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

So if I started working in March and it's now November, would I have enough quarters? I'm still confused about how they calculate this.

If you started in March and it's November, you'd likely have earnings in Q1 (March), Q2 (April-June), and Q3 (July-September). As long as you earned at least $1,000 total AND at least $1,000 in two separate quarters, you should meet the basic requirements.

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

Not really, but I did have to wait for them to verify my employment history. Took about 2 weeks to get my first payment.

Is that legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days and keep getting busy signals.

Yeah it's real - they basically call for you and get you connected to an actual person at ESD. Saved me hours of trying to get through on my own.

How do I calculate my average quarterly earnings? Do I add up all my earnings and divide by 4?

You add up your earnings from your two highest-earning quarters in the base period, then divide by 2. That gives you your average quarterly wage for benefit calculation purposes.

Don't forget you also have to meet the job search requirements once you start collecting. That's 3 job search activities per week unless you're on standby.

The base period can be tricky. If your recent earnings aren't included in the standard base period, you might be able to use an alternate base period that includes more recent quarters.

how do i ask for that alternate base period thing? nobody told me about that option

You can request it when you file your initial claim, or contact Washington ESD if you've already filed. They'll recalculate using the alternate base period if it results in a valid claim.

You're thinking of the SharedWork program or maybe some other state's requirements. Washington's regular unemployment insurance is based on earnings, not hours worked.

ah ok that makes sense, thanks for clarifying!

Yes, you can combine wages from multiple states. You'd file an interstate claim and Washington ESD would coordinate with Oregon to get your wage information.

Good to know, thanks! The interstate stuff seemed really complicated when I was reading about it.

That's exactly the kind of situation where Claimyr really helps - when you need to talk to someone at ESD about specific account issues but can't get through the phone system.

Yeah I wish I had known about that service when I was dealing with the wage verification mess. Would have saved me so much time.

What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? I'm thinking about leaving my job but don't want to mess up my eligibility.

Good cause includes things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, significant changes to your job duties or pay, or compelling family reasons. But it's pretty specific - you should document everything if you're considering quitting.

I felt the same way when I was trying to navigate it all. The eligibility requirements are actually pretty straightforward once you understand them, but the way they explain it on the website is needlessly complicated.

exactly! like why can't they just say 'you need to work X months and earn Y dollars' instead of all this base period quarterly nonsense

Good advice! I should probably start keeping better track of my pay stubs and work history.

Definitely! And take screenshots of your online wage statements too. Sometimes employers' records don't match what you actually earned.

That's really helpful to know! I was worried that being part-time would hurt my chances.

Nope, they don't care if you worked full-time or part-time. It's all about meeting those dollar amounts in the base period.

There aren't really exceptions for recent graduates in the regular unemployment program. You still need to meet the same base period earnings requirements regardless of your work history.

Makes sense I guess, but seems tough for people just starting their careers.

Yeah that's what I was thinking too! This thread has been really helpful in understanding the actual requirements.

Glad it helped! I wish someone had explained it to me this clearly when I was trying to figure it out.

That's a good point - I was worried about applying if I wasn't sure I qualified.

Yeah, better to apply and find out than to assume you don't qualify and miss out on benefits you're entitled to.

I might have to try that if I need to talk to someone about my specific earnings situation. Thanks for the recommendation!

No problem! It's definitely worth it when you need to talk to someone who can look at your actual account and give you real answers.