Who can collect unemployment benefits in Washington state - eligibility requirements?

You can definitely qualify as a part-time worker! Washington ESD looks at your total earnings over your base period, not whether you worked full or part-time. You need to have earned at least $3,850 in your base period and worked in at least 2 quarters. Your $18,000 should meet the minimum requirements.

There are other eligibility requirements too beyond just earnings. You have to be unemployed through no fault of your own (so layoffs qualify, but not if you quit without good cause). You also need to be able and available for work, and actively searching for jobs.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about your specific situation, I used a service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a system that calls for you and gets you connected without waiting on hold for hours. Check out claimyr.com - they even have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

wait so if I got fired for being late too much do I still qualify? or does that count as my fault

Don't forget about the work search requirements! You have to register with WorkSource Washington and be actively looking for work. Some people think unemployment is just free money but you have to prove you're trying to get back to work.

I've been on unemployment for 3 months now and the job search requirement is no joke. They actually do check your activities and I know someone who got their benefits stopped because they weren't doing enough job contacts.

Also remember you can work part-time while collecting unemployment! As long as you report your earnings each week when you file your weekly claim. They'll reduce your benefit amount but you won't lose eligibility completely.

The Washington ESD website has an eligibility checker tool that can give you a quick answer about whether you qualify. Might be worth trying before you go through the whole application process.

ugh the Washington ESD system is so confusing. I tried to apply last month and kept getting error messages. Finally gave up and used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier to talk to an actual person who walked me through everything.

Don't forget that if you're a student you might have different rules. I think if you're enrolled more than half-time you can't collect unemployment in most cases.

The most important thing is to apply as soon as possible after you lose your job. Benefits don't start until the week you file your claim, so don't wait around thinking about whether you qualify.

Just went through this whole process myself. One thing they don't tell you upfront is that there's a waiting week where you won't get paid even if you're approved. So your first payment comes in week 2.

Make sure you have all your employment information ready when you apply - dates of employment, employer addresses, reason for separation, etc. The application asks for a lot of details and it's frustrating to have to stop and look things up.

if you worked in multiple states you might need to file an interstate claim which is more complicated. but if all your work was in washington it should be straightforward

The whole process took about 2 weeks for me from application to first payment. Some people get approved faster, some slower. Don't panic if you don't hear back immediately.

One more tip - set up your online account as soon as you apply. You'll need it to file your weekly claims and check your payment status. The SecureAccess Washington login can be tricky to set up.

Washington ESD has been pretty backed up lately so if you need to talk to someone urgently, that Claimyr service really does work. I was skeptical at first but it saved me weeks of trying to get through on the phone.

Remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income so you might want to have taxes withheld from your payments. You can set that up when you file your weekly claims.

Just to summarize for you - you likely qualify based on your earnings, make sure to apply ASAP, register with WorkSource, keep good job search records, and file your weekly claims on time. You've got this!