What do u need to qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington state?

ok that helps! what counts as sufficient earnings though? i was making like $15/hour at the retail job

At $15/hour, if you worked even 20 hours a week for 8 months, you'd easily meet the earnings requirement. Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit based on your highest earning quarter in the base period.

do they actually check the job applications or is it just on the honor system?

They can audit your job search activities and ask for proof, so definitely keep records of where you applied, when, and any responses you get.

I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr - they help you get through to Washington ESD agents by calling for you. Check out claimyr.com, they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Finally got my adjudication issue resolved after weeks of trying on my own.

interesting, how does that work exactly? is it legit?

Yeah it's totally legit. They basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you directly to a Washington ESD rep when they get through. Saved me hours of frustration.

oh no that sounds scary. what if my manager says something different than what they told me?

If there's a discrepancy, Washington ESD will investigate and you'll have a chance to provide your side of the story. Keep any documentation you have about the layoff - emails, texts, anything that shows it was due to budget cuts.

This is exactly why I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. When my claim went into adjudication, I needed to speak with someone at Washington ESD urgently to provide additional documentation. Worth every penny to avoid the phone hassle.

Yes, you need to register with WorkSourceWA within 4 weeks of filing your unemployment claim. It's part of the work search requirements. You can do it online at worksourcewa.com.

ok good to know, thanks!

should i apply even if im not 100% sure i qualify?

Yes, definitely apply. Let Washington ESD determine your eligibility - better to apply and get denied than to miss out on benefits you were entitled to.

While the system can be frustrating, most people who legitimately qualify do eventually get their benefits. The key is following all the rules and staying on top of your weekly claims.

easy for you to say. ive been waiting 2 months for my adjudication to finish

Have you tried that calling service people mentioned? Claimyr or whatever? Might be worth it if you've been waiting that long. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person to get things moving.

Yes, tips count as wages for unemployment purposes if they were reported to your employer and you paid taxes on them. If you received cash tips that weren't reported, those wouldn't count toward your benefit calculation.

got it, most of my tips were on credit cards so they were definitely reported

good advice, thank you!

what counts as suitable work?

Generally work in your field or something similar, at wages comparable to what you were making before. The definition gets broader the longer you're unemployed though.

This is so true. I spent literally hours on hold trying to reach Washington ESD about a simple question. Finally broke down and used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above and got through in like 20 minutes. Should have done it weeks earlier.

do i need pay stubs or will they get that info from my employer?

They get wage information from employers, but having your pay stubs can be helpful if there are any discrepancies or if you need to prove your earnings.

Correct, Washington eliminated the waiting week in 2020 and it hasn't been reinstated. You can receive benefits for your first week of unemployment if you're otherwise eligible.

thank you! hopefully it won't take too long