How long to work for a company to get unemployment in Washington ESD?

Oh that's confusing. So even if I worked 6 months at this job, I might not qualify if I didn't work enough in previous quarters?

Exactly. You also need to have earned at least $3,850 total during your base period and at least $2,570 in your highest earning quarter. If you're a recent college grad with limited work history, you might not meet these requirements.

Never heard of that service before. Is it legit? I'm so frustrated trying to get through to Washington ESD myself.

Yeah it's totally legitimate. I was skeptical at first too but it actually worked. Way better than spending hours redialing the Washington ESD number.

It depends on how much you earned, not just how long you worked. Washington ESD looks at your total wages during the base period quarters. Part-time work for 8 months might actually give you more total earnings than 6 months full-time if you worked consistently.

I think you also have to be able and available for work and actively looking for a job to keep getting benefits. There's job search requirements too.

Good point about the misconduct thing. In my case it would be a layoff due to budget cuts so that should be fine right?

Yes, layoffs due to budget cuts or lack of work are typically considered qualifying separations for unemployment benefits.

You can call Washington ESD and ask them to look up your work history, but good luck getting through. I tried for weeks before someone suggested Claimyr to me.

What's Claimyr? Is that some kind of calling service?

Yeah, it helps you get through to Washington ESD agents when their phone lines are swamped. Saved me so much time and frustration.

There's a waiting week? So you don't get paid for the first week you're unemployed?

Correct. The first week of your claim is unpaid. It's called the waiting week and everyone has to serve it once per benefit year.

Same here! I've called probably 50 times in the past two weeks. The phone system is completely overwhelmed.

I had the same problem until I used Claimyr. They got me connected to an agent in like 20 minutes. Totally worth it when you need answers about your eligibility or claim status.

WorkSourceWA? Is that different from Washington ESD?

Yes, WorkSourceWA is the job search website you have to use. Washington ESD handles the unemployment claims but WorkSourceWA is where you document your job search activities.

You have to do at least 3 job search activities per week and log them in WorkSourceWA. It's a pain but required to keep getting benefits.

No, for regular unemployment insurance in Washington it's based on earnings, not hours. You might be thinking of a different program or a different state's requirements.

Oh okay, thanks for clarifying. There are so many different rules it's hard to keep track.

Good advice. How do you actually file? Is it online or do you have to call?

You can file online through the Washington ESD website. It's usually faster than trying to file by phone, especially with how busy their call center is.

That's good to know. I did work part-time in Oregon during college. Would that count?

Possibly, but you'd need to contact Washington ESD to see if you can combine those wages. The rules for interstate claims are pretty complex.

I feel you. I spent literally months trying to get my claim sorted out. The bureaucracy is insane.

That's why services like Claimyr are so helpful. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person who can look at your specific situation instead of trying to figure it out from the website.