What qualifies for unemployment in Washington - confused about eligibility requirements

The basic requirements for Washington unemployment are: 1) You must have earned enough wages during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters), 2) You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, 3) You must be able and available for work, and 4) You must actively search for work. Since you were let go due to restructuring, that should qualify as 'not your fault.' The wage requirement varies but generally you need at least $3,400 in your base period.

i got laid off too and was worried about the same thing. turns out part time work still counts towards your wage requirements, you just need to have earned enough total wages in your base period

One thing to watch out for - you have to be 'able and available' for work. This means if you're going to school full-time or have other commitments that prevent you from accepting work, you might not qualify. Also, the job search requirement is real - you need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a log.

Just wanted to mention - if you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your eligibility, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually reach a live agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Really helpful when you need to verify your specific situation with someone at Washington ESD.

Don't forget about the monetary determination - after you apply, Washington ESD will send you a letter showing your benefit amount and how many weeks you're eligible for. This is based on your highest earning quarter during the base period. If you disagree with their calculation, you can appeal.

Make sure you apply as soon as possible! There's no waiting period in Washington, so your benefits can start the week you file your claim. But you won't get paid for any weeks before you actually file.

also if you quit your job you probably won't qualify unless you had 'good cause' like harassment or unsafe working conditions. but since you were laid off due to restructuring that shouldn't be an issue for you

The Washington ESD website has a pretty good eligibility tool where you can check if you qualify before actually filing. Might be worth trying that first to get an idea of your benefit amount.

One more thing - if you have any questions about whether your specific situation qualifies, it's worth talking to Washington ESD directly. Sometimes there are special circumstances that aren't covered in the general guidelines. I had to appeal my initial denial because they didn't understand my work situation, but it got resolved.

Just be prepared for the weekly claim filing process. Every week you want benefits, you have to file a claim by Sunday and answer questions about your job search activities, any work you did, and whether you were able and available for work that week.

if you worked in multiple states you might need to file in the state where you earned the most wages, not necessarily where you live now. something to keep in mind

The whole system is confusing at first but once you get the hang of it, it's pretty straightforward. The key is just making sure you understand the requirements and follow them exactly. Washington ESD is pretty strict about the rules.

Also worth mentioning - if you get a job offer while collecting benefits, you generally have to take it if it's suitable work (similar to your previous job in terms of pay and working conditions). You can't just turn down jobs to keep collecting UI.

I had to use Claimyr twice when I had questions about my claim status that I couldn't get answered through the website. Really saved me a lot of frustration trying to get through on the phone myself. Their system worked exactly like they show in that video demo.

don't stress too much about it. if you were laid off through no fault of your own and worked for 8 months you almost certainly qualify. the application process is pretty user-friendly on the washington esd website

Make sure you have your social security card and ID ready when you apply. You'll also need details about your employer - their address, your supervisor's name, exact dates of employment, etc. Having all that info ready makes the application go much smoother.

Just remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay them when you file your tax return. Something to think about now rather than being surprised later.

The fact that you're asking these questions and being careful about understanding the requirements shows you're taking it seriously. That's exactly the right approach. Washington ESD appreciates claimants who follow the rules and do things properly.

One last thing - if you end up needing to call Washington ESD for any reason and can't get through, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier is legit. I used it when my claim got stuck and needed to speak to an adjudicator. Worth checking out claimyr.com if you hit any roadblocks.