying into the system through payroll taxes, you should qualify if you meet the wage requirements. The length of time working matters less than the total wages earned.

One thing to keep in mind is that when you do apply, Washington ESD will look at your work history to determine your weekly benefit amount. Even if you qualify, your benefits will be based on your earnings during the base period. Part-time wages typically mean lower weekly benefits.

ugh this system is so confusing why can't they just make it simple like work 6 months get benefits

Part-time workers can qualify too, right? I've been working 25 hours a week for the past 8 months.

What about gig work? I drive for rideshare companies - does that count toward unemployment eligibility?

I'd suggest creating your account on the Washington ESD website and looking at your wage history before you apply. That way you can see exactly what quarters you have wages in and calculate whether you meet the requirements.

I had trouble figuring this out too when I first applied. The Washington ESD phone system is impossible to get through to ask questions. I ended up using Claimyr.com to actually reach someone at Washington ESD who could explain my specific situation. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

You might want to use the Washington ESD benefit calculator online to see if you qualify before filing. It's not perfect but gives you a rough idea of your potential weekly benefit amount based on your wages.

I was in a similar situation last year. Part-time work for about 8 months then got laid off. I qualified even though I thought I wouldn't because I hadn't worked a full year. The key is those quarterly wages like others mentioned.

The whole system seems designed to keep people from getting benefits tbh. Like why make it so complicated with all these quarters and calculations?

just apply and see what happens. worst they can do is say no

For anyone still struggling to get answers from Washington ESD directly, I really can't recommend Claimyr enough. Saved me probably 20+ hours of trying to call. The peace of mind of actually talking to someone who could explain my specific situation was worth every penny.

My experience was that the hardest part wasn't figuring out if I qualified, but actually getting through the application process and reaching someone when I had questions. But once I got connected to the right person, they were very helpful in explaining everything.

I finally got through to Washington ESD about this topic using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. The agent confirmed that you need wages in at least two quarters of your base period, and those wages need to total at least $1,000 in your highest quarter. They also said you need to have earned at least 1.25 times your high quarter amount during your entire base period.

Never heard of that service before. Does it actually work?

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator tool that can help you figure out if you qualify and estimate your weekly benefit amount. Just search for 'unemployment benefit calculator' on their site.

Don't forget you also need to be able and available for work when you file. The work history requirements are just part of it - you also need to meet the ongoing eligibility requirements like job search.

Had to deal with this whole mess when I got laid off from my restaurant job. The thing that tripped me up was understanding which quarters counted in my base period. Make sure you know exactly when you're filing because that determines which quarters they look at for your wages.

My brother told me you need 680 hours of work but I can't find that anywhere on the Washington ESD website. Anyone know if that's accurate?

Does anyone know if gig work counts toward these wage requirements? I've been doing some DoorDash along with my part-time job.

The whole system is designed to make it hard to get benefits!! They make the requirements so confusing on purpose. I worked for 6 months and still didn't qualify because I didn't earn enough in the right quarters.

Pro tip: if you're close to qualifying but not quite there, you might want to wait a quarter before filing if you're still working. Sometimes the additional quarter of wages can make the difference.

I used Claimyr recently to get help with my unemployment questions too. Really worth it if you can't get through on your own. The Washington ESD phone lines are impossible otherwise.

Bottom line is you need sufficient wages in your base period, not just time worked. Part-time work can definitely qualify you as long as you meet the wage thresholds. Good luck with your situation!

Yeah it worked for me. Saved me hours of trying to call Washington ESD directly. The agent was able to pull up my account and explain exactly what quarters counted for my claim.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you also need to be able and available for work when you file. So even if you meet the earnings requirements, you still have to actively look for work and be ready to accept suitable employment.

Good point. I'm definitely looking for full-time work so that shouldn't be an issue.

Wait I thought you had to work for a full year before you could get unemployment? That's what my mom told me.

That's not correct. The requirement is based on quarters and earnings, not a full year of work.

Oh ok thanks for clarifying! Good to know I was wrong about that.

I've been working since March 2024 and just got approved for benefits last month. As long as you have wages in at least 2 quarters during your base period and meet the minimum earnings, you should be good.

That's encouraging! How long did it take for your claim to get approved?

About 2 weeks. I didn't have any issues that required adjudication though.

Don't forget that if you quit your job, you might not qualify even if you meet the work requirements. You generally have to be laid off or terminated through no fault of your own.

Yeah I was laid off so that shouldn't be a problem for me.

The exact amount for the minimum earnings requirement changes every year. In 2025 it's $1,019 in your highest quarter, but it was lower in previous years.

Where do you find the current year amounts? The Washington ESD website is so hard to navigate.

It's buried in their monetary determination section. I agree their website is terrible.

I wish they made this stuff easier to understand. I spent hours trying to figure out if I qualified before finally just applying and letting them tell me.

Same here! The whole system is so confusing for something that should be straightforward.

Yeah it really shouldn't be this complicated to figure out basic eligibility.

Pro tip: when you apply, Washington ESD will send you a monetary determination letter that shows exactly which quarters they're using and how much you earned in each one. That's the clearest way to see if you qualify.

That's really helpful to know. I'll watch for that letter when I apply.

There are also alternate base period rules if you don't qualify under the regular base period. Sometimes using the alternate base period can help you qualify if you started working more recently.

What's the alternate base period?

It's the last four completed quarters instead of the first four of the last five. So more recent work history.

I used Claimyr too after seeing it mentioned here before. Really helpful for getting through to Washington ESD when you need to ask specific questions about your claim. Worth checking out if you run into issues.

How much does it cost?

I don't remember the exact cost but it was reasonable considering how much time it saved me. Way better than spending all day trying to call Washington ESD.

Just make sure all your employers are correctly listed when you file. Sometimes Washington ESD doesn't have complete wage records and you might need to provide pay stubs to prove you meet the requirements.

Good advice. I'll make sure to keep my pay stubs handy when I apply.

The key thing is don't assume you don't qualify without checking. I thought I didn't have enough work history but it turned out I did. The Washington ESD system will calculate it all for you when you apply.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I feel much more confident about applying now.

Good luck with your claim!

Hope it goes smoothly for you!

I qualified after working just 4 months at my last job, but I had worked the year before that too. It really depends on when you file and what your base period looks like.

does anyone know what happens if you're right on the borderline of qualifying? like if you're just a few dollars short of the earnings requirement?

The Washington ESD website has all this info but honestly it's written in such confusing government language. I wish they'd just have examples for different situations.

Had to file for unemployment three times over the years and each time I was surprised by which of my previous jobs counted. The quarter system catches work you might have forgotten about.

My advice: don't wait to file if you think you might qualify. The worst they can do is say no, and you might be surprised. I thought I didn't have enough work history but ended up qualifying.

Question about the base period - does it matter if you worked for multiple employers during those quarters or just one?

Still think the easiest way to get real answers is to talk to an actual person at Washington ESD. That Claimyr service mentioned earlier actually works - used it last month when I couldn't figure out my benefit calculation. Worth checking out if you're tired of the phone runaround.

Bottom line: if you've been working consistently for 6+ months with decent wages, you'll probably qualify. The system is designed to help people who've been contributing to the unemployment insurance program through their payroll taxes.

Just wanted to confirm what others said about Claimyr - I used them last month when I couldn't get through to Washington ESD about my claim status. Definitely legit and worth it if you're having trouble reaching an agent.

Another thing to consider - if you quit your job versus being laid off, that affects eligibility too. The work requirements are the same but voluntary quit can disqualify you unless you had good cause.

The Washington ESD website has a section called 'Am I Eligible' that walks through all the requirements. Might be worth checking that out along with calculating your potential benefits.

Make sure you apply as soon as possible after your last day of work. There's no waiting period in terms of when you can file, and you want to get your claim date established.

One more tip - when you file online, have all your employer information ready including dates of employment and reason for separation. Makes the application process much smoother.

Also worth mentioning that if your claim gets denied initially, you can appeal. Sometimes there are issues with wage reporting that can be corrected.

I remember being so stressed about whether I qualified when I first applied. Turns out I was overthinking it - the system is designed to help people who've been working, even if it's not full-time or for a super long period.

For what it's worth, I had gaps in employment too and still qualified. The base period calculation accounts for that - it's really about the wages you earned during the quarters that count, not continuous employment.

Final thought - keep track of all your job search activities from day one if you do get approved. Washington ESD can audit your job search log, so it's important to document everything properly.

This thread has been super helpful! I was wondering about work requirements too. Sounds like the 8 months of consistent part-time work should be enough if the wages meet the minimums.

One last thing I'll add - if you worked for multiple employers during your base period, make sure Washington ESD has wage information from all of them. Sometimes there are delays in reporting that can affect your benefit calculation.

Just wanted to follow up on the Claimyr service I mentioned earlier - definitely recommend it if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your eligibility or any other questions. Way better than trying to get through on your own.