How long do you need to work before you can collect unemployment in Washington?

Thanks! So it's not about how long you worked but about the quarters and wages earned? That's helpful to know.

Yeah, it's all about the quarters and wage amounts. I qualified even though I had worked at three different jobs during my base period.

That's good to know there's a backup option! I started my current job in March 2024, so I should have wages in multiple quarters by now.

The alternate base period saved me when I filed my claim. I barely missed qualifying with the standard base period but the alternate one worked perfectly.

Is that service legit? I've been burned by scam services before when I was looking for help with other government stuff.

Yeah it's legitimate. They don't ask for any personal info upfront - they just help you get connected to Washington ESD. I was skeptical too but it actually worked.

I used Claimyr too and it was worth it. Saved me from calling Washington ESD 50 times and getting busy signals.

Yes, part-time work counts the same as full-time work for meeting the wage requirements. It's all about the total wages you earned, not whether you worked full-time or part-time.

ok good thats a relief! thanks for clarifying that

Good point. I've heard some horror stories about people waiting too long to file and missing out on weeks of benefits.

Yep, I made that mistake. Waited two weeks thinking I'd find another job quickly. Lost out on those two weeks of benefits when I finally did file.

What are the job search requirements? I've heard they're pretty strict about that stuff.

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities. The contacts have to be legitimate job search efforts, not just browsing job boards.

The job search requirements can be a pain but they're not too bad if you stay organized. I just made a spreadsheet to track everything.

How long does it usually take to get through to someone at Washington ESD without using a service like that?

In my experience, anywhere from 45 minutes to 2+ hours, and that's if you don't get disconnected. Sometimes I'd call multiple times in a day and never get through.

That sounds frustrating! How did you figure out there was an error?

I had to request my full wage history and compare it to what they were using. Turned out one of my employers hadn't reported wages correctly to Washington ESD.

This is why it's important to check your wage history regularly, even when you're employed. Errors in employer reporting can mess up your eligibility later.

Yeah, I'm hoping I don't get laid off but if I do, at least I'll know I should qualify. Thanks for all the helpful info everyone!

That's reassuring. I've been working full-time since March so I should have plenty of wages in multiple quarters by now.

Definitely! And remember, it's better to file and find out you qualify than to assume you don't and miss out on benefits you're entitled to.

What's the difference between those two? I haven't heard about standby status before.

Standby is for people who are temporarily laid off and expect to return to the same job within a specific timeframe. Regular unemployment is for people who are fully separated from their job and actively looking for new work.

Yeah, standby has different job search requirements too. Much more limited than regular unemployment claims.

Exactly! I'd rather understand the process now while I'm not panicking about bills and job hunting.

Smart thinking. I wish I had researched this stuff before I needed it. Would have saved me a lot of stress and confusion.

Good advice. I'll definitely file right away if I need to. Thanks again everyone for all the helpful information!

No problem! This community is pretty good about helping people navigate the Washington ESD system. Feel free to ask if you have more questions down the road.