How many months do you have to work for unemployment benefits in Washington?

It's not really about months, it's about quarters and earnings. You need to have worked in at least 2 quarters during your base year and earned a minimum amount. The base year is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. So if you've been working 8 months consistently, you should probably qualify.

I think you need to earn like $1,000 in your highest quarter or something like that. But honestly the Washington ESD website is so confusing about this stuff.

I had this same worry when I got laid off last year! If you've been working steady for 8 months you should be fine. The key thing is you need to have worked during at least 2 different calendar quarters. So like if you started in March, you would have worked in Q1 (March), Q2 (Apr-Jun), Q3 (Jul-Sep), and part of Q4. That's definitely enough.

The hardest part isn't qualifying, it's actually getting through to Washington ESD when you need help! I spent weeks trying to call them about my claim. Finally found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to a real person at claimyr.com. They have a video showing how it works too https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ

ugh the whole quarters thing is so stupid. why can't they just say 6 months or whatever like normal people

Let me break this down properly since there's some confusion here. For Washington state unemployment (UI), you need: 1) Earnings in at least 2 quarters of your base year, 2) Total base year earnings of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter, 3) Your highest quarter earnings must be at least $1,000. The base year is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you apply.

What if you worked part-time? Does that count the same way?

The thing that really helped me was keeping track of my pay stubs so I knew exactly what I earned each quarter. Made filing my claim so much easier when I had all that info ready.

The whole system is broken anyway. Even if you qualify they'll find some reason to delay your claim for weeks or months. I know people who waited 12 weeks just to get their first payment.

Wait so if I've only been working for like 4 months I probably don't qualify?

This is all making my head spin. Why can't Washington ESD just have a simple calculator on their website where you put in how long you worked and how much you made?

Thanks everyone! This has been really helpful. Sounds like with 8 months of steady work I should be okay if the worst happens. Still hoping I don't get laid off though!

I've been on unemployment twice in Washington and both times I qualified with less than a year of work. The quarters thing seems scary but it's actually not that hard to meet if you've been working regularly.

Does anyone know if there are different rules for seasonal workers?

Pro tip: if you do end up filing for unemployment, sign up for direct deposit right away. Paper checks take forever and sometimes get lost in the mail.

The real question is whether you can actually get through to anyone at Washington ESD when you need help. I tried calling for 3 weeks straight and never got through.

Just want to add that you also have to be able and available for work, actively seeking work, etc. It's not just about having worked enough to qualify initially.

Another thing to consider - if you get severance pay that might affect when your benefits start. Just something to keep in mind if you do get laid off.

The earnings requirements aren't that high really. Even at minimum wage if you work steady for 8 months you should easily qualify. The bigger challenge is dealing with Washington ESD's terrible customer service when you need help.

Thanks for this thread! I've been wondering the same thing since my job has been talking about potential layoffs. Feel much better knowing 8 months should be enough.