What does it take to be eligible for unemployment in Washington ESD?

There are several key requirements for Washington unemployment eligibility. First, you need sufficient earnings during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). You also need to be unemployed through no fault of your own, able and available for work, and actively seeking employment. Based on what you described, being let go due to restructuring should qualify as involuntary separation.

You should definitely apply! The worst they can say is no, but from what you described you probably qualify. Just make sure you have all your employment information ready - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation.

One thing to keep in mind - if you quit a job voluntarily or were fired for misconduct, that can disqualify you. But layoffs, reductions in force, or being let go for business reasons usually qualify you for benefits.

I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I was trying to figure out my eligibility. Spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Might be worth checking out if you run into phone issues.

Don't forget about the job search requirements! Once you start receiving benefits, you'll need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities.

ugh the whole system is so confusing. I've been trying to figure out if I qualify too and every website says something slightly different about the earnings requirements

Another important thing - you need to register with WorkSource Washington and create a job seeker profile. This is required to maintain eligibility for benefits.

Make sure you file as soon as possible! Benefits are effective from the Sunday of the week you file, not from when you actually lost your job. So don't wait around.

I got denied initially because they said I didn't have enough wages in one quarter, but then I appealed and got approved. Sometimes their initial calculation is wrong so don't give up if you get denied at first.

Also remember you need to be a US citizen or authorized to work in the US. And you have to be physically able to work and available for work during normal business hours.

The system has gotten better since COVID but it's still pretty overwhelmed. When I filed last year it took like 3 weeks just to get my first payment approved

One more thing - if you worked in multiple states, you might need to file in the state where you worked the most. Since you mentioned working in Washington, you should be fine filing with Washington ESD.

The monetary determination will tell you exactly how much you can receive and for how long. In Washington, you can get up to 26 weeks of benefits, and the weekly amount is based on your highest earning quarter.

Just be prepared for the adjudication process if there are any questions about your separation. They might contact your former employer to verify the reason you were let go.

honestly the hardest part for me was just getting through on the phone to ask questions. spent literally hours trying to reach someone at Washington ESD

Don't forget to keep all your paperwork! Paycheck stubs, separation notice, any documentation about why you were let go. You might need it for verification.

The online application is pretty straightforward once you get started. Just take your time and make sure all the information is accurate. Mistakes can delay your claim.

One last tip - set up direct deposit if you can. It's faster than waiting for a debit card to arrive in the mail, and you'll get your benefits quicker.