What are the requirements for unemployment in Washington ESD?

The basic requirements for Washington ESD unemployment are: 1) You must have worked and earned wages in Washington during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters), 2) You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, 3) You must be able and available for work, 4) You must actively search for work. For your 8 months of work, as long as you earned enough wages during your base period, you should qualify. The minimum is typically around $3,500 in your base period.

don't forget you also have to register with WorkSource within 30 days of filing your claim. that's a requirement too that some people miss

I've been dealing with Washington ESD for months and the phone system is absolutely terrible. If you need to talk to someone about your eligibility, good luck getting through. I must have called hundreds of times before I found Claimyr (claimyr.com). They actually get you connected to a real person at Washington ESD without all the busy signals and hang-ups. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works.

Here are the key monetary requirements: You need to have earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period, and your total base period wages must be at least 680 times the state minimum wage. For 2025, that's approximately $11,220. You also need to have earned at least $1,090 in your highest quarter. These amounts determine both eligibility and your weekly benefit amount.

The whole system is a nightmare. I've been trying to get answers about my claim for WEEKS. The website crashes constantly, phone lines are always busy, and when you do get through they put you on hold forever then hang up on you. It's like they don't want people to actually get benefits.

Don't forget about the weekly requirements once you're approved. You have to file your weekly claim every week, even if you haven't received your first payment yet. You also need to be able and available for work each day of the week, which means you can't be sick, on vacation, or unavailable for any reason without reporting it.

make sure you understand the difference between being laid off and being fired. if you were fired for misconduct you probably won't qualify. but if you were laid off due to lack of work or company downsizing you should be fine

Another important requirement is that you must be a US citizen or have work authorization. You'll need to provide documentation of your citizenship or work authorization status when you apply. Also, if you're receiving certain types of other benefits, it might affect your unemployment eligibility.

The job search requirement is 3 contacts per week but they can audit your job search log at any time. Make sure you're keeping detailed records of every application, interview, and contact. I got audited after 2 months and had to provide documentation for everything.

You also need to be physically able to work. If you have any medical conditions that prevent you from working, you won't qualify for regular unemployment. In that case you might need to look into disability benefits instead.

pro tip: when you apply, have all your employer information ready including exact dates of employment, reason for separation, and supervisor contact info. the application will ask for details about every job you had in the last 18 months

One thing people don't realize is that if you quit your job, you generally can't get unemployment unless you had good cause. Good cause includes things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or major changes to your job duties or pay.

The waiting week requirement was eliminated in Washington, so you can get paid for your first week of unemployment if you're eligible. That's different from some other states.

If you're still in school or training, you might not qualify for regular unemployment benefits. There are some exceptions for approved training programs, but generally you need to be available for full-time work.

Just want to follow up on the Claimyr thing - I ended up using it again last week when I had questions about my job search requirements. Got through to someone at Washington ESD in about 10 minutes instead of spending hours trying to call. Definitely worth it if you run into any issues with your claim.

remember that your benefits are based on your highest quarter of earnings in your base period. so if you made more money earlier in your work history, that might help your benefit amount even if your most recent job was lower paying

The key thing is to apply as soon as possible after you become unemployed. Benefits don't start until you file your claim, so don't wait thinking you'll find a job quickly. You can always stop claiming if you find work.

Also be aware that if you do any part-time or temporary work while collecting unemployment, you need to report it on your weekly claim. They'll deduct a portion of your earnings from your benefits, but you might still get some money.

The application process itself is pretty straightforward once you have all your information together. Just make sure you answer all questions honestly and completely. If you're not sure about something, it's better to call and ask than to guess wrong.

Final tip: keep copies of everything you submit and take screenshots of your weekly claims. The system sometimes has glitches and it's helpful to have proof of what you submitted and when.