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

The main requirements are pretty straightforward - you need to have worked enough hours in your base year (usually the first 4 of the last 5 quarters), be unemployed through no fault of your own, and be able and available for work. Since you worked 8 months and were laid off, you should qualify on those fronts.

You also have to register with WorkSourceWA and do job search activities every week. It's 3 job search activities per week minimum, and you have to keep a log of what you did.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your eligibility, I had good luck using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get connected to an actual agent instead of sitting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

The 'able and available' requirement means you have to be physically and mentally capable of working, and you can't have any restrictions that would prevent you from accepting suitable work. So if you're sick or have transportation issues that prevent you from working, that could be a problem.

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! I've been trying to figure this out for weeks and every website says something different

Don't forget about the waiting week! Washington state eliminated it during COVID but it's back now. Your first week of unemployment won't be paid even if you're eligible.

Another important point - you have to file weekly claims every week to get paid, even if your initial claim is still being processed. Don't wait until everything is approved or you'll miss out on benefits.

One thing that tripped me up was the monetary determination. Even if you're eligible for benefits, they have to calculate how much you'll get based on your earnings history. That comes separately from your eligibility determination.

Just make sure you answer all the questions honestly when you file. If there's any issue with your separation from work, they might put your claim into adjudication and that can take weeks to resolve.

If you do end up in adjudication, that's another situation where Claimyr can be really helpful. Sometimes you need to talk to someone to understand what additional information they need or to check on the status.

The job search requirement is no joke. You have to do 3 activities per week and they audit people. Keep detailed records of everything you do - applications, networking, job fairs, etc.

Also make sure you report any work you do while collecting benefits, even if it's just a few hours. Failure to report work can get you in serious trouble.

been on unemployment twice in the past 5 years and honestly the process gets easier once you know what to expect. The first time is always confusing but just take it step by step

The identity verification process can also slow things down. Make sure you have all your documents ready - driver's license, social security card, etc. They're really strict about identity verification now.

Don't stress too much about it. If you were laid off and worked for 8 months making decent money, you'll probably qualify. The hardest part is just navigating the bureaucracy.

One more thing - if you have any issues or your claim gets complicated, there are also advocacy organizations that can help for free. But the paid services like Claimyr can be faster if you just need to talk to someone quickly.

The whole system is designed to make you jump through hoops but once you get the hang of it it's not too bad. Just stay on top of your weekly claims and job search requirements.

You should be fine based on what you described. 8 months of work at that wage level should easily meet the hour and earnings requirements. Good luck with your claim!