Who can collect unemployment benefits in Washington - confused about eligibility requirements
I'm trying to figure out who actually qualifies for unemployment benefits in Washington state. Lost my job two weeks ago and I keep hearing different things from people about who can and can't collect. Some say you have to work full time for a certain amount of time, others mention part-time workers can get benefits too. I worked about 30 hours a week for the past 8 months at a retail job before getting laid off. Do I even qualify to file a claim with Washington ESD? What are the actual requirements they look for?
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Ryder Greene
You likely qualify! Washington ESD looks at your earnings over the past 5 quarters (base year) to determine eligibility. You need to have earned wages in at least 2 quarters and meet minimum earning thresholds. Part-time workers can definitely collect unemployment if they meet the wage requirements. The key factors are: 1) You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, 2) You must have sufficient wage credits, 3) You must be able and available for work, 4) You must actively search for work.
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Leeann Blackstein
•That's helpful! How do I know if I have sufficient wage credits? Is there a specific dollar amount I needed to earn?
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Ryder Greene
•For 2025, you need at least $5,265 in your highest earning quarter during your base year, and total base year wages of at least 1.25 times your high quarter wages. You can check your wage history on your Washington ESD account.
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Carmella Fromis
been trying to call washington esd for 3 days to ask about my eligibility but cant get through to anyone. the phone just rings and rings or i get a busy signal. anyone else having this problem?
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Theodore Nelson
•Yes, getting through to Washington ESD by phone is nearly impossible during peak times. I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me connected to an agent in about 15 minutes. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.
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AaliyahAli
Don't forget about the job search requirements! Even if you qualify initially, you have to prove you're actively looking for work each week when you file your weekly claim. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week and you need to keep detailed records.
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Leeann Blackstein
•What counts as a job search activity? I've been applying online but wasn't keeping track of everything.
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AaliyahAli
•Job applications, networking events, career fairs, informational interviews, and even some training programs count. You need to log employer names, contact info, dates, and what type of activity it was. Keep everything documented!
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Ellie Simpson
•THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. I got disqualified because my job search log wasn't detailed enough during an audit. Had to appeal and it took 6 weeks to get reinstated.
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Arjun Kurti
There are also some people who CAN'T collect even if they worked. Like if you quit without good cause, got fired for misconduct, or are on strike. Also students sometimes have restrictions depending on their enrollment status.
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Leeann Blackstein
•Good point. I was laid off due to slow business so that shouldn't be an issue for me.
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Raúl Mora
•What about independent contractors? I drove for a delivery app - can I get unemployment?
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Arjun Kurti
•Independent contractors typically can't get regular UI benefits since no unemployment taxes were paid on your behalf. You'd need to check if there are other programs available.
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Ryder Greene
Self-employed people and gig workers usually don't qualify for regular unemployment insurance because they don't pay into the system. However, there might be other assistance programs available depending on your situation.
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Margot Quinn
•What about people who work seasonal jobs? I work construction and get laid off every winter.
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Ryder Greene
•Seasonal workers can collect unemployment during their off-season as long as they meet the wage and eligibility requirements. Construction workers commonly use unemployment benefits during winter months.
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Evelyn Kim
Make sure you apply as soon as possible after losing your job. There's a one-week waiting period before benefits start, and you can't get benefits for weeks you don't file claims. Don't wait thinking you'll find a job quickly - you can always stop claiming if you get hired.
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Leeann Blackstein
•I've been putting off filing because I wasn't sure if I qualified. Sounds like I should just apply and let them determine eligibility.
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Evelyn Kim
•Exactly! Let Washington ESD make the determination. Worst case they say no, but if you wait too long you might miss out on benefits you're entitled to.
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Diego Fisher
i worked at 3 different part time jobs last year and got laid off from 2 of them. still have one job but only work like 8 hours a week now. can i get partial unemployment??
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Ryder Greene
•Yes, you can get partial unemployment benefits if your hours were significantly reduced. Washington ESD has a formula for calculating partial benefits based on your reduced earnings vs your weekly benefit amount.
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Diego Fisher
•thats great news! do i still have to do job searches if im getting partial benefits?
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Ryder Greene
•Yes, you still need to meet the job search requirements and be available for full-time work unless you have specific exemptions.
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Henrietta Beasley
Federal employees and military personnel have different rules - they file for UCFE or UCX benefits instead of regular state unemployment. The process is similar but goes through different channels.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•I'm a veteran - do I get any special consideration when applying for unemployment benefits?
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Henrietta Beasley
•Veterans don't get special unemployment benefits, but your military service counts toward wage credits if you served recently. Also check with WorkSource for veteran-specific job placement services.
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Faith Kingston
Been dealing with Washington ESD for months and the biggest thing is being able to reach someone when you have questions. Phone system is absolutely terrible. Finally used some service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual person at ESD. Game changer for getting answers about my claim status.
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Leeann Blackstein
•Someone mentioned that earlier too. Might need to look into that if I have trouble reaching them after I apply.
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Emma Johnson
•How much does something like that cost? I'm unemployed so not exactly swimming in cash right now.
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Faith Kingston
•It's worth it when you consider how much time you save not sitting on hold for hours. Check their website for current info - claimyr.com
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Liam Brown
Don't overlook the able and available requirement. You have to be physically and mentally able to work, and available for full-time work during normal business hours. Some medical conditions or family obligations can affect this.
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Olivia Garcia
•What if you have childcare issues? Can that make you ineligible?
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Liam Brown
•Childcare arrangements need to be in place for you to be considered available for work. However, there might be some flexibility depending on your specific situation.
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Noah Lee
Age doesn't matter for unemployment eligibility - I'm 58 and collected benefits last year when my company downsized. Same rules apply whether you're 18 or 68.
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Ava Hernandez
•That's good to know. I'm close to retirement age but still need to work for a few more years.
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Noah Lee
•Just make sure you're genuinely looking for work and available to accept suitable employment. They do check up on that through audits sometimes.
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Isabella Martin
The earnings requirement can be tricky to understand. They look at your base year which is the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. Not the most recent quarter - it's confusing but that's how they calculate it.
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Leeann Blackstein
•So if I file in January 2025, they'd look at earnings from October 2023 through September 2024?
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Isabella Martin
•Exactly! Not your most recent work in October-December 2024. This trips up a lot of people who think their recent earnings count.
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Elijah Jackson
School employees have special rules too. Teachers and other school workers usually can't collect during summer break or other scheduled non-work periods if they have reasonable assurance of returning to work.
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Sophia Miller
•What about substitute teachers? I sub irregularly throughout the school year.
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Elijah Jackson
•Substitute teachers can be more complicated - depends on whether you have reasonable assurance of continued work. Each case is evaluated individually.
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Mason Davis
Immigration status matters too. You need to be authorized to work in the US to qualify for unemployment benefits. Documented immigrants with work authorization can typically collect just like citizens.
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Mia Rodriguez
•Do you need a social security number to apply?
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Mason Davis
•Yes, you need a valid Social Security number to file for unemployment benefits in Washington state.
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Jacob Lewis
One thing that helped me was actually going to a WorkSource office in person when I had questions about eligibility. The staff there can help you understand the requirements and even help you file your initial claim if needed.
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Leeann Blackstein
•That's a good idea! I didn't know they offered in-person help with unemployment claims.
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Jacob Lewis
•Yeah, they have computers you can use and staff who know the system. Plus they have job search resources that can help you meet your weekly requirements.
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Amelia Martinez
Bottom line - if you worked and paid taxes in Washington state, lost your job through no fault of your own, and can work, you probably qualify. Don't let uncertainty stop you from applying. Let Washington ESD make the official determination.
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Leeann Blackstein
•Thanks everyone! This has been really helpful. I'm going to file my claim this week and see what happens.
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Ethan Clark
•Good luck! Just remember to file your weekly claims on time every week once you start, even if your initial claim is still being processed.
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