What are the requirements of unemployment benefits in Washington - confused about eligibility

The basic eligibility requirements for Washington unemployment are: 1) You must have earned enough wages during your base period (usually first 4 of last 5 quarters), 2) You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, 3) You must be able and available for work, and 4) You must actively seek work. For the wage requirement, you need at least $7,000 in your base period with wages in at least two quarters.

once you start getting benefits you have to file weekly claims every week and report any work or earnings. you also have to do the job search stuff like the other person said. missing your weekly claim can mess up your payments so dont forget

I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions about my eligibility requirements. Their phone lines are always busy and the website isn't super clear about some things. I ended up using this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Don't forget about the work search requirements! You have to register with WorkSource Washington and create a profile there. Plus you need to keep track of every job you apply for including the date, company name, position, and how you applied.

also make sure you report for jury duty or any training programs you might do. basically anything that affects your availability for work needs to be reported on your weekly claim

One thing that trips people up is the 'able and available' requirement. This means you have to be physically and mentally capable of working, and you can't have restrictions that would prevent you from accepting suitable work. If you have childcare issues or transportation problems, you need to address those to maintain eligibility.

The wage requirement can be confusing too. They look at your highest quarter earnings in your base period to determine your weekly benefit amount. Maximum is currently around $999 per week but most people get way less than that.

ugh the system is so complicated. i got denied initially because i didnt understand some of the requirements and had to appeal. took forever to get it sorted out

Important to note that if you're fired for misconduct or quit without good cause, you won't qualify. 'Good cause' is pretty specific - things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or significant changes to your job that you didn't agree to.

Don't forget you have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits! They don't automatically withhold federal taxes unless you request it. I learned this the hard way at tax time.

The waiting week thing is gone now which is good. You used to have to wait a week before getting benefits but they eliminated that during COVID and it's stayed eliminated.

If you have issues with your claim or need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about the requirements, I've had good luck with Claimyr recently. Saved me hours of trying to get through on the phone. They help you connect with an actual person who can answer your specific questions.

make sure you understand the difference between regular UI and other programs like standby. if youre temporarily laid off and expect to go back to work, you might be on standby status which has different requirements

Also be aware that if you move out of state while collecting benefits, you need to notify Washington ESD. You can still collect benefits in most cases but there are additional requirements and restrictions.

The key thing is to be honest and accurate on everything. Washington ESD cross-checks a lot of information and if they find discrepancies, it can cause major problems with your claim. Better to ask questions upfront than deal with overpayment issues later.

One more thing - if you're self-employed or a contractor, the requirements are different. You might not qualify for regular unemployment but could be eligible for other programs depending on your situation.

Just wanted to follow up on the Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier - I used it again this week when I had questions about my job search requirements and it worked great. Really saved me time and frustration trying to reach Washington ESD directly.

Remember to keep all your documentation organized! Pay stubs, termination letters, job search records, anything related to your claim. Washington ESD can request this stuff at any time and you need to be able to provide it quickly.

the most important thing is just to file your weekly claims on time every week. even if you have questions or issues, keep filing those claims or you'll lose benefits for those weeks

Hope this helps OP! The Washington unemployment system has its quirks but once you understand the requirements it's manageable. Just stay on top of your weekly claims and job search activities and you should be fine.

Just to add one more important point - make sure you report ALL income when you file your weekly claims, even small amounts like odd jobs or freelance work. Washington ESD gets income data from multiple sources and if there's a mismatch it can trigger an overpayment situation. I've seen people get hit with huge bills because they forgot to report a few hundred dollars they earned. It's better to be completely transparent from the start. Also, if you're unsure about anything, document your questions and the answers you get from ESD representatives - having a paper trail can really help if there are disputes later.