What qualifies someone for unemployment benefits in Washington - confused about eligibility requirements

Thanks! So my part-time job would count toward the wage requirement? I think I made around $8,000 total between both jobs over the past year.

Yes, as long as you earned wages in at least two different quarters and hit that $5,265 minimum, you should meet the basic eligibility. The key is having work history spread across multiple quarters, not just one.

Yeah I was definitely laid off due to budget cuts, not fired or anything like that. Company had to let go of several people.

That should work in your favor then. Make sure you have documentation about the layoff when you file your claim.

Wait, really? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days about my claim status. How does that work exactly?

You basically put in your info and they handle getting you through the phone queue. Way better than sitting on hold forever or getting disconnected.

Interesting, might have to check that out. The Washington ESD phone system is absolutely terrible.

What counts as a job search contact? Just applying online or do I need to do more?

Applications count, but you can also do things like attending job fairs, networking events, or contacting employers directly. Check WorkSourceWA for approved activities.

Good point. When do the weekly claims need to be filed by?

You have to file by the end of the week following the week you're claiming. So if you're claiming for the week ending Saturday, you have until the following Saturday to file.

I did get a small severance check. Will that completely disqualify me or just delay when I can start collecting?

It usually just delays your start date. Washington ESD will calculate how many weeks the severance covers based on your regular weekly pay rate.

What's adjudication? My claim just says 'under review' but I don't know what that means.

Adjudication is when they need to investigate something about your claim - could be the reason you left your job, wage discrepancies, whatever. Can take weeks to resolve unfortunately.

Ugh that's frustrating. Is there any way to speed it up?

Not really, just have to wait. Make sure all your paperwork is correct the first time because any mistakes will delay things even more.

I'm a citizen so that shouldn't be an issue. Is there anything else they verify during the application process?

They'll verify your identity, work history, and wages with your previous employers. Sometimes this can cause delays if there are discrepancies.

I was laid off about 3 weeks ago but just now looking into this. Did I miss out on those weeks?

You can usually backdate your claim to when you became unemployed, but you'll need to explain the delay. File ASAP and they'll tell you what weeks you can claim.

That's encouraging. I guess I'll go ahead and start the application process and see what happens.

Exactly! And if you run into issues or have questions during the process, don't hesitate to call Washington ESD or use one of those callback services people mentioned.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already tight on money being unemployed.

It's worth checking out their site for details, but honestly even if there's a cost it was worth it for me to actually get answers instead of spending days trying to get through.

How do you figure out what your base period is? The Washington ESD website explanation is confusing.

Your base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be April 2023 through March 2024.

Actually that's not quite right - if you file in January 2025, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024. It's the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters.

I'm not getting any other benefits, just the unemployment. Good to know though.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! Feeling much more confident about applying now.

Good luck! The process can be frustrating but most people who qualify do eventually get their benefits.

Will do! Starting a folder right now to keep everything organized.

So true. They make it as difficult as possible hoping people will just go away.

Which is exactly why services like Claimyr exist - to help people actually navigate the system and get the help they're entitled to.

Good to know there are options if things don't go smoothly initially.

Appeals have to be filed within 30 days of the denial notice, so don't wait if you disagree with their decision.

Perfect summary, thanks! I think I meet all those requirements so I'm going to go ahead and file my claim today.

Thanks so much everyone! This thread was incredibly helpful.