How much do you need to make to collect unemployment in Washington state?

You need to have earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period and meet the minimum earnings threshold. For Washington ESD, you generally need at least $3,400 in your highest quarter and total base period wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter. With $25K total, you should be fine if it was distributed across multiple quarters.

The specific formula is pretty straightforward - you need total base period wages of at least $3,400 AND wages in your highest quarter need to be at least $2,267. Plus you need wages in at least two quarters. Your $25K should easily meet both requirements.

I had a similar situation and qualified easily. The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator that can give you an estimate. But honestly, calling them to verify is your best bet if you want to be 100% sure about your specific case.

The earnings requirements aren't that high honestly. I think I made like $15K one year and still qualified because I had steady work in multiple quarters. The key is having wages spread across at least two quarters in your base period.

Just file and see what happens. The worst they can say is no. Washington ESD will calculate everything for you when you submit your application. If you don't meet the regular UI requirements, you might still qualify for other programs.

I looked this up recently and Washington uses something called the 'alternative base period' if you don't qualify under the regular base period. It uses the four most recent quarters instead of the standard base period calculation.

Don't forget you also need to be unemployed through no fault of your own. Meeting the wage requirements is just the first step. If you quit without good cause or got fired for misconduct, you won't qualify regardless of your earnings.

The Washington ESD website actually has all this info spelled out pretty clearly if you dig around. But yeah, with $25K in earnings you're definitely above the minimum thresholds.

I think the real question is how much your weekly benefit amount will be, not just whether you qualify. That depends on your earnings in your highest quarter during the base period.

Just went through this process myself. Filed online and got approved within a week. The system calculated everything automatically and I didn't have to worry about the math.

The minimum wage requirements in Washington are pretty reasonable compared to other states. You definitely sound like you'll qualify based on what you've shared.

One thing to keep in mind - even if you qualify, you still have to meet the ongoing requirements like job searching and filing weekly claims. The initial qualification is just the beginning.

Honestly just file the claim. You're overthinking this. With steady part-time work for 8 months, you almost certainly qualify. Washington ESD will tell you definitively when you apply.

I had almost identical earnings to you and got approved no problem. Your $25K spread over multiple quarters should easily meet Washington's requirements.

The fact that you worked steadily for 8 months is actually really good for your claim. Shows you have consistent work history and weren't just working sporadically.

Washington is actually pretty generous with unemployment compared to some states. The wage requirements aren't crazy high and the benefit amounts are decent.

Make sure you have all your employment info ready when you file - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, reason for separation. Having everything organized will make the process smoother.

Bottom line: $25K in earnings across multiple quarters should definitely qualify you in Washington. Stop stressing and just file the claim!

Good luck with your application! From everything you've described, you should definitely qualify. I went through a similar situation last year with part-time work and had no issues getting approved. The Washington ESD system is pretty straightforward once you get started. Just make sure to file your weekly claims on time once you're approved - that's the part people sometimes mess up. Let us know how it goes!