How many hours do you need to qualify for unemployment in Washington State?

It's not actually about hours worked, it's about wages earned during your base period. For Washington ESD, you need to have earned wages in at least 680 hours during your base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters). The minimum wage requirement is what matters most - you need at least $7,000 in total wages during your base period.

You also have to meet the able and available requirements and be actively searching for work. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week. Your reduced hours situation might actually qualify you for partial unemployment benefits while you're still working the 15 hours.

I tried calling Washington ESD to ask about this exact thing and spent 3 hours on hold yesterday before getting disconnected. Their phone system is absolutely terrible. Anyone have better luck getting through?

The base period calculation is what trips most people up. It's not your most recent work - it's the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be January-December 2024.

wait so if i worked 30 hrs a week for 6 months thats like 720 hours total, so i should qualify right? math was never my strong suit lol

I work in HR and deal with this stuff all the time. The 680 hours is correct, but you also need wages in at least 2 quarters of your base period. And those wages need to be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings. Washington ESD has pretty specific formulas.

Don't forget about the reason for separation too. If you voluntarily quit or got fired for misconduct, you might not qualify even if you meet the wage/hour requirements. Being laid off or having hours reduced like your situation should be fine though.

I was in a similar situation last year - retail job, hours cut from 32 to 12 per week. I qualified for partial unemployment and it really helped bridge the gap while I looked for something full-time. The key is reporting your earnings accurately on your weekly claims.

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator that can give you an estimate if you qualify and how much you might get. It's under the 'Apply for Benefits' section. Might be worth checking before you spend time on the full application.

Just a heads up - even if you qualify, there's usually a one week waiting period before you start receiving benefits. Plan accordingly if money is tight.

I had trouble reaching Washington ESD too until someone recommended Claimyr. It's this service that calls them for you and gets you through to an actual person. Way better than sitting on hold forever. The website is claimyr.com if anyone else is having phone issues.

The job search requirement is 3 activities per week once you start collecting. Make sure you keep track of everything - applications, interviews, job fairs, etc. Washington ESD audits this stuff.

Word of advice - apply as soon as possible if you think you qualify. Benefits are only backdated to the week you file, not when your hours were actually cut. Don't wait around trying to figure out every detail.

Make sure you have all your employer information ready when you apply - company name, address, dates of employment, reason for separation, etc. The application asks for details about every job in the last 18 months.

One more thing - if Washington ESD needs to verify anything with your employer, it can add time to the process. Hopefully your manager is responsive if they reach out.

Final tip: if you get denied for any reason, you can appeal the decision. Don't just give up if the initial determination isn't what you expected. The appeal process gives you another chance to present your case.

I had success with Claimyr when I needed to talk to Washington ESD about my claim status. Their system actually got me through to someone who could help. Check out the demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ to see how it works. Really saved me from hours of frustration.

Just want to echo what others said about partial unemployment - it's a lifesaver when your hours get cut but you're still working some. Don't overlook that option if you're in that situation.

Just wanted to add that when you do apply, make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and bank account info ready for direct deposit setup. The online application is pretty straightforward but having all your documents handy makes it go much faster. Also, they'll ask for your gross wages from each quarter, so dig up those old paystubs or W-2s if you have them. Good luck with your application - sounds like you have a solid case for partial benefits!

I've been following this thread and it's been super helpful! I'm in a similar situation - my restaurant job cut my hours from 35 to about 20 per week due to the slow winter season. I had no idea about partial unemployment benefits until reading these comments. I've been working there for over a year, so I should definitely meet the 680 hours and wage requirements. Does anyone know if tips count toward the wage calculation for Washington ESD? I make most of my income from tips and I'm not sure if those are included when they calculate eligibility.