How long must you work to get unemployment benefits in Washington state?

You need to have worked in at least two quarters during your base period and earned at least $4,000 total. The base period is usually the first four of the last five completed quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, they'd look at quarters from July 2023 through June 2024.

i think its different now because of covid changes? my friend got unemployment last year with only 6 months of work

I had this exact situation last year. The key thing is they look at your work history over a specific 12-month period, not just recent work. I had worked for 10 months, then was unemployed for 2 months, then worked again for 6 months before getting laid off. Even with that gap, I qualified because my total earnings were high enough across multiple quarters. If you're worried about qualifying, you can actually call Washington ESD and they'll tell you if you have enough work credits, but good luck getting through on the phone.

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator where you can check if you qualify before filing. Just search for 'unemployment benefit calculator' on their site.

MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE BASE PERIOD! This trips up so many people. If you file today, they don't look at your most recent work - they look at a period that ended months ago. It's super confusing and Washington ESD does a terrible job explaining it.

To directly answer your question: In Washington, you need to have worked and earned wages in at least 2 quarters during your base period, with total earnings of at least $4,000 and at least $1,005 in your highest quarter. Your 8 months of work should definitely be enough if you were earning decent wages.

can you work part time and still get unemployment? or does it have to be full time work to qualify

I'm in a similar boat but I've been trying to get someone at Washington ESD on the phone to verify my work history before I file. It's been impossible to reach anyone. The automated system just hangs up on me after being on hold forever.

One thing to watch out for - if you quit your job you might not qualify even if you have enough work history. Unemployment is generally for people who lose their job through no fault of their own.

Also remember you have to be able to work and available for work while collecting unemployment. And you have to do job searches every week. It's not just about having worked enough in the past.

just applied for unemployment last month and it was way easier than i expected once i figured out the work history requirements

The work requirements haven't changed much over the years. Two quarters of work with $4k total earnings and $1,005 in your highest quarter. That's been the standard for quite a while now.

If you're really unsure about qualifying, you can always just file and see what happens. The worst they can do is deny you, and then you'd know for sure.

For what it's worth, 8 months of steady work should definitely put you over the minimum requirements unless you were making very little money. The requirements are designed to ensure people have a substantial work history, but they're not unreasonably high.

Update: I finally got through to someone at Washington ESD using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. They confirmed I have enough work credits to qualify. Definitely worth it to avoid the phone runaround.

I work in HR and deal with unemployment claims regularly. The Washington work requirements are pretty standard compared to other states. If you've been working steadily for 8 months you almost certainly qualify.

remember you also need to have lost your job through no fault of your own AND be able and available for work. the work history is just one piece of qualifying

The base period thing is so confusing. I wish Washington ESD would explain it better on their website. I had to call like 3 times before I understood which quarters they were looking at.

Bottom line for the original poster: With 8 months of work at $3,200/month, you definitely meet Washington's work requirements for unemployment. You'd have well over the $4,000 minimum and easily exceed the $1,005 requirement for your highest quarter. The gap in your work history before your current job shouldn't matter as long as your current work falls within the base period when you file.

glad this got sorted out! unemployment rules can be so confusing but this forum always has good info