Washington ESD requirements for unemployment - confused about what I need to qualify

The basic Washington ESD requirements are pretty straightforward. You need to have earned enough wages in your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters), be unemployed through no fault of your own, be able and available for work, and actively seek work. Since you had your hours cut rather than being fired for cause, you should qualify. The wage requirement varies but it's not super high.

Here's what Washington ESD specifically looks for: 1) You must have worked in Washington state, 2) You must have earned at least $1,000 in your base period, 3) Your total base period wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter wages, 4) You must be unemployed or working reduced hours through no fault of your own, 5) You must register for work with WorkSource, 6) You must be physically able to work and available for full-time work.

I've been dealing with Washington ESD for months and honestly the requirements seem to change depending on who you talk to. The biggest thing is proving you're actively looking for work. They want documentation of everything - job applications, networking contacts, even attending job fairs counts. Keep detailed records of everything you do.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to get your questions answered about requirements, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you through to real agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call and getting busy signals.

One requirement people often miss - you can't quit your job voluntarily and expect to get benefits. There are exceptions for 'good cause' like unsafe working conditions or harassment, but you need to document everything if you quit.

The monetary requirements are actually pretty reasonable. I think it's something like you need to have earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period, and your total wages need to be at least 1.5 times whatever you earned in your highest quarter. Most people who worked steadily for several months qualify.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Washington ESD makes you wait one week before you can start collecting benefits, even if you qualify. It's not really a requirement to qualify, but it affects when you get your first payment.

ugh the job search requirement is so annoying... I have to keep a log of every single job I apply to and Washington ESD can ask to see it at any time. Three contacts per week minimum. And they're picky about what counts as a 'contact'.

For reduced hours situations like yours, you might qualify for partial unemployment benefits. Washington ESD has specific calculations for when you're working part-time. You report your weekly earnings and they reduce your benefit amount accordingly, but you can still get some help.

Make sure you understand the difference between 'able and available' requirements. Able means physically and mentally capable of working. Available means you're ready to accept suitable work immediately. If you have restrictions on your availability (like only certain days or hours), that might affect your benefits.

been trying to call washington esd for 3 weeks about my eligibility and cant get through to anyone... this is ridiculous

Another requirement is that you have to register with WorkSource Washington within 4 weeks of filing your claim. They'll help with job search resources and sometimes that registration requirement gets overlooked but it's mandatory.

The income requirements aren't that bad but they look at your base period which is confusing. It's not the most recent 4 quarters - it's the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters. So if you just started working recently, you might not have enough history yet.

Quick tip - when you apply make sure all your employer information is exactly right. Washington ESD will contact your previous employers to verify your employment and wages. Any discrepancies can delay your claim.

I qualified for benefits but didn't realize you have to file weekly claims to actually get paid. Meeting the initial requirements is just the first step - you have to keep certifying every week that you're still unemployed and looking for work.

The 'suitable work' requirement is important too. You can't just turn down any job offer - it has to be unsuitable based on your skills, experience, and local wage standards. Washington ESD will investigate if you turn down job offers.

Just apply! I spent weeks worried about whether I qualified and it turns out I was overthinking it. The worst thing that happens is they say no, but at least you'll know for sure. The application process itself will tell you if you meet the basic requirements.

One last thing - make sure you apply as soon as possible after your hours were cut. There's no waiting period to apply, and your benefit year starts when you file, not when you became unemployed. Don't wait thinking you need to be completely unemployed first.