What makes you not qualify for unemployment benefits with Washington ESD?

There are several common reasons Washington ESD denies unemployment claims. The main ones are: not having enough wages in your base period (they look at the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters), being fired for misconduct, quitting without good cause, not being able and available for work, or not actively seeking work. Did your denial letter mention which category you fall into?

i got denied too and it was because they said i quit my job voluntarily even though i was basically forced out due to harassment. the system is so messed up, they don't care about the real reasons people leave jobs

You definitely should understand your denial reason before deciding whether to appeal. The most common disqualifications I see are: insufficient earnings (need at least $5,265 in your base period in 2025), being fired for willful misconduct, voluntary quit without good cause, refusing suitable work, or not meeting weekly claim requirements. Have you tried calling Washington ESD to get clarification on your specific case?

Most people don't realize that Washington ESD looks at your earnings in specific quarters, not just how long you worked. They use your base period which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed. So if you filed in January 2025, they'd look at quarters from January 2024 through September 2024.

WASHINGTON ESD IS THE WORST!! They denied me for 'not actively seeking work' even though I was applying to jobs every single day. Their job search requirements are impossible to meet and then they penalize you for it. The whole system is designed to deny people benefits they deserve.

For anyone reading this thread, here's a quick checklist for Washington ESD unemployment eligibility: 1) Sufficient wages in base period (at least $5,265 total with earnings in at least 2 quarters), 2) Lost job through no fault of your own, 3) Physically able to work, 4) Available for work, 5) Actively seeking work (3 activities per week), 6) Register with WorkSourceWA. Missing any of these can lead to denial.

One thing people often miss is that being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you - it depends on WHY you were fired. If it was for reasons beyond your control (like poor performance despite trying your best), you might still qualify. But if it was for misconduct like violating company policy or not showing up, that's a disqualification.

Update: I called Washington ESD using that Claimyr service someone mentioned and finally got through to an agent! Turns out I do qualify under the alternate base period like someone suggested. They're processing my appeal now and said I should hear back within 2-3 weeks. Thanks everyone for the help understanding the denial reasons!

just want to add that if you're self-employed or an independent contractor, you usually don't qualify for regular unemployment unless you opted into coverage. a lot of gig workers don't realize this and get confused when they're denied

Another common denial reason is if you're receiving other benefits that conflict with unemployment. Like if you're getting workers' comp or certain types of pensions, that can make you ineligible or reduce your benefit amount. Washington ESD checks for these overlaps.

I got denied because I moved to Washington from another state and they said I didn't have enough Washington wages. But I thought you could combine wages from different states? This is so confusing.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Even if you qualify, you won't get paid for your first week of unemployment. It's not really a denial but it confuses people who expect payment right away.

If you quit your job, you need to prove you had 'good cause' which is pretty specific. Just being unhappy or having a bad boss usually isn't enough. It has to be something like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or significant changes to your job that make it unreasonable to continue.

Pro tip: always file your appeal within 30 days if you disagree with a denial. The appeal deadline is strict and you'll lose your chance if you miss it. Even if you're not sure whether you have a case, it's better to appeal and let them review it.

I see a lot of people getting denied for 'refusal of suitable work' when they turn down job offers. But the job has to actually be suitable - meaning it's in your field, matches your skills, and pays at least 80% of your previous wage (in the first few weeks of unemployment). You're not required to take just any job immediately.

One more thing - if you're attending school or training, that can affect your eligibility. You have to be available for work, so if your school schedule prevents you from accepting full-time work, you might not qualify. There are some exceptions for approved training programs though.

The key is really understanding that unemployment isn't just for people who got laid off. The eligibility rules are complex and there are lots of ways to be disqualified even if you're genuinely unemployed through no fault of your own. That's why it's worth getting professional help or using services like Claimyr to talk to Washington ESD agents when you have questions.

For anyone still reading this thread, remember that even if you're initially denied, you can often fix the issue through the appeal process or by providing additional documentation. Don't give up if you think you should qualify - the initial determination isn't always the final word.