How long do you work to get unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

So if I started working in March 2024 and it's now January 2025, would I qualify? I'm confused about the calendar quarters part.

Yes, you should qualify. March 2024 would be Q1 2024, so you've worked through Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 of 2024. That's four quarters, so you meet the requirement.

That's right - you need to earn at least 1.5 times your weekly benefit amount in each of those quarters. So it's not just about working, but earning enough.

This is getting complicated. Is there an easier way to figure this out?

Never heard of that service. Does it actually work? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks.

Yeah it worked for me. Saved me from calling 50+ times a day. The agent was able to pull up my wage history and confirm I met the requirements.

What's the difference between those two base periods?

The standard base period gives Washington ESD more time to process wage reports from employers. The alternate base period includes more recent wages but might not have all employer reports processed yet.

I know it seems complicated, but it's because they need to account for seasonal workers, part-time workers, people with multiple jobs, etc. The quarter system is actually more fair than just saying 'X months.

i guess that makes sense but still annoying when you just want a simple answer

Yes, absolutely. You've worked through multiple quarters and your earnings are well above the minimum threshold. You'd qualify for benefits.

Just make sure to file your claim as soon as possible after losing your job. Benefits start from the week you file, not from when you became unemployed.

You'd need to add up your total earnings for the base year period. At $800/month for 12 months, that's $9,600 annually, which should exceed the $4,840 minimum if it's spread across the right quarters.

Good to know. I was worried part-time work wouldn't count.

It depends on whether you've worked enough since your last claim to establish a new benefit year. You'd need to have earned at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount in covered employment since your last claim started.

That's specific. How would I know my weekly benefit amount from before?

It should be in your Washington ESD account or on any correspondence from your previous claim. If you can't find it, you'd need to contact Washington ESD.

I tried that calculator but it seemed to want really specific information I didn't have readily available.

Yeah, you need your wage information from each quarter. If you don't have pay stubs, your employer should be able to provide that info.

That's exactly what I was worried about! So timing really matters.

Definitely. If you're close to the requirements, sometimes waiting a few weeks to file can make the difference between qualifying and not qualifying.

How much does something like that cost? Seems like it might be expensive.

I was worried about cost too, but considering how much time I was wasting trying to get through on my own, it was worth it to get a real answer quickly.

Actually, most states use similar quarter-based systems. It's designed to be more flexible for different types of workers and employment situations.

Still seems unnecessarily complicated for what should be a straightforward question.

What are the job search requirements? I haven't looked into that part yet.

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities. There are specific requirements about what counts as a valid job search contact.

Good to know. I'm hoping I won't need it but want to understand the process just in case.

Smart to research it ahead of time. When I got laid off, I had no idea how any of it worked and made some mistakes early on.

Yes, as long as the temp agency was paying into the unemployment insurance system and reporting your wages to Washington ESD. Most legitimate temp agencies do this.

good because ive had like 4 different temp assignments this year

Being fired can affect eligibility depending on the reason. If it was for misconduct, you might be disqualified. But if it was for poor performance or not being a good fit, you'd still qualify.

The line between those seems pretty subjective. How do they determine that?

Washington ESD will investigate by contacting both you and your former employer. They look at the specific circumstances and make a determination.

The quarter system actually makes more sense once you understand it. It accounts for the fact that some people make more money in fewer hours, or work seasonally, etc.

I guess but it definitely makes it harder to figure out if you qualify without doing a bunch of math.

That seems to be the consensus - talk to an actual person rather than trying to figure it out yourself.

Exactly. The automated systems and websites can only tell you so much. A real person can look at your specific situation and give you a definitive answer.

That's reassuring. I think I've been overthinking it.

Most people who are genuinely worried about qualifying actually do qualify. It's usually the people who don't think about it at all who run into problems.