What is the eligibility for unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

Thanks! What exactly is the 'base year' though? Is that the last 12 months I worked?

The base year is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So it depends on when you file, but it's not necessarily your last 12 months of work.

It's actually a minimum of 3 job search activities per week, and you have to keep a detailed log of all your job search efforts in case Washington ESD asks for it during an audit.

Do I need to register with WorkSource before I file my claim or can I do it after?

You can register after filing your initial claim, but you need to do it within a reasonable time frame. I'd recommend doing it as soon as possible to avoid any delays.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already stressed about money since I lost my job.

I don't remember the exact cost but it was worth it to actually talk to someone who could answer my questions instead of spending hours on hold or getting busy signals.

Never heard of that service but anything that helps get through to Washington ESD sounds useful. The wait times are ridiculous.

Good point! I should gather all my pay stubs and employment records before I start the application.

Yes, and make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and bank account information for direct deposit setup.

Oh no, now I'm worried I might not qualify. How do I calculate this? I made about $3,200 per month at my job.

You should be fine with those wages. $3,200 x 8 months is $25,600 total, which is way above the minimum requirements. Just make sure those wages were spread across at least two quarters.

You can check your wage history on the Washington ESD website once you create your account. That will show you exactly what wages they have on record for each quarter.

So even if I file today, I won't get paid for the first week?

Exactly. The first week you file is your waiting week and you won't get paid for it, but you still need to file your weekly claim to establish your claim.

Really? So if I wait another week to file, I lose a week of potential benefits?

Yes, exactly. File your initial claim ASAP, even if you're not 100% sure about everything. You can always provide additional information later if needed.

This is so true. I waited two weeks because I thought I might get called back to work and ended up losing those two weeks of benefits when I didn't get rehired.

I did get two weeks of vacation pay when I was laid off. Does that mean I have to wait longer to get benefits?

You'll need to report that vacation pay when you file your claim. It might delay when your benefits start, but you should still file your claim right away to get the process started.

Tell me about it. Getting through on the phone is nearly impossible most days. I've tried calling first thing in the morning and that seems to work better than calling later in the day.

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr when I needed to reach an agent. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get your questions answered properly.

What happens if I make a mistake on one of the weekly claims?

You can usually fix minor mistakes by calling Washington ESD or updating your information online, but it's better to be careful the first time. Major mistakes might require adjudication which can delay your payments.

Adjudication is the worst. My claim went into adjudication status for 6 weeks over a simple misunderstanding about my last day of work.

What if you were fired for poor performance? Does that disqualify you?

It depends on the specific circumstances. If you were fired for serious misconduct, you'll likely be disqualified. But if it was just poor performance or not being a good fit, you might still qualify. Washington ESD will investigate and make a determination.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful information! I'm going to file my claim today and register with WorkSource. Feeling much more confident about the process now.

Good luck! The first few weeks can be confusing but once you get into the routine of filing weekly claims it becomes much easier.

Also retirement benefits can affect your unemployment if you're over a certain age. But again, probably not an issue for most people.

That's a great suggestion! I'll look for that on their website.

Yeah it's under the 'Am I Eligible' section. Takes like 5 minutes and gives you a basic yes/no answer based on your situation.

This is good advice. Sometimes the eligibility rules are more flexible than they seem, especially if you have unusual circumstances.

Agreed. I had a weird situation with multiple part-time jobs and thought I wouldn't qualify, but Washington ESD was able to combine all my wages to meet the requirements.

Good reminder! I'll set up calendar alerts to make sure I don't forget to file each week.

Smart idea. I use a recurring reminder on my phone every Sunday to file my weekly claim. Makes it much easier to remember.