Washington ESD unemployment - can anyone file for unemployment benefits?
I'm confused about who can actually file for unemployment in Washington. My sister says everyone can file but my coworker told me there are strict requirements. I worked part-time at a restaurant for 8 months before getting laid off last week. Do I qualify? What are the actual rules for filing with Washington ESD? I don't want to waste time applying if I'm not eligible.
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Amina Diop
Not everyone can file for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD. You need to meet specific eligibility requirements including having sufficient work history and wages in your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters). You also need to be unemployed through no fault of your own.
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Paolo Moretti
•What counts as sufficient work history? I worked part-time but consistently for 8 months.
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Amina Diop
•Washington requires you to have earned at least $1,001 in your base period and your total base period wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings. Part-time work can qualify if you meet these wage requirements.
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Oliver Weber
You should definitely apply! The worst they can say is no. I thought I wouldn't qualify because I was only working 25 hours a week but I got approved. Washington ESD will calculate your base period wages and let you know if you're eligible.
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Natasha Romanova
•Same here! I was working two part-time jobs and still qualified. The key is having enough total wages in your base period.
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Paolo Moretti
•That's encouraging! How long did it take to find out if you were approved?
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Oliver Weber
•About 10 days for me, but some people wait longer if there are issues with their claim.
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NebulaNinja
There are several groups who CAN'T file for regular unemployment benefits: people who quit without good cause, were fired for misconduct, are self-employed contractors, or students in certain situations. If you were laid off from your restaurant job, you should be fine to apply.
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Javier Gomez
•What about people who work gig jobs like DoorDash? I always thought they couldn't get unemployment.
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NebulaNinja
•Independent contractors typically can't get regular UI benefits, but there might be other programs available. Best to check with Washington ESD directly.
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Emma Wilson
If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about eligibility, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual person. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.
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Paolo Moretti
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already tight on money.
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Emma Wilson
•It's worth checking out their site for details. For me, the time saved was definitely worth it since I needed to get my claim issues resolved quickly.
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Amina Diop
Here are the basic eligibility requirements for Washington state unemployment: 1) You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, 2) You must have worked and earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period, 3) You must meet the minimum wage requirements I mentioned earlier, 4) You must be able and available for work, 5) You must actively search for work.
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Malik Thomas
•Don't forget you also have to register with WorkSourceWA! That's a requirement too.
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Amina Diop
•Good point! You need to register with WorkSourceWA within 30 days of filing your claim.
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Natasha Romanova
I was denied the first time I applied because I didn't understand the base period calculation. Turns out my highest earning quarter was recent and I needed to look at an earlier time period. Don't give up if you get denied initially - you can appeal!
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Paolo Moretti
•How do you figure out what your base period is? This is confusing.
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Natasha Romanova
•Your base period is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be January 2024 through December 2024.
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Isabella Oliveira
•Actually that's not quite right. If you file in January 2025, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024, not the calendar year.
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Ravi Kapoor
ugh the washington esd system is so confusing!! i tried to apply online and got stuck on the wage verification part. why cant they just make it simple - if you worked and got laid off you should get benefits period
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NebulaNinja
•I understand the frustration, but the wage requirements exist to ensure people have a substantial work history before receiving benefits. The system has to verify you actually worked enough to qualify.
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Ravi Kapoor
•i get that but the website is impossible to navigate and the phone lines are always busy
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Freya Larsen
For restaurant workers specifically, make sure you report all your tip income when you apply. A lot of servers and bartenders forget to include cash tips in their wage calculations, which can affect eligibility.
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Paolo Moretti
•I reported tips on my tax returns, will Washington ESD see that information?
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Freya Larsen
•Washington ESD gets wage information from employers, not directly from your tax returns. If your employer properly reported your tips, they should be included in your wage records.
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GalacticGladiator
Something people don't realize is that even if you're not eligible for regular unemployment, you might qualify for other programs. There's Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for some situations, or you might be eligible for standby benefits if you have a definite return-to-work date.
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NebulaNinja
•PUA ended in 2021. For 2025, we're back to regular UI benefits and some state programs. But standby is still available for temporary layoffs with expected recall dates.
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GalacticGladiator
•You're right, I should have been clearer about current programs. Thanks for the correction!
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Omar Zaki
I've been trying to call Washington ESD for three days straight to ask about my eligibility after a reduction in hours. The wait times are insane! Finally got through using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. They got me connected to an actual ESD representative who explained that I might qualify for partial benefits.
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Paolo Moretti
•Wait, you can get unemployment for reduced hours? I thought it was only for people who lost their jobs completely.
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Omar Zaki
•Yes! If your hours are significantly reduced through no fault of your own, you may qualify for partial unemployment benefits. The rep explained how they calculate it based on your reduced earnings.
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Chloe Taylor
The income requirements are: You must have earned at least $1,001 during your base period AND your total base period wages must be at least 1.5 times the amount you earned in your highest quarter. So if your highest quarter was $2,000, your total base period wages need to be at least $3,000.
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Paolo Moretti
•This is really helpful! I think I can calculate this from my pay stubs.
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Diego Flores
•You can also check your wage history online through the Washington ESD website once you create an account. It shows all the wages employers reported for you.
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Anastasia Ivanova
don't listen to people who say "just apply anyway" - if you're not eligible you're wasting everyone's time including your own. do the math first and make sure you actually qualify before submitting an application
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Oliver Weber
•I disagree. The eligibility calculations can be complex and it's better to let ESD make the official determination. Plus, some people are eligible for benefits they don't realize exist.
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Anastasia Ivanova
•fair point but at least do some basic research first so you understand what you're applying for
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Sean Murphy
For anyone reading this thread - make sure you apply as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. There's a waiting week before benefits begin, and delays in filing can mean you miss out on benefits for weeks you would have been eligible.
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Paolo Moretti
•How quickly after getting laid off should I apply?
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Sean Murphy
•File your claim the week you become unemployed or have your hours significantly reduced. Don't wait - you can't backdate claims for missed weeks in most cases.
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StarStrider
I work in HR and see this confusion a lot. The short answer is: if you worked for an employer who paid into the unemployment insurance system and you lost your job through no fault of your own, you can probably file. The wage requirements eliminate people who barely worked, but most people with steady part-time or full-time employment will qualify.
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Zara Malik
•What about people who work for really small companies? Do all employers pay into the system?
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StarStrider
•Most employers are required to pay unemployment insurance taxes, but there are some exceptions for very small employers or certain types of workers. When in doubt, apply - Washington ESD will verify your wage records.
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Luca Marino
This thread has been super helpful! I was laid off from my restaurant job two weeks ago and wasn't sure if my part-time status would disqualify me. Sounds like I should definitely apply. One more question - do I need to file weekly claims even while my initial application is being processed?
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Amina Diop
•Yes, you need to file weekly claims for every week you want to receive benefits, even while your initial claim is being processed. If you're approved, you'll be paid for those weeks retroactively.
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Emma Wilson
•And if you run into issues reaching ESD during the process, remember that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. Really helped me stay on top of my claim status.
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Luca Marino
•Thanks everyone! I'm going to apply today.
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