Washington ESD work requirements - how long do I need to work to collect unemployment?

Thanks! So it's not about hours worked but about earning wages in different quarters? What if I only worked in one quarter but made good money?

Correct, it's about quarters with wages, not total hours. Even if you made $50,000 in one quarter, you still need wages in at least two separate quarters to qualify.

Good to know there's a minimum earnings requirement too. Do you know if wages from other states count toward this?

Yes, out-of-state wages can count! Washington has interstate agreements so wages from other states during your base period will be included in your eligibility calculation.

I had the same phone problem until I found claimyr.com - they help you get through to Washington ESD agents without the endless busy signals. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really saved me hours of frustration.

Interesting, I'll check that out. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get actual answers about my situation.

If you file in April 2025, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024. The work you did in Jan-March 2025 wouldn't count toward this claim's base period.

That seems backwards! So recent work doesn't help with current unemployment?

It's because there's a lag time for employers to report wages to Washington ESD. Recent wages might qualify you for a future claim if needed, but not the current one.

Good point. What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? Like if your boss is making your life miserable but not technically breaking any laws?

Good cause includes things like harassment, unsafe working conditions, significant changes to your job duties or pay, or domestic violence situations. It's pretty specific and you'd need to document everything.

Thanks for the updated numbers! That's helpful to know they adjust annually.

Glad to see the amounts went up from what I remembered. Makes sense with inflation and all.

How many job search contacts do you need per week? And is there a specific format they want?

It's typically 3 job search activities per week, but can vary based on your situation. You log them through the WorkSource website and they can include applying for jobs, networking events, career fairs, etc.

That's exactly why I started using Claimyr. Getting hung up on constantly was driving me crazy. They basically handle the calling for you and connect you when an agent is available.

might have to try that. this whole process is making me lose my mind

Wait, so you don't get paid for the first week you're unemployed? That seems harsh when people are already struggling.

Exactly. It's like a deductible for unemployment insurance. You can claim it but won't get paid for that first week unless you have a valid claim that runs for several weeks.

Seasonal work can definitely qualify you for regular unemployment benefits as long as you meet the wage and quarter requirements. The key is whether you're available for work when the season ends.

That's good to hear. I wasn't sure if they'd consider it 'expected' unemployment since construction slows down every winter here.

Good reminder. Better to be honest and possibly not qualify than to get in legal trouble later.

Absolutely. The penalties for unemployment fraud are no joke - they can garnish wages and tax refunds to get their money back.

Yes, temp agency work counts as long as they were paying into the unemployment insurance system. The wages should show up on your quarterly wage statement from Washington ESD.

Perfect, thanks! I wasn't sure if temp work was treated differently.

That's exactly my problem right now. I have questions that the website can't answer but can't get through to a human.

Have you tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier? I used it for my last claim and it actually worked pretty well for getting connected to an agent.

Are there any other safety net programs if you don't qualify for unemployment?

You might qualify for food assistance, housing help, or other state programs. The DSHS website has information about different assistance programs available in Washington.

That's good to know! So if recent work doesn't count under the regular base period, there might still be another option?

Exactly. The alternate base period uses the four most recently completed quarters, so it includes more recent work. Washington ESD will automatically check this if you don't qualify under the standard base period.

Thanks everyone! This has been super helpful. Sounds like I need to wait until I've worked a couple quarters before I'd be eligible if something happened.

That's right. Keep track of your earnings each quarter and you'll have a better idea of your eligibility if you ever need to file a claim.