What is youth unemployment rate in Washington ESD - help understanding my eligibility

Youth unemployment is just a statistical category that tracks unemployment rates for people typically aged 16-24. It doesn't mean you get different benefits through Washington ESD - you follow the same rules as everyone else if you qualify. Since you worked 8 months, you should have enough work history to qualify for regular UI benefits.

The youth unemployment rate is usually higher than the overall rate because young people often have less work experience and face more competition. But like the previous poster said, Washington ESD treats all claimants the same regardless of age as long as you meet the basic requirements.

Youth unemployment is mostly just an economic indicator, not a program. The high youth unemployment rates you see in the news (usually around 10-15% compared to 4-6% overall) reflect that young people face unique challenges finding work - less experience, more likely to work in industries with high turnover, etc.

been there! when I was 18 I thought youth unemployment meant there was some special youth benefits program lol. nope, just means we get screwed over more often in the job market

One thing that might be relevant for you - make sure you understand Washington ESD's job search requirements. You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log. Since you're young and might not have done this before, make sure you're documenting everything properly.

Wait so if I'm 22 and in college part time am I still considered 'youth unemployment' for statistics? I'm so confused about all these categories

The youth unemployment thing is really just about labor market statistics. Politicians and economists use it to track how well young people are transitioning into the workforce. For your actual Washington ESD claim, your age doesn't matter as long as you meet the work and wage requirements.

honestly the whole youth unemployment conversation is depressing. like we already know it's harder for young people to find jobs, do we really need statistics confirming it?

Since you mentioned not hearing back from Washington ESD yet - that's pretty normal for initial claims to take 1-2 weeks for a determination. Just make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even if you haven't been approved yet, because you can't backdate those if you miss them.

For what it's worth, I was 21 when I first filed for unemployment and had no issues with Washington ESD. Age really isn't a factor in the claims process - it's all about your work history and earnings. Youth unemployment is more about labor market trends than individual benefit programs.

The high youth unemployment rates also reflect that young people are more likely to work in industries with seasonal layoffs or high turnover - retail, food service, etc. So even though the statistics look bad, it doesn't mean young people can't access the same unemployment benefits as everyone else.

If anyone is still having trouble reaching Washington ESD about their claims, I had success with Claimyr after weeks of trying to call on my own. They basically get you connected to an actual person instead of dealing with the automated system that always hangs up on you.

Just to clarify something that got mentioned earlier - being a student doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits, but Washington ESD will look at whether you're available for full-time work. If you're only available for part-time work because of classes, that could affect your eligibility.

can we talk about how stupid it is that youth unemployment is always so much higher but nobody actually does anything about it? like great, we have statistics, now what?

For OP - since this is your first time dealing with unemployment, make sure you understand that you need to actively look for work and be ready to accept suitable employment. Washington ESD defines 'suitable work' differently based on how long you've been unemployed, so the requirements can change over time.

This thread is actually really helpful! I'm 24 so technically still in the 'youth' category for statistics but I've been working for 6 years. It's weird to think I'm lumped in with teenagers who've never had a job before.

One more thing about job searching while young - don't let the high youth unemployment statistics discourage you. Yes, it might take longer to find something, but there are also advantages to being young in the job market. Employers like hiring people who are energetic and willing to learn.

Final thought - youth unemployment is high partly because young people are more likely to quit jobs to look for better opportunities, which technically counts as 'unemployment' even if it's voluntary. So the statistics include people who are being strategic about their careers, not just people who can't find work.