How long do you need to work to qualify for unemployment in Washington?

The work requirement in Washington isn't based on how long you worked at one job - it's about your total earnings in what they call your 'base period'. You need to have earned at least $1,760 in your base period to qualify for benefits.

I think there's also something about needing to work in at least two quarters? Not just the total dollar amount but you need to have worked in multiple quarters during that base period.

I was in a similar situation last year - couldn't get through to Washington ESD to clarify my eligibility. Spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have this video demo that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Made the whole process so much easier than trying to call on my own.

ok so let me get this straight... you dont need to work at the same job for a specific time period? because i thought you had to work somewhere for like 6 months minimum

The system is set up so backwards though. Like why can't they just say 'work X number of weeks' instead of all this base period quarter calculation nonsense? Most people have no idea what quarter they're in or how much they made 18 months ago.

So based on what everyone's saying, since I worked 8 months at my previous job last year plus 2 months at my current job, I should qualify if I get laid off? Assuming I made enough money obviously.

Your employer reports your wages to Washington ESD quarterly, so they should have all that information. When you file a claim, they'll calculate it automatically based on their records.

What if you don't meet the base period requirements? Are you just out of luck?

yeah this happened to my cousin, she didnt qualify with the regular base period but qualified with the alternate one because shed been working more recently

Just want to follow up on the Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier - I used them again recently when I had questions about my weekly claim requirements. Really takes the stress out of trying to reach Washington ESD directly. The phone system there is just brutal to navigate on your own.

One thing to keep in mind is that even if you qualify financially, you still need to meet all the other requirements - like being able and available for work, actively seeking work, etc. The wage requirement is just the first hurdle.

Also worth mentioning - if you quit your job you probably won't qualify unless you had good cause. The wage requirements only matter if you were laid off or fired without misconduct.

I learned all this the hard way when I got laid off in 2023. Thought I wouldn't qualify because I'd only been at my job for 4 months, but it turned out my wages from my previous jobs counted toward the base period. Got approved no problem.

Still think they should just publish a simple chart showing 'if you worked X hours and made $X over the past year, you qualify.' All this base period calculation stuff is unnecessarily complicated.

Does anyone know if gig work counts toward the wage requirements? Like Uber, DoorDash, freelance work?

For anyone dealing with confusing eligibility questions like this, I really can't recommend Claimyr enough. Instead of spending hours trying to decipher the rules online or waiting on hold, you can actually talk to someone at Washington ESD who can look at your specific situation. Game changer for me.

Bottom line for the original poster - if you worked 8 months last year plus 2 months this year, and you were a regular employee (not contractor), you almost certainly meet the wage requirements. The bigger question would be whether you were laid off vs quit, and whether you can meet the ongoing job search requirements.

just to add one more thing - when you do file (if you need to), file as soon as possible after losing your job. there's no waiting period to file and you cant get back pay for weeks you didnt file

This thread has been super helpful! I was in the same boat wondering about eligibility requirements. Glad to know it's more about total earnings than length of employment at one job.