How long do you need to work at a job to collect Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

So it's based on earnings, not just time worked? That's actually helpful because I make decent money at my current job.

Exactly! And your previous job from last year would count toward those earnings too, as long as it falls within the base period when you file.

That's a common misconception! There's no 12-month requirement. It's all about meeting the earnings thresholds during the base period.

Well that changes things for me... I might actually look into this more seriously now.

Thanks! I'll check that out if I need to file a claim. It would be great to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD instead of just guessing.

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

It's worth checking out their site for current info. For me, it was worth it just to get peace of mind about my claim status.

Yeah, in my case it would be a layoff due to downsizing, so I think I'd be okay on that front.

Even if you quit, there are some situations where you can still qualify - like if your employer changed your working conditions significantly or if you had to quit for health reasons.

If you made $15k over 2 years and it was spread out, you might still qualify depending on when exactly you worked and how much you made in each quarter. The earnings requirements aren't super high.

oh really? maybe i should look into this more then

I didn't know about the calculator! I'll definitely try that out. Did it seem accurate when you actually filed?

It was pretty close to what I actually got approved for. Good for planning purposes at least.

That's good to know! Since most of my work has been recent, that might actually help me.

Great point about the alternate base period. A lot of people don't know about that option.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - it cuts through all that phone frustration. You shouldn't have to spend weeks trying to reach them.

yeah i saw that, might have to try it if i have issues again

How many job applications do you have to do per week? I want to make sure I understand all the requirements.

I think it's 3 job search activities per week, but you should verify that with Washington ESD since requirements can change.

That's reassuring to hear from someone who's been through the process recently. Thanks!

How long did it take for your claim to get approved? I keep hearing horror stories about adjudication taking forever.

Mine was pretty straightforward, took about 2 weeks. But I know some people have more complicated situations that take longer.

This is where services like Claimyr really help. My sister used them when she couldn't get through to Washington ESD and got connected the same day. Sometimes it's worth paying a little to avoid the headache.

Yeah I might have to look into that if I need to call them again. The regular phone system is basically useless.

Good point! I'll definitely start online if I need to file. Seems less stressful than trying to call.

The online system is pretty user-friendly too. Just make sure you have all your employment info ready before you start.

Contract work generally doesn't count toward UI eligibility unless you paid into the system as self-employed. Regular W-2 employment is what typically qualifies you.

Ah okay, that's what I thought. Most of mine was W-2 anyway so should be fine.

Glad it helped you too! This forum is great for getting real information from people who've actually been through it.

Same here, lots of good info in this thread. Bookmarking it for future reference.