Washington ESD unemployment qualification requirements - need help understanding eligibility

To qualify for Washington ESD unemployment benefits, you need to meet several requirements. First, you must have earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period (which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file). You also need to have earned at least $3,850 total during your base period, with at least $1,925 in your highest quarter. Since you worked 14 months total, you should meet the work history requirement. You also need to be unemployed through no fault of your own, be able and available for work, and actively seek work.

You don't need to have worked full-time to qualify for Washington ESD unemployment. The main requirements are: 1) You must have earned at least $7,000 during your base period, 2) You must have worked in at least two quarters of your base period, and 3) Your weekly earnings in your highest quarter must be at least 1.5 times your weekly earnings in your lowest earning quarter. Your base period is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim.

The Washington ESD website has a tool to help you estimate your benefits but honestly it's pretty clunky. You also need to be able and available for work, actively looking for work, and you can't have quit without good cause or been fired for misconduct.

the wage thing is confusing but basically if you made decent money the past year you should be fine. i qualified with way less work history than you have

I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I was trying to understand my eligibility too. If you need to talk to someone directly about your specific situation, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to actual ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helped me get my questions answered when I couldn't get through on my own.

Don't forget about the able and available requirement! You have to be physically and mentally able to work, available for work, and not have any restrictions that would prevent you from accepting suitable work. This trips up some people who think they can collect while they're not really looking or available.

I think there's also a waiting week requirement where you don't get paid for the first week, but I'm not sure if that's still in effect. The rules seem to change a lot.

Make sure you apply as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. There can be delays in processing claims and you want to get your application in right away. Also gather all your employment information before you start the online application.

The online application through SecureAccess Washington isn't too bad once you get started. Just be prepared for it to take some time to complete thoroughly.

Just wanted to mention that if you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your eligibility, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually reach a live agent. They have this demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call.

Just a heads up that even if you qualify initially, you'll need to file weekly claims to continue receiving benefits. And you have to report any work or income during those weeks, even if it's just a few hours.

Make sure you understand the work search requirements too. In Washington you need to complete at least 3 work search activities per week and keep a log. This includes things like applying for jobs, attending job fairs, or networking activities. Don't wait to start your job search until after you file - document everything from the beginning.

ugh the whole system is so confusing, i wish they would just make it clearer what you need to qualify

ugh the whole system is so complicated!! i've been trying to figure this out for weeks and every time i think i understand something i find another requirement i didn't know about

One thing to keep in mind is that even if you qualify, there's usually a waiting week where you won't receive benefits for your first week of unemployment. Also, if you're still working reduced hours, you need to report ALL earnings when you file your weekly claims - they'll calculate partial benefits based on what you earn.

One thing to be aware of is that if you quit your job, it's much harder to qualify. Since your restaurant closed, you should be fine, but just mentioning it for others reading this thread.

Don't stress too much about qualifying - if you worked steadily for over a year and the business closed, you almost certainly meet the requirements. The hardest part is usually just getting through the application process and any follow-up questions they might have.

Don't forget you also need to be a US citizen or authorized to work in the US, and you need to have been separated from work through no fault of your own. Sounds like your situation with hour reduction should qualify.

The Washington ESD adjudication process can take forever if there are any questions about your eligibility. I'd recommend applying as soon as possible and making sure all your information is accurate and complete.

Pro tip: when you file your claim, be very detailed about why your employment ended. Write 'Business permanently closed' or something similar rather than just 'laid off' so it's crystal clear it wasn't your fault.

Also worth noting that your weekly benefit amount will be calculated based on your earnings during your base period. Higher earnings = higher weekly benefits, up to the state maximum.

Just apply online through the secure access washington portal. The application will walk you through all the eligibility questions and you'll know pretty quickly if you qualify based on your work history.

If you run into any issues with your claim or need to speak with Washington ESD, definitely consider trying Claimyr. I used it when my claim got stuck in adjudication and was able to get through to an agent who helped resolve the issue. Way better than spending hours on hold.

If you run into issues with your application or need to speak to someone at Washington ESD about your specific situation, I really recommend trying Claimyr. I was stuck in adjudication for weeks and couldn't get through on the phone until I used their service. Way better than spending all day redialing.

The monetary determination letter you get after filing will show exactly how much you earned in each quarter and what your weekly benefit amount will be. That's when you'll know for sure that you qualified and how much you'll receive.

Good luck with your application! Sounds like you should definitely qualify based on what you've described. The restaurant closure makes it pretty straightforward since it's clearly not your fault.

Just remember to keep track of all your job search activities from day one. Even if your claim takes a while to process, you'll need to show you've been actively looking for work during that time.

This thread has been really helpful! I'm in a similar situation and wasn't sure about the requirements either. Thanks everyone for the detailed explanations.

ok so it sounds like with $18k last year i should qualify, especially since my hours got cut. gonna try to apply this weekend when i have time to focus on it

Don't forget about the identity verification process too. Washington ESD requires ID.me verification now which can add time to getting your benefits started.

The whole process can seem overwhelming but honestly once you get your first payment it feels worth all the hassle. Washington's benefits are decent compared to other states.

Make sure you understand that unemployment is temporary assistance while you look for work. The maximum is usually 26 weeks unless there are extended benefits available.

One last tip - set up direct deposit when you apply. Getting a debit card in the mail takes longer and can delay your first payment.

You're welcome! The key things to remember: earn at least $7k in base period, work in 2+ quarters, able and available for work, actively job searching, and separated through no fault of your own. Your hour reduction should definitely qualify.

Hope it goes smoothly for you! Washington ESD can be slow but they do eventually get things processed. Just be patient with the system.

And remember, if you need help reaching ESD for any reason during the process, Claimyr is there as a backup option. Sometimes talking to a real person can clear up confusion faster than trying to figure things out online.

Good luck with your application! The Washington unemployment system isn't perfect but it does help a lot of people get through tough times.