What do you need to qualify for unemployment in Washington - confused about requirements

The basic requirements are pretty straightforward - you need to have worked and earned wages in Washington during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 quarters), be unemployed through no fault of your own, be able and available to work, and actively seek work. For part-time workers, you might still qualify if your hours were reduced significantly or you were laid off.

You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, dates worked, and reason for separation. Also bank account info if you want direct deposit.

One thing people don't realize is that if you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone to ask questions about eligibility, there's actually a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. I used it when I had questions about my base period wages and it saved me hours of trying to call.

The wage requirement is key - you need to have earned at least $1,000 in your base period AND earned at least $1,000 in quarters outside your highest earning quarter. It's not just about having worked, but about earning enough wages.

ugh this is so confusing why cant they just make it simple... i worked at target for like 6 months does that count??

Don't forget about the ongoing requirements once you're approved - you have to file weekly claims, report any work and earnings, and do job search activities. The job search requirement is usually 3 job contacts per week.

I qualified even though I was only working part-time! The key for me was that I had worked consistently for over a year and my hours got cut from 30 to 15 per week. Filed for partial unemployment and it helped bridge the gap.

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator where you can estimate if you qualify and how much you might receive. It's under the 'Calculate Your Weekly Benefit' section.

MAKE SURE YOU APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER BECOMING UNEMPLOYED!! Benefits don't backdate to when you lost work, only to when you file the claim. I waited 2 weeks thinking I might get more hours and lost out on those benefits.

If you quit your job, you generally won't qualify unless it was for 'good cause' like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or other specific reasons. Being laid off or having hours reduced usually qualifies you.

The application itself is pretty straightforward on the Washington ESD website. Just have all your employment info ready and be honest about everything. They'll verify information with your employers anyway.

You also need to be a U.S. citizen or have work authorization. And you can't be receiving certain other benefits like workers' compensation for total disability.

One thing that trips people up is the 'able and available' requirement. You need to be physically able to work and available during normal business hours. If you're going to school full-time or have other commitments that limit your availability, it can affect your eligibility.

I had issues getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions about my application. Someone mentioned Claimyr earlier - I ended up trying it and it actually worked. Got connected to an agent who walked me through the whole process. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Don't overthink it - if you've been working and lost your job or had hours cut through no fault of your own, you probably qualify. The worst they can say is no, and the application is free.

Make sure you understand the difference between total unemployment and partial unemployment. If you're still working reduced hours, you file for partial benefits. If you're completely unemployed, you file for total benefits.

The key documents you'll need: SSN, driver's license, employment history for past 18 months, bank info for direct deposit, and if you're not a U.S. citizen, your work authorization documents.

last tip - when you file your weekly claims, report ALL work and earnings honestly. Even if its just a few hours. They'll find out anyway and being dishonest can disqualify you and create an overpayment.

Update on the Claimyr thing - I actually used it again last week when I had questions about my job search requirements. Still works great for getting through to someone at Washington ESD without the usual phone hassles. Worth checking out if you need to talk to someone about your specific situation.

Bottom line: if you've worked and paid into the system, lost work through no fault of your own, and are able and available to work, you likely qualify. The application will walk you through everything step by step.

Just wanted to add that if you're still employed but with reduced hours, you should also check if your employer offers any supplemental benefits or if there are any company policies about hour reductions. Sometimes retail places have internal programs to help during slow periods. But definitely don't let that stop you from filing for partial unemployment - you've paid into the system and deserve the support when your income drops significantly. The process really isn't as scary as it seems once you get started!

One thing I learned when I applied is that Washington has pretty generous eligibility rules compared to some other states. Even if you're not sure you qualify based on wages or work history, it's worth applying anyway. I was worried my part-time retail work wouldn't be enough, but I had been consistently working for over a year and it turned out fine. The system is designed to help people who are working but struggling with reduced income - that's exactly your situation. Also, once you start the application, you can save your progress and come back to it if you need to gather more information, so don't feel like you have to have everything perfect before you begin.

Based on everything shared here, it sounds like you have a strong case for partial unemployment benefits! Your situation - working retail consistently for 8 months but having hours cut due to slow business - fits perfectly within Washington's eligibility requirements. Since you didn't quit and the hour reduction wasn't your fault, you should definitely qualify. I'd recommend using that benefit calculator someone mentioned to get an estimate, and then just go ahead and file online. The application really is straightforward once you have your employment history ready. Don't let the wage requirements worry you too much - if you've been working 8 months consistently, you've likely met the base period earnings threshold. Good luck with your application!