What requirements for unemployment benefits in Washington - confused about eligibility

The main requirements for Washington unemployment are pretty straightforward. You need to have earned enough wages in your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 quarters before you filed). For 2025, you need at least $1,500 in your highest quarter and total wages of at least 1.25 times your highest quarter. You also have to be able and available for work, actively searching for jobs, and have lost your job through no fault of your own.

dont forget about the job search requirements too, you have to apply for 3 jobs every week and keep a log of it

I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD when I was trying to understand the requirements. Spent literally hours on hold just to ask basic questions. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made the whole process so much easier.

The system is ridiculous! I worked for 10 months and they STILL made me jump through hoops to prove I was eligible. Had to provide pay stubs, tax forms, everything. And don't even get me started on the job search requirements - it's like they want to make it as difficult as possible.

Let me clarify the wage requirements since there seems to be some confusion. For 2025, you need minimum wages of $1,575 in your highest earning quarter AND total base period wages of at least 1.25 times your high quarter amount. So if your highest quarter was $2,000, you'd need at least $2,500 total in your base period. You also can't have quit voluntarily or been fired for misconduct.

also you have to register with WorkSource Washington and create a profile there, thats part of the requirements too

Been there! The requirements can be overwhelming. I remember being so stressed about whether I qualified. Turned out I was overthinking it - if you worked regularly and lost your job through no fault of your own, you probably qualify. The wage requirements are usually the biggest hurdle.

Don't forget you also have to be physically able to work and available for work. If you have any medical conditions that prevent you from working, that could affect your eligibility. Also, you can't be attending school full-time in most cases.

The job search thing is what really gets people. You have to document EVERYTHING. Where you applied, when, contact information, what happened. And they can audit your job search log at any time. I know people who got their benefits stopped because their job search wasn't adequate.

Just want to mention Claimyr again since I saw others asking about getting through to Washington ESD. Seriously, it was a game changer for me. Instead of spending my whole day redialing and getting busy signals, I could actually talk to someone about my questions. Check out their site at claimyr.com if you're having trouble reaching an agent.

I think people overthink the requirements honestly. If you worked and paid into the system, and you lost your job through no fault of your own, you probably qualify. The key is just making sure you follow all the ongoing requirements once you start receiving benefits.

Does anyone know if the requirements are different for people who were working part-time? I was only working 25 hours a week when I got laid off.

What about if you had multiple jobs? I was working two part-time jobs when both ended due to COVID-related closures (finally catching up with some businesses).

The whole system is designed to make you give up honestly. Between the confusing requirements, the phone system that never works, and all the documentation they want, it's like they hope you'll just stop trying.

One thing I learned the hard way - make sure your address is updated with Washington ESD. I moved right before filing and it caused all sorts of delays in processing my claim because they were sending things to my old address.

For anyone still struggling to get through to Washington ESD with questions, I had luck with that Claimyr service too. Found out about it from a friend who was having the same issues. Really helped me get my questions answered without the endless phone tag.

Bottom line - the main requirements are having sufficient wages in your base period, losing your job through no fault of your own, being able and available for work, and actively searching for jobs. Everything else is details that Washington ESD will help you figure out once you apply.

Just remember to keep copies of everything you submit and document all your job search activities from day one. Being organized will save you headaches later if they ask for documentation.