When can I qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington - timing questions?

That's helpful but I'm still confused about the quarters. Does part-time work count toward those earnings requirements?

Yes, part-time work absolutely counts. They look at total wages earned, not how many hours you worked. As long as you meet the minimum wage requirements in your base period, you should be eligible.

This is exactly why I started using Claimyr when I had questions about my claim eligibility. They actually get you connected to a real Washington ESD agent without the endless hold times. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

What if I was fired from my previous job for attendance issues but the part-time job was legitimate? Would that disqualify me?

That could potentially be an issue. Washington ESD will look at your most recent separation from work. If you were fired for misconduct, that could disqualify you even if you have other qualifying wages. You'd need to appeal if they deny you based on that.

This is good advice. The worst thing that happens is they say no, but at least you get the process started. Plus your claim effective date is based on when you file, not when they approve it.

So I should file now even though I'm not 100% sure about my earnings in the base period?

YES! File now. They'll calculate everything for you and send you a determination letter. If you don't qualify, you can always appeal or try the alternative base period.

I can work full-time but I do have some scheduling restrictions because of childcare. Is that going to be a problem?

It depends on how restrictive your availability is. Minor scheduling preferences usually aren't an issue, but if your availability is very limited, Washington ESD might question whether you're truly available for work.

What if I can't find all my old pay stubs? Will that prevent me from qualifying?

No, Washington ESD gets wage reports directly from employers. Your pay stubs are just backup in case there are errors. They'll base your claim on what employers reported to them.

How strict are they about the job search requirements? I'm worried about finding 3 legitimate job contacts every week.

They take it seriously. You need to keep a log of your job search activities and they can audit you at any time. But there are various ways to meet the requirement - applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, etc.

WorkSourceWA also has resources that can count toward your job search requirements. Taking their workshops or using their job search tools can help you meet the weekly requirements.

You can work part-time and still collect benefits, but your weekly benefit amount will be reduced based on how much you earn. There's a formula they use to calculate the reduction. Generally, you can earn up to a certain amount before your benefits are affected.

That's good to know. I wasn't sure if any work would disqualify you completely.

I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents without the long hold times. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked - got connected to an agent in about 10 minutes.

Is that waiting week in addition to the time it takes them to process your claim?

Yes, it's separate. The waiting week is after they approve your claim. So you'll file weekly claims but the first week is unpaid. After that, you get paid for subsequent weeks if you continue to meet the requirements.

That's encouraging. I was worried that any complication in my work history would automatically disqualify me.

yeah the appeals process can help if you have a good reason for your job separation. they look at each case individually during the appeal.

So if I use up my 26 weeks and then become unemployed again 6 months later, I wouldn't be eligible for more benefits?

Correct, you'd have to wait until your benefit year expires and then file a new claim based on wages earned since your last claim. That's why timing can be strategic if you're in an unstable job situation.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I think I'll go ahead and file today since it sounds like waiting won't help anything.

Good choice. Make sure to keep checking your online account for any requests for additional information and respond quickly if they need anything from you.

This is so important! I missed filing one week and it took forever to get it sorted out. Now I set a reminder on my phone every Sunday to file my weekly claim.

Good tip about the reminder. I'll definitely set that up if I get approved.

I'm definitely going to look into that if I run into issues. The phone system at Washington ESD is just impossible to navigate.

Yeah, check out their website at claimyr.com if you need to talk to someone. They have a demo video that explains how it works too.

You're absolutely right. I'm going to file today. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice!

Good luck! Hope everything works out for you. The process can be confusing but it's worth it if you qualify.