How many hours do you have to work to qualify for unemployment in Washington?

Thanks! So even if I only worked part-time, as long as I earned enough money I could still qualify?

Exactly! The state cares about your wages, not your hours. Plus since your hours got cut, you might qualify for partial unemployment benefits even while still working those 10 hours.

Nope, it's all about wages earned. I worked multiple part-time jobs and still qualified when I got laid off. Washington ESD has pretty flexible requirements compared to some other places.

thats actually really good to know, thank you!

I have most of them but not all. Do I need every single pay stub or will Washington ESD have my wage information already?

Washington ESD gets wage reports from employers quarterly, so they should have most of your information. But it's good to have your own records just in case there are discrepancies.

Really? I've been trying to call for days and can never get through. Does it actually work?

Yeah it worked for me. I was able to get my questions answered about my base period wages and they helped clarify my eligibility. Much less frustrating than the regular phone system.

I'm always skeptical of these third-party services but honestly if it gets you to an actual Washington ESD rep, might be worth it. The phone system is absolutely broken.

I feel you. It's ridiculous how hard they make it to get help.

The system definitely has issues, but once you understand the wage requirements it's pretty straightforward. Focus on calculating your base period earnings first.

That's really helpful. I was making about $15/hour so I think I meet the earnings requirement. Should I apply right away or wait to see if my hours get increased again?

Apply as soon as possible. There's a waiting period anyway, and if your hours go back up you can always close your claim. Don't wait because benefits are retroactive only from when you file.

How do I figure out what my base period is exactly? I'm getting confused by all the quarter stuff.

If you file today, your base period would be January 2024 through December 2024. Washington ESD uses the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you apply.

Because wages are a better measure of attachment to the workforce. Someone could work 40 hours at minimum wage or 20 hours at a high-paying job - the wage system is more equitable.

i guess that makes sense when you put it that way

Good point. My employer said it was due to 'business needs' so it definitely wasn't my choice.

Perfect, that should work in your favor. Keep any documentation about the hour reduction just in case.

I might actually try that. I really want to talk to someone before I submit my application to make sure I'm doing everything right.

Same here, I used it last week to get help with my adjudication issue. Worth it just to avoid the phone hell.

That's encouraging! How long did it take from when you applied to when you got your first payment?

About 3 weeks total, including the waiting week. No issues with adjudication or anything since the hour reduction was clearly involuntary.

Yes, Washington ESD includes wages from all employers during your base period. Having multiple jobs actually helps you meet the minimum wage requirements more easily.

Thanks! That's what I thought but wanted to confirm.

That's really reassuring coming from someone who works with this stuff professionally. I was worried I wouldn't qualify since I was never full-time.

Full-time vs part-time doesn't matter at all for Washington ESD eligibility. It's purely about meeting the wage thresholds, which you almost certainly do.

Right? It shouldn't require a degree in accounting just to figure out if you can get help paying bills.

The wage calculation is actually pretty straightforward once you understand it. It's just poorly explained on their website.

Ok you're the third person to mention this service, I'm definitely going to check it out. The video demo should help me understand what I'm getting into.

Yeah the demo shows you exactly how it works. No surprises or anything, just gets you connected to an actual person who can answer your questions.

I didn't know you could see that online! I'll log in and check before I apply.

Yeah it's super helpful. Sometimes employers report wages late or incorrectly, so it's good to verify what Washington ESD actually has on file.

No problem! I figured if I was confused, other people probably were too.

Same here, this thread cleared up a lot of confusion for me too.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful responses! I feel much more confident about applying now.

Good luck! The system can be frustrating but once you get through the initial application it gets easier.

Good point, I'll make sure to report everything correctly. Don't want any issues down the road.

Exactly. Honest reporting from the start saves you from overpayment headaches later.