How to be eligible for unemployment benefits in Washington state - confused about requirements

Thanks! What exactly counts as the base period? I'm still confused about how they calculate the quarters.

The base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be July 2023 through June 2024. Washington ESD uses this to determine your weekly benefit amount and duration.

That's not great advice. You should understand the requirements before filing or you might get hit with an overpayment later if you file incorrectly.

fair point but the system is confusing and most people just file anyway. washington esd will sort it out during adjudication if needed

That sounds helpful! Did they charge you for the service?

They do charge but it was worth it to avoid the calling nightmare. Much better than spending days trying to reach Washington ESD myself.

never heard of claimyr but anything is better than trying to call washington esd directly. their phone system is a joke

Do I need to register with WorkSource before I file my initial claim or can I do it after?

You can register after filing but don't wait too long. It's required to maintain eligibility for benefits and Washington ESD will check on it during your weekly claims.

I forgot about the WorkSource registration requirement and had my benefits stopped for 2 weeks until I got it sorted out. Don't make my mistake!

Perfect, that helps a lot. I definitely earned more than $3,500 so I should be good on that front.

Those numbers sound right but I thought there was also a minimum hours requirement? Or is that just for certain types of claims?

No minimum hours requirement for regular unemployment in Washington. It's all based on wages earned during the base period quarters.

Good to know! I was wondering if I should wait a few weeks to see if I find another job first.

No, file right away. You can always stop claiming if you find work, but you can't get retroactive benefits for weeks you didn't file.

What happens during adjudication? Do I need to provide additional documentation?

They'll contact you and your former employer to verify the details of your separation and work history. You might need to provide pay stubs, separation notices, or other documentation.

My claim went to adjudication for 6 weeks even though I was clearly laid off. Washington ESD is just slow with processing everything.

I didn't get any severance but I did get paid for my unused vacation days. Will that be a problem?

It depends on how the vacation pay was distributed. If it was paid as a lump sum representing specific weeks, it might create a waiting period. Best to report it accurately when you file.

I have most of that but I'll need to dig up the exact dates for my part-time job. How precise do they need to be?

They want month and year at minimum, but day-specific dates are better if you have them. They'll verify everything with your employers anyway.

I didn't know you could check wage history online. That's really helpful, thanks!

Yeah the SAW portal is actually pretty useful once you figure out how to navigate it. Much easier than trying to call Washington ESD for basic information.

That's encouraging to hear! Did you have any issues with the adjudication process?

nope, my claim went through pretty smoothly. took about 2 weeks to get my first payment but no major delays

You got lucky! My claim took 6 weeks to process even though I had all my documentation ready.

I'll check that out. Do you know if the calculator takes into account both jobs or just the highest-paying one?

It should factor in all wages from your base period, so both jobs would count toward your total.

How do you file the weekly claims? Is it online or do you have to call?

You do it online through the Washington ESD website. It's pretty straightforward once you get used to it.

The weekly claims system sometimes has technical issues on Sunday nights when everyone tries to file. Try to file earlier in the week if possible.

Thanks everyone for all the detailed responses! I feel much more confident about filing now. Going to gather my documents this weekend and file early next week.

Good luck! The process can be frustrating but it's worth it if you qualify. Don't get discouraged if there are delays - Washington ESD is just slow sometimes.

I'll keep that in mind as a backup plan. Hopefully I won't need it but good to know it's there.

Same here - used claimyr when I was stuck in adjudication limbo. They helped me get through to someone who could explain what was happening with my claim.

Definitely planning to be completely honest. Not worth risking an overpayment or fraud investigation.

Smart approach. I've seen people get in trouble for not reporting things accurately, even when it was just a mistake.

You're right, I think I was overcomplicating it. Thanks for the reality check!

Yeah the Washington ESD system is confusing but most people who got laid off qualify. The hard part is dealing with the bureaucracy, not meeting the requirements.

Agreed! This has been super helpful. I'll update the thread once I get through the filing process in case it helps others.

Please do! It's always good to hear how these situations actually turn out.