What are the criteria to qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington?

Thanks! What counts as 'through no fault of your own'? I wasn't fired for cause or anything, they just said they were cutting staff due to budget issues.

That would qualify as a layoff, which definitely meets the 'no fault of your own' requirement. You should be good on that front.

How many job searches do I need to do each week?

It's typically 3 job search activities per week, but it can vary based on your situation. Some people might need more if they're in certain programs.

How much does that cost? Seems sketchy to pay someone to make phone calls for you.

I thought the same thing at first, but when you're trying to pay bills and can't get answers about your claim, it's worth it. They don't ask for any personal info beyond what's needed to connect you.

Might have to look into that if I run into issues. Thanks for the tip!

What if you don't meet those requirements in the regular base period? Are you just out of luck?

No, Washington ESD can use an 'alternate base period' which looks at the last four completed quarters instead. This helps people who worked more recently but might not have enough in the standard base period.

That's good to know. I was worried because I only started working full-time about 18 months ago.

How long does the application process usually take?

If everything goes smoothly, maybe a week or two. But if there are any issues with your claim it can go into adjudication and take weeks longer.

What about if you're going to school? Can you still get unemployment?

That's tricky. Generally you have to be available for work, so full-time school can be an issue. But there are some training programs that Washington ESD approves where you can still collect benefits.

The Worker Retraining Program is one option, but you have to get approval before starting school.

That sounds frustrating. What kind of verification did they need?

they wanted pay stubs and some form from my employer. apparently my employer didn't respond to their initial request so it got delayed

I quit because my boss was making my life miserable but I don't have much documentation. Would that count?

It could, but you'd need to document everything you can remember and be prepared for your former employer to contest it. Washington ESD will investigate and make a determination.

Is there a deadline for filing the weekly claims?

Yes, you generally need to file your weekly claim by the end of the week you're claiming. If you miss it, you might lose that week's benefits.

It's calculated from when you file your initial claim. So if you file in January 2025, they'd typically look at your wages from July 2023 through June 2024 for the standard base period.

That seems like a weird way to do it. What if you were making more money recently?

That's why the alternate base period exists - it uses the four most recently completed quarters, which might capture your higher recent earnings.

How much can you earn before they cut off your benefits completely?

In Washington, you can earn up to your weekly benefit amount plus $5 before they start reducing your benefits dollar-for-dollar. The exact calculation depends on your benefit amount.

How long did the appeal process take?

About 3 weeks for me, but I've heard it can vary a lot depending on how backed up they are.

Did they actually help resolve your adjudication issue or just get you through to someone?

They got me through to an agent who was able to explain what was happening with my claim and what I needed to do to resolve it. Turned out to be something simple that got fixed the same day.

There's no minimum age requirement for unemployment benefits in Washington, but you'd still need to meet all the other requirements like having sufficient wage credits and being available for work.

Good to know, thanks. I was asking for my younger brother who just lost his part-time job.

When's the best time to call then?

I've had luck calling around 2 PM on weekdays. Still takes forever but better than morning rush.

Or just use Claimyr and skip the whole phone queue nightmare entirely!

Can you have taxes taken out automatically or do you have to pay estimated taxes?

You can request to have federal taxes withheld when you set up your claim. I think it's 10% automatically but you should check with Washington ESD or a tax professional.

How does that work exactly? I did some freelance work last year.

If you elected to pay into the unemployment system as a self-employed person, those wages can count. But it's not automatic - you have to specifically opt in and pay the premiums.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel much more confident about applying now.

Good luck with your claim! Don't hesitate to ask if you run into any issues during the process.

That's really good advice. I'll start doing that from day one.

Trust me, it saves so much hassle if you ever need to prove something later on.