How long to work before collecting Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

So it's not about how long I work but how much I earn? That's confusing because I thought it was about working a certain number of weeks.

Exactly - it's wage-based, not time-based. But you also need wages in at least two quarters of your base period to establish a valid claim.

That's a common misconception. Washington ESD looks at your earnings pattern over 4 quarters, not consecutive months of work. You could work 2 weeks in one quarter and 3 months in another and still qualify if you meet the wage requirements.

oh wow ok that makes more sense then. thanks for clearing that up

How much does that service cost? I'm already tight on money and don't want to pay a bunch of fees.

It's worth it when you consider how much time you save not sitting on hold for hours. Plus if you can't get your questions answered, you might file incorrectly and create bigger problems.

I've heard mixed things about these call services. Are they legit or just another way to take advantage of unemployed people?

This is getting really complicated. Is there an easy way to figure out if I have enough wages without calling Washington ESD?

You can check your quarterly wage reports on the Secure Access Washington (SAW) website, but interpreting them for eligibility can be tricky. The base period calculation shifts with each new quarter.

Wait - if you QUIT your job, you won't be eligible for unemployment benefits regardless of how much you've earned. You have to be laid off or terminated through no fault of your own.

oh crap really? what if the job is terrible and they're making me do stuff that wasn't in the job description?

That could potentially qualify as 'good cause' for quitting, but Washington ESD is pretty strict about it. You'd need solid documentation of the changed working conditions.

What kind of fight did you have to put up? I'm worried about getting denied for some technicality.

They initially said I didn't have enough wages in my base period, but it turned out their system hadn't updated with my most recent employer's reports. Took forever to get it straightened out.

So if I made $2,000 total but it was all in one quarter, I wouldn't qualify?

Correct - you need wages spread across at least two quarters. Washington ESD wants to see a pattern of employment, not just a single large payment.

that seems kinda unfair for people who do seasonal work or contract jobs

If you file in Q1 2025 (Jan-Mar), your base period would be Q1 2024 through Q4 2024. Employers have to report wages quarterly, so there can be delays. If recent wages aren't showing up, you might need to provide pay stubs.

What if those missing wages would make me eligible? Do I have to wait for them to show up in the system?

You can request an 'alternate base period' that uses more recent quarters if the standard base period doesn't give you enough wages. But you have to specifically ask for this.

That's exactly why so many people get surprised when they file. The wage and quarter requirements are completely different from what most people assume.

Yeah, I was shocked when I learned about the base period calculation. That's actually when I ended up using Claimyr to talk to someone who could explain it properly. Much easier than trying to decode all the Washington ESD website information.

Exactly! Your current job wages won't be part of the base period calculation. But they could affect your eligibility if you quit or were fired for misconduct.

That's actually a relief. I was worried I'd have to work here for months before being eligible again.

Just make sure you actually have enough wages in that earlier base period. You can check your wage history on the SAW website to be sure.

Generally no, because gig workers are considered independent contractors, not employees. You'd need to have been paying into the unemployment system as a covered worker.

Damn, so all that DoorDash money from last year doesn't help me at all if I lose my regular job?

Not for regular unemployment benefits. There were special pandemic programs for gig workers, but those have ended.

This is exactly what I'm worried about. Is there any way to check beforehand if you'll qualify?

You can do a rough calculation using your wage statements, but Washington ESD's system sometimes has discrepancies. The safest bet is to call and verify, though good luck getting through.

That's why services like Claimyr exist - they cut through the phone wait times so you can actually talk to someone who can give you definitive answers about your specific situation.

The wage-based system is supposed to be more fair because it accounts for different pay rates and work schedules. Someone working part-time for 6 months might earn less than someone working full-time for 2 months.

i guess that makes sense but it's still confusing as hell

Which callback service did you use? I'm seeing a few different ones advertised.

I used the Claimyr one that someone mentioned earlier. Worked pretty well - got connected to an actual Washington ESD agent within like 20 minutes instead of waiting hours.

No, unemployment benefits don't count as wages for future claims. Only wages from covered employment count toward the $1,847 minimum requirement.

So if I was unemployed for 6 months last year, that really hurts my chances of qualifying again?

It depends on when you were unemployed and when you worked. The base period covers 4 quarters, so unemployment in one quarter doesn't necessarily disqualify you if you had enough wages in the other quarters.

Same here! I'm going to check my wage history on the SAW website tomorrow and see where I stand.

Good plan. And remember, if you do need to file a claim, make sure you understand all the ongoing requirements too - job search, weekly claims, etc. The eligibility is just the first step.

The job search requirements aren't too bad if you stay organized. You need to make 3 job contacts per week and log them in WorkSourceWA. Just keep good records of your applications.

3 per week doesn't sound too terrible i guess. better than some states i've heard about

How would I know if I qualify for any of those other programs?

Most of them have very specific eligibility requirements. Best bet is to ask when you file your claim or call Washington ESD directly.

Or use a service to get through to someone who can review all your options. I found out about a training program I didn't even know existed when I talked to an agent through Claimyr.

That's great! It's always better to know ahead of time rather than find out when you're already stressed about losing a job.

glad it worked out for you! this thread definitely taught me a lot too

Perfect example of why it's worth understanding the system before you need it. Hope your current job works out, but at least you know where you stand if it doesn't.