How many hours needed for unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

Washington ESD doesn't actually use hours to determine eligibility - they use wages earned during your base period. You need to have earned at least $3,850 in wages during your base period, which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim.

Oh wow, I had no idea it was based on wages not hours! That actually makes more sense. Do you know if there's a way to check what wages they have on file for me?

Yes, you can create an account on the Washington ESD website and view your wage history there. It shows all the wages reported by your employers.

wait what?? I thought you needed to work at least 32 hours a week to qualify for unemployment. I've been turning down part time jobs because I thought they wouldn't count

No, that's not correct. Washington unemployment eligibility is based on wages earned, not hours worked per week. Part-time work absolutely counts toward your base period wages.

omg I feel so stupid now. I could have been working this whole time and still qualified. Thanks for clearing that up

I had the same confusion when I first applied! The wage requirement thing caught me off guard too. But here's what really helped me - I was having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to verify my wage history because their phone lines are always busy. Someone on here recommended trying Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it actually worked. They have this system that calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an agent. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

That sounds really helpful! How long did it take to get through using that service?

It took maybe 20 minutes total. Way better than the 3+ hours I spent trying to call on my own and never getting through.

I've heard of Claimyr but wasn't sure if it was legit. Good to know it actually works for getting through to Washington ESD.

To expand on the wage requirements - you also need to have earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period, and your total base period wages need to be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter wages. So it's not just about hitting that $3,850 minimum.

This is getting confusing. Can someone explain what a 'base period' actually is in simple terms?

Sure! Your base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in March 2025, your base period would be July 2023 through June 2024.

Thank you! That makes way more sense now.

The Washington ESD system is so confusing honestly. I worked full time for years and still had trouble figuring out if I qualified when I got laid off

Same here! And trying to get someone on the phone to explain it is nearly impossible.

Exactly! That's why services like Claimyr are so helpful. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person to understand your situation.

One more important thing to note - even if you meet the monetary requirements, you also have to be able and available to work, and actively seeking work. There are ongoing requirements once you start receiving benefits.

What does 'actively seeking work' mean exactly? Is there a specific number of job applications I need to submit?

You need to make at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log of them. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking, etc.

And you have to register with WorkSourceWA too, don't forget that step!

i'm still confused about the quarter thing. if i worked different jobs throughout the year does that matter?

No, it doesn't matter how many different jobs you had. Washington ESD looks at all the wages you earned from all employers during your base period.

ok good because i had like 4 different jobs last year lol

For anyone still confused about their eligibility, I'd recommend using the benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website. It's not perfect but gives you a rough idea of whether you qualify and how much you might receive.

I didn't know they had a calculator! I'll definitely check that out.

The calculator is helpful but sometimes the wage information isn't up to date. That's when talking to an actual agent helps.

Just want to add that if you don't qualify under the regular base period, Washington ESD can also look at an alternate base period which uses more recent wages. This helped me when I had just started a new job before getting laid off.

How do you request the alternate base period? Do they automatically check that?

They should automatically check it if you don't qualify under the standard base period, but you can also request it specifically when you apply.

This thread has been super helpful! I was also thinking it was about hours worked. The wage-based system actually makes more sense when you think about it.

Agreed! I wish this information was easier to find on the Washington ESD website.

Yeah their website is not very user-friendly. Forums like this are way more helpful for getting clear answers.

One thing to keep in mind is that even if you qualify monetarily, you can still be disqualified for other reasons like quitting without good cause or being fired for misconduct. The wage requirements are just the first hurdle.

Good point. I was laid off due to business closure so hopefully that won't be an issue for me.

Layoffs due to business closure are definitely qualifying separations. You should be fine on that front.

PSA: If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone, definitely try Claimyr. I was skeptical at first but it really does work. Saved me hours of frustration trying to get through on my own.

How much does it cost? I'm worried about spending money when I'm already unemployed.

I think it's worth checking out their website for pricing info. For me, the time saved was definitely worth it, especially when I needed to resolve an issue with my claim.

I used it too and had a good experience. Sometimes you just need to talk to someone to get your questions answered properly.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I'm going to check my wage history online and then probably file my claim this week. Fingers crossed I qualify!

Good luck! Don't forget to file your weekly claims on time once you get approved.

Will do! This thread has been incredibly helpful.