How many hours a week to qualify for unemployment - Washington ESD requirements

It's not really about hours per week - Washington ESD looks at your total earnings over the base period, which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. You need to have earned at least $5,265 in your base period and at least $1,755 in your highest earning quarter to qualify financially.

The other thing to consider is that if you lose just one of your part-time jobs, you might be eligible for partial unemployment benefits. Washington ESD has provisions for people who have their hours reduced or lose one of multiple jobs. You'd still need to meet the earnings requirements the previous poster mentioned, but you could potentially get some benefits even while still working the other job.

I was in a similar situation last year and had trouble getting through to Washington ESD to verify my eligibility. If you need to talk to someone about your specific situation, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually reach an ESD agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Really saved me from spending hours on hold trying to get answers.

WAIT I thought you had to work at least 32 hours a week to qualify??? I've been telling people they can't get unemployment if they're part time. Am I wrong about this?

Just to clarify the earnings requirement more specifically: in 2025, you need $5,265 total in your base period AND at least $1,755 in your highest quarter. The base period is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would likely be October 2023 through September 2024.

btw if you do qualify and file for UI, you'll need to complete your weekly claims every week and do job search activities. The job search requirement is 3 job search activities per week unless you're on standby with your employer.

This whole system is ridiculous. I worked 25 hours a week for two years and when I got laid off they made me jump through all these hoops to prove I was 'available for full time work' even though my employer specifically hired me part time!

Quick question - does it matter if your part-time jobs are in different industries? Like if one is retail and one is office work?

I've been following this thread and it's really helpful. I'm in almost the exact same situation - working two part-time jobs and worried about what would happen if I lost one. Going to check my earnings against those requirements mentioned earlier.

One more thing to keep in mind - if you do lose one job and file for partial UI, your weekly benefit amount will be calculated based on your total earnings during the base period, but then reduced by any wages you earn from your remaining job. There's a formula they use but basically you can earn up to a certain amount before it affects your benefits.

Has anyone had issues with Washington ESD questioning whether part-time workers are really 'able and available' for full-time work? I'm worried they might think I prefer part-time since I've been doing it for a while.

This thread is exactly what I needed! I've been stressing about this for weeks. Working 20 hours at one job and 18 at another, so similar situation. Sounds like as long as I've earned enough money overall I should qualify.

If anyone needs to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD about their specific situation, that Claimyr service mentioned earlier really does work. I used it last month when I had questions about my base period calculation. Much easier than trying to get through on your own.

Just want to add that if you're working for temp agencies or doing gig work, make sure those earnings are actually reported to Washington ESD. Sometimes that income doesn't count toward your base period if it's not properly reported as covered employment.

Thanks everyone for all the info in this thread! Really cleared up my confusion about the work requirements. Seems like the key thing is having enough total earnings in your base period, not how many hours per week you worked.