How many months must you work to collect unemployment in Washington?

It's not actually about months worked - Washington ESD looks at your earnings during your base period, which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. You need to have earned at least $3,850 during your base period AND have worked in at least 2 quarters.

I had this same question last year! The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator that can help you figure out if you qualify. You basically need to have earned enough wages in your base period.

The minimum is usually around 680 hours of work OR earning at least $3,850 in your base period. But honestly, trying to get through to Washington ESD to verify your specific situation can be impossible. I used claimyr.com to actually reach an agent who could look at my account. Check out their video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ - it's pretty straightforward.

wait, is it 680 hours OR the $3,850? I thought you needed both requirements

The whole system is ridiculous. I worked 6 months and still got denied because my earnings were too low in one quarter. Washington ESD doesn't care about actual work history, just arbitrary numbers.

If you're unsure about qualifying, just apply anyway. Sometimes the automatic system gets it wrong and you might actually be eligible even if the calculator says no.

just a heads up - if you worked multiple jobs or had gaps in employment, it gets more complicated. Washington ESD looks at all your employers during the base period

Another thing - make sure you understand what your base period actually is before you file. It's not the last 4 months of work, it's specific calendar quarters. This trips up a lot of people.

The quarterly thing is confusing but once you get it, it makes sense. I had to wait until a new quarter started to get enough earnings in my base period.

I think it also depends on WHY you're unemployed. Even if you meet the work requirements, you need to be unemployed through no fault of your own.

Actually tried Claimyr after seeing it mentioned earlier and got through to Washington ESD in like 20 minutes. The agent confirmed my base period earnings and work history. Definitely worth it if you can't get through on your own.

For anyone still confused about the work requirements, here's the simple version: You need either 680 hours of work OR at least $3,850 in earnings during your base period, PLUS you must have worked in at least 2 different quarters.

Don't forget about the job search requirements once you start collecting. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week.

The 4-month thing is misleading because months don't align with quarters. You could work 4 months but if they span 3 quarters with low earnings in one, you might not qualify.

tried the washington esd website calculator and it said i don't qualify but when i actually applied i got approved, so don't trust those things 100%

Final tip - if you do get approved, make sure you understand the weekly claim filing requirements. You have to file every week even if you worked some hours that week.

The whole thing is a bureaucratic nightmare honestly. I had enough work history and still waited 6 weeks for approval because of 'adjudication issues

Look, the bottom line is you probably qualify if you worked consistently for 4 months, especially if it was full-time work. The earnings and quarter requirements usually work out.

One more thing - if you're denied, don't give up. The appeals process exists for a reason and sometimes the initial determination is wrong.

Just wanted to follow up on the Claimyr thing - they also helped me understand exactly what my base period was and which quarters counted. Made the whole process way less stressful.