What qualifies you for unemployment in Washington state? Need to understand eligibility requirements

You don't need to work a full year. Washington ESD looks at your base period which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. You need to have earned wages in at least 2 quarters of your base period and meet the minimum wage requirements. For 2025, you need at least $8,019 in your highest quarter OR $12,030 total in your base period.

make sure you were laid off and didn't quit or get fired for misconduct. that's a big part of qualifying too

I've been through this process twice and the wage requirements can be confusing. If you're close to the minimum, I'd recommend using Claimyr to get through to Washington ESD and verify your eligibility before filing. They helped me connect with an agent who explained exactly what quarters counted for my base period. Check out claimyr.com - there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Also remember you have to be able and available for work. That means you can't be on vacation, sick, or have transportation issues that prevent you from taking a job. And you need to do job searches every week - currently 3 job contacts per week in Washington.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Washington still has a one week waiting period before you can receive benefits, even if you qualify.

this system is so confusing!! i've been trying to figure out if i qualify for weeks. worked part time at 2 different jobs last year but not sure if that counts

I qualified but got denied initially because they said I quit my job. Had to appeal and prove I was actually laid off. Make sure you have documentation of your separation reason.

The earnings requirement is pretty reasonable in Washington compared to other states. As long as you worked consistently for those 8 months you should be fine.

You also need to be a US citizen or authorized to work in the US. And you have to be physically able to work unless you're on approved FMLA or something similar.

just apply! worst case they say no and you're in the same position. best case you get benefits while job hunting

Make sure to apply as soon as possible after your separation. There's no waiting period to file your initial claim and you want to get in the system quickly.

One thing to watch out for - if you had any severance pay or vacation payout, that might affect when your benefits start. Washington ESD considers that as wages.

The Washington ESD website has a benefit estimator tool that can give you an idea of your weekly benefit amount if you know your wages.

Been on unemployment twice in Washington. The process is pretty straightforward if you qualify. Just be prepared for the weekly claims and job search requirements.

Don't forget you can work part-time while on unemployment and still receive partial benefits. Just has to be less than your weekly benefit amount.

washington esd is actually pretty good about approving legitimate claims. much better than dealing with some other states systems

If you're still unsure about qualifying, another option is to use Claimyr to get connected with a Washington ESD agent who can review your specific situation. Worth it for peace of mind before filing.

Based on what you've described - 8 months of steady work, laid off through no fault of your own - you should definitely qualify. The wage requirements aren't that hard to meet in Washington.

Good luck with your claim! Just remember to file your weekly claims on time every week once you're approved. Missing a week can cause delays.

Just wanted to add one more important point - make sure you keep detailed records of all your job search activities once you start claiming benefits. Washington ESD can audit your job search logs at any time, and you need to be able to show you made genuine attempts to find work. Save job postings, application confirmations, contact information for employers you've reached out to, etc. It's also worth noting that attending job fairs or networking events can count toward your weekly job search requirements.

Just want to emphasize something that might not be obvious - when you file your initial claim, be completely honest about your work history and separation reason. Washington ESD will verify everything with your former employer anyway, and any discrepancies can delay or even disqualify your claim. I made the mistake of being vague about why I left a previous job (thinking it would help) and it actually created more problems during the review process. They had to do additional investigation which added weeks to my approval time. Also, if you worked for multiple employers during your base period, make sure to list ALL of them, even short-term jobs. Every bit of wages counts toward meeting those minimum requirements.

I went through this exact same situation last year and can confirm you should definitely qualify! With 8 months of steady work at 30-35 hours per week at $15/hour, you'll easily meet the wage requirements. I was working similar hours at about the same pay rate when I got laid off from my manufacturing job. The key things that helped me: 1) Apply online through the Washington ESD website as soon as possible - don't wait any longer since you were laid off 3 weeks ago, 2) Have your employer information ready (company name, address, dates worked, reason for separation), 3) Keep that layoff letter handy in case they need it during review. One tip - when you file your weekly claims, make sure to report that vacation payout you mentioned getting. It might delay your first payment by a week or two, but it's better to be upfront about it. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me from application to first payment. Don't overthink it - you clearly qualify based on everything you've shared!