How long to qualify for unemployment in Washington ESD - confused about work requirements

It's not just about how long you worked, it's about your earnings during your base period. Washington ESD looks at the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. You need to have earned at least $3,850 in your base period and earned wages in at least 2 quarters. The work duration doesn't matter as much as meeting these earning thresholds.

I had the same confusion when I first applied. The base period thing is really confusing but basically you need enough earnings in that specific timeframe, not just any timeframe. If your regular base period doesn't work, Washington ESD can use your alternate base period which includes more recent work.

Since you're dealing with part-time work and inconsistent hours, you might want to try using Claimyr to get through to Washington ESD directly. I used their service at claimyr.com when I had questions about my eligibility and it saved me so much time. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way better than trying to call Washington ESD yourself and getting busy signals all day.

I think you're overthinking this! Just apply and see what happens. The worst they can say is no. I applied after only working for 6 months and got approved. Every situation is different.

The monetary requirements for 2025 are: minimum $3,850 in your base period, wages in at least 2 quarters of your base period, and your high quarter earnings must be at least 1.5 times your lowest quarter. There's also a requirement that your total base period wages must be at least 1.5 times your high quarter wages. It's more complex than just working for a certain amount of time.

Also keep in mind that if you do qualify, your weekly benefit amount will be based on your highest earning quarter. With part-time inconsistent work, your benefit amount might be pretty low. But something is better than nothing I guess.

Just wanted to add that even if you qualify monetarily, you still need to meet the non-monetary requirements. You have to be able to work, available for work, and actively searching for work. Since you mentioned part-time work, make sure you understand the job search requirements.

I'm in a similar situation and honestly the whole system is so confusing. I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks to get clarification but can never get through. It's frustrating when you just need basic information about eligibility.

Don't forget that there are different types of unemployment benefits too. Regular UI is what most people think of, but there's also standby if you're temporarily laid off with a return date. Make sure you're applying for the right type.

ugh this whole system is such a nightmare. I've been trying to figure out my eligibility for months and every time I think I understand it, I find more confusing requirements. Why can't they just make it simple?

I work in HR and deal with unemployment claims regularly. The 8 months of part-time work should be enough if your earnings meet the thresholds, but the inconsistent hours might hurt your benefit amount calculation. Document everything and be prepared to provide pay stubs going back to when you started.

One thing I learned the hard way - if you don't qualify now, you can reapply later when you have more work history. Your base period changes each quarter, so you might qualify in a few months even if you don't qualify now.

For anyone still struggling to get through to Washington ESD, I recently discovered Claimyr and it was a game changer. I was able to actually speak with someone about my specific situation instead of guessing about the requirements. Check out their demo video to see how it works.

Just apply online and see what happens. The worst case is they tell you that you don't qualify and you'll know for sure. The application process will walk you through everything and you can always call if you have questions after you apply.

Don't forget that you also need to register with WorkSourceWA if you get approved. That's another requirement they don't always make clear upfront.

The whole process is intimidating but it's not as bad as it seems once you get started. Just make sure you have all your employment information ready - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation.

One last tip - if you do get approved, make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week. Missing even one week can cause problems with your benefits. Set a reminder on your phone or whatever you need to do to stay on top of it.