How many months do you need to work to qualify for unemployment in Washington ESD?

Oh that's confusing. So it's about how much I earned, not how long I worked? What if I was making minimum wage?

Even at minimum wage, if you worked full-time for 8 months you probably hit that $3,500 threshold. Washington ESD also requires you to have worked in at least 2 quarters of your base period.

The base period calculation is one of the most misunderstood parts of unemployment eligibility. Most people think it's just about recent work history, but Washington ESD looks at a specific 12-month period that's usually not the most recent months you worked.

Wait, there's MORE requirements?? This is getting overwhelming. How did you figure all this out?

Honestly I couldn't get through to Washington ESD on the phone for weeks. Finally found this service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual agent who explained everything. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

OMG why is this so complicated!! Can't they just say 'work 6 months, get benefits'??

I know right? The reason it's based on earnings instead of months is because some people work part-time or have irregular schedules. But it definitely makes it harder to figure out if you qualify.

That's reassuring! I was making about $18/hour so hopefully that's enough.

At $18/hour working full-time for 8 months, you should definitely meet the earnings requirements. You'll want to apply as soon as you're laid off - don't wait.

Have you tried calling right when they open? I heard that's the best time to get through.

Tried that, tried lunch time, tried everything. Still can't get a human on the phone.

That's exactly why I used Claimyr - couldn't deal with the busy signals and hold times anymore. They got me through to an agent in like 20 minutes.

So if I get laid off next week and file right away, my base period would be... let me think... the 4 quarters before this quarter?

Exactly. If you file in February 2025, your base period would likely be October 2023 through September 2024. So any work you did during that time period counts toward your eligibility.

This is why I always tell people to just apply even if they're not sure they qualify. Let Washington ESD make the determination rather than trying to figure it out yourself.

Washington ESD counts all wages reported on your W-2, including commission, bonuses, tips, etc. As long as it was reported to them by your employer, it should count toward your base period earnings.

Good to know, thanks! I was worried they only looked at base salary.

That's an alternative way to qualify if you don't meet the standard earnings test. It's for people who worked a lot of hours but at very low wages. Most people qualify under the earnings test rather than the hours test.

Washington state employment laws are so confusing. Other states just make you work for like 6 months, period.

That's true. I guess I'll just apply when the layoff happens and see what they say. How long did it take to hear back?

My claim was approved within about a week, but I know some people have to go through adjudication which takes longer. Depends on your specific situation.

Yes! I had to submit paycheck stubs because their records didn't match what I actually earned. Took an extra 2 weeks to get approved because of that.

Good point. I'll make sure to gather all my documentation before I apply.

Where do you find that calculator? I looked on their website but couldn't find it.

It's buried in their site somewhere. Try searching for 'benefit calculator' or 'eligibility calculator' on the Washington ESD homepage.

That's encouraging! I think I'm overthinking this. I'll just apply and let them figure out if I qualify.

That makes sense. At least something is better than nothing if I get laid off.

The maximum weekly benefit in Washington is pretty decent compared to other states. Even if your benefits are on the lower side, it's still worth having while you look for a new job.

I've only worked in Washington so hopefully that won't be an issue for me. But good to know about Claimyr if I need help getting through to them.

Yeah Claimyr is legit. Used them myself when I couldn't get through the regular phone lines. Worth checking out their demo video if you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD.