Washington ESD unemployment earnings requirements - how much do you have to earn to qualify?

Thanks! So if I earned $8,000 total but it was mostly in two quarters, I should qualify? How do they calculate which quarters count as my base period?

Yes, $8,000 should definitely qualify you if it's distributed properly across quarters. Washington ESD will automatically calculate your base period when you file. They look at your wage history from employers who reported your earnings.

What if you worked for cash under the table? Does that count toward the earnings requirement?

No, only wages that were reported to Washington ESD count. If your employer didn't pay into the unemployment insurance system, those wages won't show up in your claim.

Have you tried the claimyr service? I found out about it from someone on here and it actually worked for me. They help you get through to Washington ESD agents without all the waiting and getting hung up on. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that before. Is it legit? I'm getting desperate to talk to someone about my claim status.

Yeah it's real, the site is claimyr.com. I was skeptical too but it saved me so much time and frustration trying to reach them the normal way.

What counts as a job search activity? I've been applying online but wasn't sure if there were other requirements.

Applications count, but you can also do things like attend job fairs, networking events, or career workshops. You have to log everything in the WorkSourceWA system.

You need BOTH - at least $3,800 total in your entire base period AND at least $2,500 in your highest earning quarter. It's not one or the other.

oh ok that makes more sense. so basically you need a decent amount spread out over time plus one good quarter

Good advice! I have most of my pay stubs but some of the older ones are missing. Will Washington ESD be able to see all my wages even if I don't have the stubs?

Yes, as long as your employers reported your wages properly, Washington ESD will have the records. But it's always good to have your own documentation just in case there are discrepancies.

The basic structure stays the same but the dollar amounts can be adjusted. For 2025, it's still $3,800 total and $2,500 in the highest quarter. They usually announce any changes well in advance.

The weekly benefit amount calculation changes more often than the eligibility requirements. That's based on your average wages over the base period.

That's reassuring! About how much were your weekly benefits with that earning level?

I was getting around $180 per week. The exact amount depends on how your wages were distributed across the quarters in your base period.

You can potentially use wages from other states, but you'd need to file an interstate claim or transfer wages. It's more complicated and you should definitely talk to Washington ESD about your specific situation.

I had to do this when I moved to Washington from Oregon. It took extra time to process but my out of state wages did count.

How did you find out about the reporting error? Did Washington ESD catch it or did you have to investigate yourself?

I noticed the discrepancy when I filed my claim and my wage history didn't match my pay stubs. Had to contact the employer to get them to file a correction with Washington ESD.

I get the frustration but the requirements are there to prevent fraud and make sure people actually worked recently. Otherwise anyone could claim benefits years after their last job.

I guess that makes sense but it's still frustrating when you're trying to figure out if you qualify.

Did they charge you for that? Seems too good to be true.

There is a fee but honestly it was worth it to actually talk to someone about my claim. Better than taking time off work to call repeatedly and never getting through.

That's a great idea! I never thought to check my SSA records. That would definitely help me figure out my base period earnings.

Just remember that SSA shows annual totals, not quarterly breakdowns. You'll still need to estimate when you earned the money during the year.

That's good to know! I was worried that having multiple employers might complicate things.

Nope, makes no difference. As long as each employer paid into the UI system, all those wages get added together for your benefit calculation.

What counts as 'good reason' for quitting? I left my last job because of a hostile work environment but I'm worried Washington ESD won't consider that valid.

Hostile work environment can definitely be good cause, but you need documentation. Keep records of incidents, emails, complaints to HR, etc. The burden is on you to prove it was reasonable to quit.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel much more confident about filing my claim now. Fingers crossed the process goes smoothly.

Good luck! The actual filing process online is pretty straightforward once you understand the requirements. Just make sure you have all your employer information handy.