What qualifies for unemployment benefits in Washington state - confused about requirements

You likely qualify! Washington ESD has specific eligibility requirements: you need to have earned at least $1,815 in your base period (usually first 4 of last 5 completed quarters), be unemployed through no fault of your own, and be able and available for work. Restructuring usually counts as a layoff, which qualifies you. With $2,100/month for 8 months, you should meet the income requirement.

restructuring = layoff in most cases so you're good there. the income thing is confusing but 2100/month should definitely be enough. you also have to register with WorkSource and do job searches every week

I had a similar situation last year with a retail job and qualified easily. The hardest part was actually getting through to Washington ESD by phone when I had questions. If you run into issues reaching them, I discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to actual agents. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

The main qualifications are: 1) Lost job through no fault of your own (layoffs, restructuring, reduction in force all count) 2) Meet minimum earnings in base period 3) Able and available to work 4) Actively seeking work. Your situation sounds like it fits all these criteria.

ugh the job search requirement is so annoying. like we're not already stressed enough about being unemployed

One thing people often miss - you also need to have worked at least 680 hours in your base period OR earned at least $1,815 in your highest earning quarter. Most people meet this easily but it's worth double-checking if you had irregular work schedules.

Also make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if you're waiting for your initial claim to be approved! Missing a week can cause payment delays.

Wait, I thought you had to be fired to get unemployment? I quit my last job because my hours got cut way down.

The Washington ESD website has a good eligibility quiz thing that walks you through the requirements. Helped me figure out if I qualified before I filed.

I've been waiting 3 weeks for my claim to get approved and can't reach anyone at Washington ESD. This is so frustrating!

Don't forget you also need to be a US citizen or have work authorization. And you can't be receiving certain other benefits like workers compensation.

I qualified even though I was only working part-time before I got laid off. Don't assume you won't qualify - the earnings requirement is lower than people think.

Just to add - if you worked for multiple employers in your base period, ALL of that income counts toward your qualification. Don't just think about your most recent job.

the washington esd system is so confusing compared to other states i've lived in. why do they make it so complicated?

Make sure you have all your employment info ready when you file - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, reason for separation. Speeds up the process.

I got denied initially because I put the wrong separation reason, but I appealed and got approved. Don't give up if you get denied at first!

Bottom line - if you lost your job through no fault of your own and worked regularly, you probably qualify. File ASAP since there's a waiting week and benefits don't backdate.

Also remember you can work part-time while collecting UI as long as you report it. You just can't earn more than your weekly benefit amount plus $5.

One more thing - if you have any questions during the process, that Claimyr service really does work. I was skeptical at first but it saved me so much time trying to reach Washington ESD.

Good luck with your claim! Sounds like you definitely qualify based on what you've described. The hardest part is usually just navigating the website and requirements, but you've got good info here to work with.