What are the eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

The basic eligibility requirements for Washington ESD unemployment benefits are pretty straightforward. You need to have worked and earned wages during your base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters), be unemployed through no fault of your own, be able and available for work, and actively seeking work. For the monetary requirement, you need at least $1,005 in your highest quarter and total base period wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings.

Don't forget about the waiting week - there's no waiting week in Washington anymore but you still need to file your initial claim right away. The sooner you apply, the sooner your claim can be processed. Your benefit amount will be based on your wages during the base period.

I had trouble reaching Washington ESD when I first applied - their phone lines are always busy. If you need to talk to someone about your eligibility, I found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helps you get through to an actual ESD agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.

You also need to register with WorkSource Washington within 2 weeks of filing your claim unless you're on standby with a definite return date. This is required for all claimants now.

Make sure you understand the difference between being 'able and available' versus just available. You have to be physically and mentally capable of working, not just willing to work. If you have any medical issues that prevent you from working, that could affect your eligibility.

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! I've been trying to figure this out for weeks and keep getting different answers. Why can't they just make it simple?

Another thing to keep in mind - if you quit your job voluntarily, you might still be eligible if you had good cause. But layoffs are usually pretty straightforward for approval as long as you meet the other requirements.

The income requirements aren't too high. Based on your $28k, you should easily meet the monetary eligibility. The trickier part is often the ongoing requirements like job searches and weekly claims.

Don't overthink it - just apply! The worst they can do is deny you, and then you can appeal if needed. Most people who were laid off through no fault of their own qualify if they worked enough.

If you do get approved, remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes taken out of your weekly payments or pay them later.

Also worth noting - you can work part-time while collecting unemployment as long as you report all earnings. Your benefits will be reduced but you might still get some money.

I second the Claimyr recommendation if you need to talk to ESD. I used them when my claim got stuck in adjudication and they got me through to someone who could actually help resolve the issue.

Make sure you have all your employment information ready when you apply - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation. Having this organized will make the application process much smoother.

The system has gotten better since COVID but there are still delays sometimes. Don't panic if your claim takes a few weeks to process - that's normal for many people.

Remember that you need to be actively looking for work from day one, not just when your benefits start. Keep detailed records of your job search activities.

If you worked in multiple states, you might need to file in the state where you earned the most wages. Since you mentioned working retail locally, Washington is probably the right state for you.

The good news is that Washington ESD benefits are among the better ones in the country. The maximum weekly benefit is pretty decent and the duration is up to 26 weeks in normal times.

One last tip - if you have any questions about your specific situation, Claimyr really is worth it. I was skeptical at first but they saved me so much time and stress dealing with ESD's phone system.

Good luck with your application! Based on what you've described, you should qualify. The key is just getting started and staying on top of your weekly claims once approved.