How to qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington - need help understanding eligibility requirements

Thanks! I think I meet the wage requirements since I worked full time for 8 months. What does 'able and available' actually mean though?

Able and available means you're physically and mentally capable of working, available during normal business hours for your occupation, and not placing unreasonable restrictions on the type of work you'll accept.

Job search activities start right away? I thought I'd have some time to figure things out first.

The job search requirement starts immediately unless you're on temporary layoff with a specific return date within 4 weeks.

That sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost?

I'd rather pay something reasonable than waste entire days trying to get through. The peace of mind was worth it for me.

I've heard about services like this but wasn't sure if they were legit. Did they actually connect you to real Washington ESD staff?

That's reassuring, thanks! What exactly is the base period though? And how much do I need to have earned?

The base period is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. For wages, you need to have earned at least $5,265 total in your base period, with at least $1,755 in your highest-earning quarter.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already tight on money being unemployed.

It's worth checking out their site for current info. For me, getting clear answers about my eligibility was worth it rather than guessing and potentially filing incorrectly.

I was definitely laid off, not quit. Does that make a difference for how quickly I get approved?

Being laid off due to lack of work generally means you'll qualify if you meet the other requirements. Quitting requires proving good cause connected to work.

My last day was this past Friday. Should I file this weekend or wait until Monday?

File now! The online system is available 24/7. Don't wait - every day you delay could cost you money.

Yeah I waited almost a week thinking I needed to get my paperwork organized first and it cost me $400 in benefits I could never get back.

I guess you're right, I'm probably overthinking it. Just nervous about the whole process.

Better to apply and find out than to wait and potentially miss out on benefits you're entitled to.

Good point, I should gather all that before I start the application. Do I need pay stubs or anything like that?

You don't need to submit pay stubs with your initial application, but it's good to have them handy in case Washington ESD needs to verify your wages later.

Oh wow, I didn't know about that requirement. Do I need to start job searching before I apply or after I'm approved?

You need to be able and available for work when you apply, which means you should be looking for work. But the formal job search reporting starts after you begin receiving benefits.

WorkSourceWA is actually pretty helpful for finding job postings. I've gotten a few interviews through there.

That's exactly what I'm worried about. What kind of documentation did they want?

Usually they just need verification of your identity and work history. If there are any issues with your claim, they'll send you specific requests through your eServices account.

Oh no, really? It was like 8 months ago though, and I worked at the retail job after that until I got laid off.

Since your most recent separation was a layoff, that should be the primary consideration. The previous quit might come up during the review process, but it shouldn't automatically disqualify you.

That sounds really helpful. Did they help you understand what documents you needed too?

Yes, the Washington ESD agent I spoke with walked me through exactly what information I needed to have ready for my application.

6 weeks?! How did you survive financially during that time?

It was rough. I had to borrow money from family. Eventually they approved everything and I got all the back pay but those weeks were stressful.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr when I had adjudication issues. Being able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD made all the difference in getting things resolved faster.

There's a waiting week? So even if I file this week I won't get paid for it?

Yes, there's a one-week waiting period for new claims. You'll file for that week but won't receive payment for it unless you have a subsequent claim within the benefit year.

That's encouraging to hear. How long did it take for you to find out if you were approved?

It took about 2 weeks for me, but that was without any complications. If they need to investigate your work separations it can take longer.

My employer didn't mention anything about calling me back. They said the layoff was permanent due to budget cuts.

Then you'll be on regular unemployment, not standby. You'll need to do the full job search requirements.

Good to know! What other information do I need about my employer?

Company name, address, phone number, your supervisor's name, your last day of work, and reason for separation. Also helpful to have your pay stubs from the last few weeks.

How do they calculate the weekly amount? Is there a formula?

It's based on your highest quarter earnings in the base period. Roughly 3.85% of those earnings, up to the maximum weekly benefit amount which is $999 for 2025.

Good to know! I'll definitely apply this week then.

Yes, the sooner the better. I waited a couple weeks to apply and regretted it because I could have been receiving benefits earlier.

I'll definitely check that out. Thanks for the tip!

The handbook is really comprehensive. I wish I had read it before applying - would have saved me some confusion.

I started in March 2024 and just got laid off in November 2024. Would that count?

For a claim filed now, your base period would be July 2023 through June 2024. If you only started working in March 2024, you might want to check if you have enough wages in that base period or consider an alternate base period.

Oh no, I didn't work at all before March 2024. Does that mean I don't qualify?

That sounds like it might help my situation. Is there anything special I need to do to request that?

No, they'll automatically check the alternate base period if you don't qualify under the standard one. Just file your claim normally.

I don't have anything to hide but good to know they verify everything. How long does that verification process take?

Usually they verify your wages automatically through state databases. If there are discrepancies or missing information, that's when claims go to adjudication.

When do I file the weekly claims? Is there a specific day?

You can file your weekly claim starting Sunday for the previous week. I usually do mine on Sunday mornings to get it out of the way.

That's helpful to know. I'm definitely going to have questions about the job search requirements.

Yeah, the work search requirements can be confusing. Having someone explain them directly made me feel much more confident about staying compliant.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful information! I'm going to file my claim this weekend and see what happens.

Good luck! Remember to keep track of all your job search activities from week one and don't hesitate to reach out if you run into issues.

How long do benefits typically last in Washington?

Usually up to 26 weeks, but it depends on your total base period wages and the unemployment rate in the state at the time.

How often do you have to do the weekly claims? Is it literally every week?

Yes, every week. You can file online and it only takes a few minutes once you get used to it.

4 weeks sounds really stressful! Did you have to provide additional documentation?

They asked for some details about why I left my previous job, but mostly it was just waiting for them to review everything.

That's a good idea. Are they open regular business hours?

Most are, but you should check the website for your local office hours and whether you need an appointment.

Definitely planning to be completely honest. Just want to make sure I understand everything correctly before I submit.

That's the right approach. Better to ask questions upfront than to have problems later.

How do they calculate those amounts? Is it based on what I was earning?

Yes, it's based on your wages during the base period. The weekly amount is roughly half of your average weekly wage, up to the state maximum.

Thanks for the follow-up! I'll keep that in mind if I run into any problems with my application.

I second this recommendation. Used them when my claim got complicated and it was so worth it to actually talk to a real person at Washington ESD.