How to qualify for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD - confused about requirements
I'm trying to figure out if I qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington state but honestly I'm getting overwhelmed by all the requirements on the Washington ESD website. I worked full-time for about 8 months at a restaurant before they had to let me go due to slow business. Before that I had a part-time job for like 3 months. I made around $28,000 total last year but I'm not sure if that's enough or if I worked long enough? Also confused about the whole 'able and available' thing - does that mean I have to be available 24/7 or can I have some restrictions on my schedule? And what exactly counts as actively looking for work? I don't want to mess up my application and get denied. Can someone break down the basic requirements in simple terms?
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Keisha Williams
The basic requirements are pretty straightforward - you need to have earned enough wages during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters), be unemployed through no fault of your own, be able and available for work, and actively seek work. For 2025, you need at least $5,265 in your highest earning quarter AND total wages of at least 1.25 times your highest quarter. Your $28k should easily meet that threshold.
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NebulaNova
•Thanks! So if I made about $28k total, that should be enough? I'm still confused about the quarters thing though.
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Keisha Williams
•Yes, $28k is definitely enough. The quarters are just 3-month periods - Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep, Oct-Dec. Washington ESD will calculate this automatically when you apply.
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Paolo Conti
being able and available doesn't mean 24/7 but you do need to be ready to accept suitable work during normal business hours. You can have some restrictions like no night shifts due to childcare but they have to be reasonable.
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NebulaNova
•That makes sense. I don't have major restrictions, just prefer not to work Sundays but I could if needed.
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Amina Diallo
•Sunday preferences are totally fine - that's not considered a restriction that would disqualify you from benefits.
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Oliver Schulz
For the work search requirement, you need to do at least 3 job search activities per week and log them in your WorkSourceWA account. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or even creating profiles on job sites like Indeed. Just make sure you document everything properly.
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NebulaNova
•Do I need to set up the WorkSourceWA account before I apply or can I do it after?
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Oliver Schulz
•You can set it up after you apply, but I'd recommend doing it right away since you'll need it for your first weekly claim.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•Actually had trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about this exact thing. Ended up using claimyr.com to get connected to an actual agent - worked way better than calling directly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.
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AstroAdventurer
Wait, since you were let go due to slow business, that should qualify as a layoff which means you weren't at fault. That's good for your claim. Just make sure you have documentation from your employer about the reason for separation.
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NebulaNova
•I have the termination letter that says 'reduction in workforce due to business conditions' - is that enough?
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AstroAdventurer
•Perfect! That's exactly what Washington ESD wants to see. Keep that letter safe.
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Javier Mendoza
ugh the whole system is so confusing why can't they just make it simple like other states do
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Keisha Williams
•I get the frustration but once you understand the basics it's really not that complicated. The requirements exist to prevent fraud.
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Javier Mendoza
•I guess but spent 2 hours on their website yesterday and still didn't understand half of it
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Amina Diallo
One thing to remember is that even if you think you might not qualify, it's worth applying anyway. The worst they can do is deny your claim, and you can always appeal if you think they made a mistake. Washington ESD will review your wages and work history to make the determination.
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NebulaNova
•Good point. I was worried about applying and getting in trouble somehow if I didn't qualify.
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Amina Diallo
•Nope, no trouble at all for applying. Just be honest about everything and let them make the decision.
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Emma Wilson
Also make sure you apply as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. Benefits are paid from the Sunday of the week you file your claim, not from when you actually lost your job. So if you wait a month to apply, you lose that month of potential benefits.
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NebulaNova
•Oh wow, I didn't know that! I lost my job last Friday so I should apply this week then?
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Emma Wilson
•Yes, definitely apply this week. You can apply online at secure.esd.wa.gov - it's available 24/7.
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Paolo Conti
•Just a heads up that the website can be slow on Sundays and Mondays when everyone's filing their weekly claims.
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Malik Davis
I was in a similar situation last year - worked at a small business that had to lay people off. The application process was actually easier than I expected. Just have your Social Security card, driver's license, and information about your previous employers ready. You'll need dates of employment, wages, and reason for separation.
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NebulaNova
•Did you have any issues with the application? I keep hearing horror stories about people getting stuck in adjudication.
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Malik Davis
•Mine went through fine, took about 2 weeks to get my first payment. Adjudication usually happens when there's some question about your separation or work history.
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Isabella Santos
The key things Washington ESD looks for: 1) You worked and earned enough wages 2) You lost your job through no fault of your own 3) You're physically able to work 4) You're available for work 5) You're actively looking for work. Based on what you described, you should meet all these requirements.
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NebulaNova
•This is really helpful, thank you! I feel much more confident about applying now.
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Ravi Gupta
•Same here, I was worried about the wage requirements but sounds like most people who worked full-time qualify.
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GalacticGuru
Just remember you'll need to file weekly claims every week to get paid, even if you're still waiting for your initial claim to be approved. Miss a week and you lose that week's benefits permanently.
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NebulaNova
•When do I start filing weekly claims? Right after I submit my initial application?
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GalacticGuru
•Yes, you can file your first weekly claim the Sunday after you submit your initial application. The system will prompt you.
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Freya Pedersen
Pro tip: if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your eligibility, don't waste time trying to call directly. I used a service called Claimyr that got me through to an agent in like 15 minutes instead of spending hours on hold. Cost a little money but saved me so much time and frustration.
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Omar Fawaz
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already unemployed so trying to watch my spending.
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Freya Pedersen
•I don't remember the exact amount but it was worth it for me. Check out their website at claimyr.com - they explain how it works.
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NebulaNova
•I might look into that if I run into issues with my application. Thanks for the tip!
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Chloe Anderson
Make sure you keep track of all your job search activities from day one. Washington ESD can audit your work search log at any time and if you can't prove you were looking for work, they can disqualify you and even make you pay back benefits.
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NebulaNova
•That sounds scary. What counts as proof of job search activities?
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Chloe Anderson
•Screenshots of job applications, business cards from networking events, emails from employers, stuff like that. Just document everything.
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Diego Vargas
honestly the whole thing seems like a hassle but I guess if you're unemployed you gotta do what you gotta do. at least Washington has better benefits than some states
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Anastasia Fedorov
•Yeah the weekly benefit amount in Washington is pretty decent compared to other places I've lived.
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NebulaNova
•What's the maximum you can get per week? I haven't seen that info anywhere.
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Keisha Williams
•For 2025 the maximum weekly benefit is $999, but most people get less than that. It's based on your earnings during the base period.
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StarStrider
I went through this whole process 6 months ago and the biggest thing is just being patient. It takes time but if you qualify you'll get your benefits. Don't stress too much about the requirements - they're more straightforward than they seem at first.
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NebulaNova
•Thanks for the encouragement! I'm feeling much better about this after reading everyone's responses.
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StarStrider
•You're welcome! This community is great for getting real advice about dealing with Washington ESD.
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Sean Doyle
One last thing - if you get denied for any reason, don't panic. You have the right to appeal and lots of denials get overturned on appeal. The important thing is to file the appeal within 30 days of getting the denial notice.
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NebulaNova
•Good to know there's an appeal process. Hopefully I won't need it but it's reassuring.
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Zara Rashid
•Appeals are actually pretty common and successful if you have good documentation. Don't let a denial discourage you.
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Luca Romano
•If you do need to appeal, that's another time when getting through to Washington ESD by phone is really important. That Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier could be helpful for that too.
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