How long working to get unemployment benefits in Washington - confused about work requirements

It's not about how long you worked at one job - Washington ESD looks at your base period earnings. The base period is usually 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 meet some other wage requirements.

I was in a similar situation last year. Had a job for 7 months, got laid off, and still qualified for unemployment. The key is having enough wages in your base period quarters, not continuous employment.

Actually, if you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to get clarification on your specific situation, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to an agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helped me when I couldn't get through on my own.

WASHINGTON ESD REQUIREMENTS ARE SO CONFUSING!!! I spent 3 hours on their website trying to figure this out when I got laid off. Why can't they just give you a simple yes or no answer about eligibility?

Quick answer - you need wages in at least 2 quarters of your base period. The gap you mentioned probably won't matter as long as you earned enough before and after it.

I qualified with only 4 months of work but I had a really high paying job so I hit the wage requirements quickly. It's all about the money you earned, not the time you worked.

Just apply and see what happens. Worst case they say no and you appeal if you think they're wrong. The Washington ESD system will tell you if you qualify or not based on your wage history.

One more thing - if you do apply and run into issues with adjudication or need to talk to someone at Washington ESD, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really does work. I was stuck in adjudication for weeks and couldn't get through to anyone until I used their service.

been working for 2 years straight and still got denied because of some technicality with my last employer. the system is broken

For what it's worth, I think the 8 months you worked plus whatever you had before the gap should be enough. The base period calculation usually works in your favor if you've been working consistently.

Don't forget you also have to be able and available for work and actively looking for a job. The work history is just one part of the requirements.

The whole system is designed to deny people benefits. They make it so complicated that half the people who qualify don't even bother applying.

OP, based on what you described I think you'll probably qualify. 8 months of recent work plus whatever you had before should meet the wage requirements. Just make sure to file right away if you lose your job - there's a waiting period anyway.

My sister used that Claimyr thing someone mentioned and said it was a lifesaver. She'd been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about her claim and got through in like 20 minutes with their help.

Bottom line is you won't know for sure until you apply. All this speculation is fine but Washington ESD will tell you definitively based on your actual wage records.

I had a similar work history gap and still qualified. The key is having enough wages in your base period quarters, not continuous employment. Your 8 months should be fine.

Final advice - gather all your employment records now while you still have access to everything. Makes the application process much smoother if you ever need to file.

hope you never need it but good to know you'd probably qualify. unemployment saved me when I got laid off unexpectedly

Update us if you end up applying! Always curious how these situations work out for people.

Just remember if you do file and need help reaching Washington ESD for any reason, services like Claimyr exist to help with that frustration. The video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ shows exactly how they help people get through to agents.