Washington ESD employment requirements - how long do u have to be employed to get unemployment benefits?

Thank you! That's a relief. What exactly counts as the base period? I started working in March of last year so I'm trying to figure out if I have enough quarters.

If you file now, your base period would be January 2024 through December 2024. Since you started in March 2024, you'd have earnings in Q1 (March), Q2, Q3, and Q4 of 2024, so you're definitely covered.

You're absolutely right. For 2025, you need to have earned at least $8,050 during your base period OR earned at least $5,365 with earnings in a quarter outside the base period equaling 1.5 times your highest quarter.

Wow that's complicated. I think I make around $3200 a month so over 8 months that should be enough right?

Yeah you should be fine with those earnings. The wage requirements aren't usually the problem for most people who've worked several months.

Really? I've heard the phone lines are impossible. How does that service work exactly?

They basically handle the calling for you and get you connected to an ESD agent. Way better than spending your whole day redialing and getting nowhere.

Is it expensive though? I'm already worried about money if I lose my job.

What do you mean by terrible system? Is it hard to file the claim?

the website crashes constantly, you can never get anyone on the phone, and they take forever to process claims. just be prepared for frustration

Yeah it would definitely be a layoff if it happens. They've already cut several people's hours and I think more layoffs are coming.

Make sure you document everything - keep emails, schedules showing reduced hours, anything that shows it's not your fault if you do get laid off.

That's scary. What kind of trouble did you have?

They put my claim in adjudication for weeks even though I was clearly laid off. Had to provide tons of documentation. Eventually got approved but it took months.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr - needed to talk to someone at ESD to explain my situation and couldn't get through any other way.

Quarters are just 3-month periods: Q1 is Jan-Mar, Q2 is Apr-Jun, Q3 is Jul-Sep, Q4 is Oct-Dec. So 6 months would span at least 2 quarters depending on when you started.

Oh ok that makes sense. I started in August so I'd have Q3 and Q4 of last year plus Q1 of this year.

What kind of job search requirements?

You have to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a log of all your job search activities. They can audit this at any time.

And you have to register with WorkSource Washington within a certain timeframe after filing.

What kind of documentation should I gather?

Pay stubs from all your jobs during the base period, any layoff notices, employment verification letters, basically anything that proves when you worked and how much you made.

Good to know! I make decent money so hopefully that helps.

Yeah you should be fine. The minimum wage requirements aren't that high if you're working full time.

Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely file right away if it happens.

This is super important advice. I waited a week to file and lost out on that week's benefits.

That's really discouraging. I hope I don't have to deal with all that.

It doesn't have to be that bad if you know how to navigate it. Services like Claimyr really help with the phone situation, and once you understand the process it gets easier.

How do you provide wage documentation?

Pay stubs, W-2s, sometimes employment verification forms. They'll tell you what they need if there's an issue.

Thanks, I needed to hear that. I do feel weird about the idea of collecting unemployment.

Exactly! You earned those benefits through your work. It's not charity, it's insurance.

Wow really? That would definitely help if I lose my job.

Yeah, the amount depends on your earnings during the base period, but Washington has some of the better unemployment benefits in the country.

What's the difference with standby benefits?

With standby, you don't have to do job searches because you're expected to return to your job when called back. But you have to be available to return immediately when they call.

That's really smart advice. Better to be prepared than scrambling later.

Exactly. The last thing you want is to be dealing with technical issues and missing documents when you're already stressed about losing your job.

Seems like a lot of people have had success with that service. Good to know it's an option.

I was skeptical at first but honestly anything is better than spending days trying to get through on your own.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice. Feeling much more prepared now if the worst happens.

Good luck! Hopefully you won't need to use any of this information, but it's good to know your options.