How long you have to be working to get unemployment benefits in Washington ESD

It's not just about how long you worked - Washington ESD looks at your earnings during your base period. You need to have earned at least $3,850 in your base period AND have worked in at least two quarters of that base period. The base period is usually the first four of the last five completed quarters before you file your claim.

I had this same question last year and it was confusing! You also need to have earned at least $1,925 in your highest earning quarter. So it's not just total earnings but also how much you made in your best quarter. I barely qualified because I had one really good quarter where I worked overtime.

If you're having trouble figuring out if you qualify or need help getting through to Washington ESD to check your wage history, there's a service called Claimyr that helps people get connected to ESD agents. I used it when I couldn't get through on the phone - they have a system that calls for you. Check out claimyr.com and they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helped me get my questions answered without sitting on hold for hours.

Don't forget that if you don't qualify for regular UI, you might still be eligible for other programs. But the basic requirement is really about having enough wages reported by employers who paid into the unemployment system. If you worked under the table or as a true independent contractor, that usually doesn't count.

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! i worked for like 10 months but only made like $15k total because minimum wage sucks. really hope that's enough

I think there's also something about having to work in at least two different quarters, not just earn money in two quarters. So if you worked January through August, that would cover Q1, Q2, and Q3 which should be fine.

The alternative base period can sometimes help if you don't qualify under the regular base period. They look at the four most recently completed quarters instead of the first four of the last five. This helped my sister who had just started working again after being out of the workforce.

Just to add - military service can also count toward your work history for unemployment purposes. And if you're a federal employee, you might be covered under a different system. But for most regular jobs in Washington, it's all about meeting those wage and quarter requirements.

When I was trying to figure this out for myself, I kept getting the runaround from Washington ESD phone lines. Someone on here recommended Claimyr and it actually worked - they got me through to someone who could explain my specific situation. Worth checking out if you're getting frustrated with the phone system.

Pro tip: if you're close to the minimum requirements, try to delay filing your claim by a week or two if possible. Sometimes waiting a bit can push you into a better base period with higher earnings. But don't wait too long because there are time limits on when you can file after becoming unemployed.

The whole thing is designed to be confusing if you ask me. I worked for 14 months and still had to appeal my initial denial because they said I didn't have enough wages in the right quarters. Turned out to be an error on their end but took months to sort out.

If you're really unsure about your eligibility, just file the claim anyway. The worst they can do is deny it, and then you'll know for sure where you stand. Sometimes people think they don't qualify but actually do because they forgot about a job or didn't realize how much they earned.

One more thing - if you quit your job, the work history requirements are the same but you also have to prove you had good cause for quitting. If you were laid off or fired (not for misconduct), then you just need to meet the wage requirements.

BTW, when you do file your claim, make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months ready. They'll ask for details about every job you had during the base period.

I've been through this process twice now and the hardest part is always getting through to someone at Washington ESD when you have questions. That Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier really does help with that - I used it for my second claim when I needed to update my information.