What qualifies for unemployment benefits in Washington state?

You'll likely qualify based on what you described. Washington ESD has specific wage and work requirements - you need to have earned wages in at least two quarters during your base period, which is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. Since you were laid off (not fired for misconduct or quit without good cause), that helps your case. The key is having sufficient wages during your base period.

The main requirements for Washington unemployment are: 1) You must have worked and earned wages in at least two quarters during your base year, 2) You must have earned at least $1,005 total during your base year, 3) You must be unemployed through no fault of your own (layoffs, reduction in force, etc.), 4) You must be able and available to work, and 5) You must actively search for work. Since you were laid off due to budget cuts, that should qualify as involuntary separation.

The basic requirements for Washington ESD unemployment benefits are: 1) You must have worked and earned wages in at least two quarters during your base period, 2) You must have earned at least $1,500 in your highest quarter, 3) Your total base period wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings, 4) You must be unemployed through no fault of your own (laid off, not fired for misconduct), and 5) You must be able and available for work.

Being laid off due to budget cuts definitely qualifies as unemployment through no fault of your own. That's exactly what unemployment insurance is for. You'll need to file your claim as soon as possible because benefits don't start until you actually file.

Being laid off definitely helps - that's considered separation through no fault of your own. If you had quit without good cause or been fired for misconduct, that would disqualify you. Make sure you can prove the layoff was due to lack of work, not performance issues.

You should definitely apply! The basic requirements in Washington are that you worked and earned wages in at least two quarters during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). You also need to have earned at least $4,000 total during your base period. Since you worked for 2 years, you almost certainly meet these requirements.

Don't forget about the weekly requirements too! Once you start getting benefits, you have to file a weekly claim every week and do job search activities. Washington ESD requires at least 3 job search activities per week, and you need to keep a log of what you did.

There are other requirements too besides just the work history. You have to be able and available for work, actively seeking work, and you can't have quit without good cause or been fired for misconduct. Since you were laid off due to store closure, that sounds like you were separated through no fault of your own which is good.

Just a heads up - you'll also need to register with WorkSource Washington and complete job search activities each week. You have to apply for at least 3 jobs per week and keep a log of your job search activities. Make sure you understand these requirements because they'll disqualify you if you don't meet them.

I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD when I first filed. Spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual person. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Saved me so much frustration trying to get my questions answered.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to ask questions about your eligibility, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.

Just went through this myself. The application asks about all your jobs in the past 18 months, so be prepared to list everything even if you quit previous jobs. They mainly care about your most recent separation though. Also you have to be able and available to work, which means actively job searching.

One thing to know - you also have to register with WorkSource and do job search activities. It's not just about getting approved, you have to actively look for work and report your job search activities weekly. Some people don't realize this requirement until after they're approved.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your eligibility, you might want to try Claimyr. I used them recently when I couldn't reach anyone at the unemployment office. They help you get connected to actual ESD agents without waiting on hold forever. Check out claimyr.com - they even have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Just to add - if you quit your previous job before the retail one, that won't disqualify you as long as you worked enough at the retail job. Washington ESD looks at your most recent separation, so being laid off from retail should be fine even if you quit something else before that.

Don't forget you can also qualify if you quit for good cause. Things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or significant changes to your job that weren't part of your original agreement. But you have to be able to prove the good cause.

Part-time work counts towards your qualification too, as long as you meet the wage requirements. I worked part-time for most of my base period and still qualified for benefits, though the weekly amount was lower obviously.

Make sure you apply as soon as possible! There's a waiting week in Washington, but your claim is backdated to when you first became unemployed, not when you finally get around to filing. I waited three weeks to apply and lost out on those first two weeks of benefits.

The earnings requirement trips up a lot of people. You need to have earned at least $1,005 during your base year AND you need to have earned wages in at least two different quarters. So if you only worked one really good quarter, that won't qualify even if you made way more than $1,005.

Don't forget you also can't be receiving other benefits that would disqualify you. Like if you're getting workers comp or certain types of pension payments, that could affect your unemployment eligibility.

honestly the hardest part isn't qualifying, it's actually getting through to someone at washington esd when you have questions or problems. their phone system is a nightmare and the wait times are insane. i spent weeks trying to get answers about my claim

You should definitely apply. From what you described you meet the basic requirements. The worst they can do is say no, but it sounds like you have a good case. Make sure you apply as soon as possible though - there's a waiting week before benefits start.

One thing to note - if you're fired for misconduct, you won't qualify. This includes things like theft, violence, repeated unexcused absences, or willful violation of company policies. But being fired for poor performance or not being a good fit usually still qualifies you.

The whole process is honestly pretty straightforward once you get started. The hardest part is just getting through to someone if you have questions. I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it was worth it just to get clarity on my specific situation.

Also make sure you have your employment history ready - dates of employment, employer addresses, reason for separation, wages earned. The application will ask for all of this and it's easier if you have it organized beforehand.

Don't forget you also have to register with WorkSourceWA and do your job search activities. That's part of the ongoing eligibility requirements, not just the initial qualification.

Make sure you have all your employment information ready when you file - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, reason for separation, and your Social Security number. Having everything organized will make the process much smoother.

The whole system is so confusing honestly. I've been unemployed for 3 months and still don't understand half of it. But definitely apply - worst case they say no and you're no worse off than now.

The wage requirements can be confusing. I thought I qualified but turns out I didn't earn enough in my highest quarter. Make sure you actually calculate it out before assuming you qualify.

Also remember that you have to be physically able to work and available for work. If you're injured or have other limitations that prevent you from working, you might not qualify for regular unemployment benefits.

One thing to watch out for - make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week once you're approved. If you miss a week, it can cause delays and you might have to call in to get it fixed, which brings us back to the whole problem of trying to reach Washington ESD by phone.

The system is so confusing! I thought I qualified but then got some letter about base period wages that made no sense. Took forever to figure out they were looking at the wrong quarters.

Make sure you apply as soon as possible though. There's a one-week waiting period in Washington, and benefits are only paid from the week you file your claim, not from when you actually became unemployed.

Don't wait to file if you think you might qualify. Even if you're not sure about the wage requirements, it's better to apply and let Washington ESD make the determination. The worst they can do is say no, but you won't know until you try.

Just want to echo what others said about filing quickly. I made the mistake of waiting a couple weeks because I thought I needed to job search first. Turns out I lost those weeks of benefits because I didn't file right away.

For anyone else reading this - part-time workers can also qualify for unemployment benefits if they meet the wage requirements. You don't have to have been full-time.

Don't forget you also have to be physically able to work and available for work. If you have any medical issues that prevent you from working, that could affect your eligibility. They're pretty strict about the able and available requirement.

Just apply online at esd.wa.gov - the application walks you through everything step by step. Don't overthink it too much, you can always provide additional information later if needed.

The key things are: you worked enough to meet the wage requirements, you lost your job through no fault of your own, you're able and available to work, and you're actively seeking work. Sounds like you check all those boxes.

Pro tip: when you apply, be very specific about your reason for separation. 'Laid off due to lack of work' is much better than just saying 'laid off' - gives them the exact reason upfront.

if you run into issues with your claim like it getting stuck in adjudication or something, i found out about this service called claimyr that helps you get through to washington esd agents. saved me so much frustration when my claim was pending for weeks

Also just a heads up - if you have any severance pay or vacation payout from your job, that might delay when your benefits start. Washington ESD considers that as wages that might affect your claim timing.

Just wanted to mention that if you have any issues with your claim getting stuck in adjudication or anything like that, services like Claimyr can really help. I had my claim held up for weeks because they needed clarification on my separation, and I couldn't get through to explain it. Finally used that service and got it resolved in one phone call.

Make sure you understand the difference between regular unemployment and other programs like standby. If you're completely unemployed (not just reduced hours), regular UI is what you want.

One more thing - if you're denied benefits, don't give up right away. Sometimes the initial determination is wrong, especially if there's confusion about the reason for separation. The appeals process exists for a reason.

Has anyone dealt with partial unemployment? Like if you get laid off but then find part-time work while looking for full-time? I know you can sometimes still collect benefits but I'm not sure how that works.

OP, since you mentioned being overwhelmed by the Washington ESD website, here's a tip: start with the 'Apply for Benefits' section and just follow it step by step. Don't try to read everything at once. The application itself will guide you through what you need to know.

One more thing - make sure you have your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and your employer's information ready when you apply. Having all that organized beforehand makes the application go much smoother.

The Washington ESD website has a good eligibility quiz that can help you figure out if you qualify before you spend time on the full application. Might be worth checking that out first.

Don't wait too long to apply - you want to file as soon as possible after your last day of work. Benefits can only be backdated in certain circumstances, so the sooner you apply the better.

Another thing to keep in mind - if you do any part-time or temporary work while collecting benefits, you have to report it on your weekly claims. They'll reduce your benefits based on what you earn, but you might still get partial benefits.

washington esd is so backed up right now. took me 6 weeks to get my first payment and that was with no issues on my claim. be prepared for delays and try to have some savings to tide you over

Good luck with your application! It sounds like you have a straightforward case which should help. Just make sure to keep good records of everything - your employment history, job search activities, any correspondence with ESD. Having documentation makes everything smoother.

What about if you're looking for work in a different field than where you were laid off from? Do they make you only apply to retail jobs if that's what you did before?

The Washington ESD website has a tool to estimate your potential benefit amount too. It's helpful to see what you might qualify for before you apply.

ugh the whole unemployment system is such a pain. took me forever to get approved and then they wanted all this documentation. just be prepared for it to take longer than you think

One more thing - if your employer contests your claim saying you were fired for misconduct or quit voluntarily, don't panic. You can appeal that decision. Store closures are usually pretty clear cut though so you probably won't have that issue.

I had to use Claimyr too when I was trying to get answers about my eligibility. Couldn't get through to anyone at ESD for weeks. Really saved me a lot of frustration.

Also remember you have to file a weekly claim every week even while your initial claim is being processed. Don't skip weeks thinking you can file them later.

Good luck with your claim! Based on what you've described, it sounds like you should qualify. The process can be frustrating but it's worth it when you need the financial help.

Just to add - if you're denied for any reason, don't give up. A lot of initial denials get overturned on appeal if you have a valid case. The appeals process exists for a reason.

Last tip - keep really good records of everything. Save all your correspondence with ESD, keep copies of your job applications, track your job search activities. Documentation is key if any issues come up.

Definitely sounds like you qualify based on your work history. The store closure should make it straightforward since it's clearly not your fault. File as soon as you can!

One more resource - the WorkSource centers can help you with filing your claim if you need in-person assistance. They have computers and staff who can walk you through the process.

Just to summarize for the OP - with 18 months of work at $45k annually, you should easily meet the wage requirements. Being laid off due to budget cuts definitely qualifies. File your claim immediately, register with WorkSource, and be prepared to do your weekly job search requirements. You should be all set.

Also keep in mind that you'll need to file weekly claims even after your initial application is approved. These are usually due by midnight on Saturday each week, and you have to report any work or earnings during that week.

If you do run into issues reaching Washington ESD by phone, definitely check out that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. I ended up using them a few times during my claim period when I had questions that couldn't be answered online.

One last tip - keep detailed records of everything. Save all your notices, keep track of your job search activities, and document any issues you have. Having good records will help if you ever need to appeal or answer questions about your claim.

Welcome to the unemployment system! It's not fun but the benefits are there to help you while you look for new work. Just stay on top of your requirements and you should be fine.

Good luck with your job search! Remember that unemployment is temporary assistance while you find your next opportunity. Use the time wisely to network and apply for positions that are a good fit.

That's a great attitude! Many people find better opportunities after being laid off. Use your unemployment benefits as a safety net while you find the right next step in your career.