How many hours do I need for Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

Oh that makes more sense! So it's based on how much I earned, not how many hours I put in?

Exactly! As long as you made enough money during those quarters, the specific number of hours per week doesn't matter for initial eligibility.

You're thinking of the alternative base period calculation. If you don't meet the wage requirement in the regular base period, Washington ESD can look at an alternative base period. But the main qualification is still based on earnings, not hours.

Ah okay, that must have been what happened in my case then. Thanks for clarifying!

That sounds helpful! I've tried calling Washington ESD before and it's impossible to get through.

Is that legit? I'm always skeptical of third-party services for government stuff.

Yeah it's real, they just help you get connected to actual Washington ESD staff. I was able to get my questions answered about my base period wages when I couldn't reach anyone through the regular phone line.

Good to know! I've been working both jobs consistently so I should have wages in multiple quarters.

Yeah that's the two-quarter rule. It prevents people from working just one really high paying gig and then claiming unemployment.

Hours only matter for your weekly claims once you're receiving benefits. For initial eligibility, it's all about the dollar amount you earned during your base period.

ok so if i made like $15,000 last year working full time i should be good right?

Most likely yes, but Washington ESD will calculate based on your base period quarters, not the full calendar year.

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs?

Applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, skills training, updating your resume - there's a list of approved activities on the Washington ESD website.

Don't forget you also have to register with WorkSource if you haven't already!

That's good to know since I might keep one of my part-time jobs even if I lose the other one.

Yeah but be careful with the reporting. If you mess up reporting your part-time wages you could end up with an overpayment situation.

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr. Worth checking out if you're having trouble reaching them.

I might have to try that. This is ridiculous that we need a third party service just to talk to our own state agency.

Tell me about it. I waited on hold for 4 hours yesterday just to get disconnected.

That's smart. I should probably gather all my pay stubs and do the math myself.

Yeah, just remember it's the first four of the last five completed quarters, not the most recent four quarters. That trips people up sometimes.

What if I get laid off from one job but quit the other? Does that disqualify me completely?

Not necessarily, but they'll review the circumstances of why you quit. If you had good cause (like unsafe working conditions or significant changes to your job), you might still qualify.

This is why it's so important to document everything if you're having issues with an employer.

How long did it take for your claim to get approved?

About 5 weeks total, but 3 of those weeks were just waiting for employer responses. Once they had all the info it moved pretty quickly.

Is there a minimum weekly benefit amount in Washington?

Yes, currently it's $295 per week minimum and $999 maximum, but those amounts can change yearly.

True, but it's good to have an idea beforehand so you're not disappointed if you don't qualify.

fair point, better to know ahead of time

Unfortunately neither of my jobs are union positions, but that's good advice for others who might be reading this.

This is the best advice in this whole thread. Just be honest and thorough in your application.

Thanks everyone! This has been really helpful. I feel much more confident about understanding the requirements now.