Who can file for unemployment benefits in Washington ESD - eligibility requirements?

Thanks! What counts as 'enough hours' though? I worked about 25 hours a week for most of those 8 months.

For Washington state, you need at least 680 hours in your base period OR earn at least $1,685 during your highest quarter. Your 25 hours/week for 8 months should definitely meet the hour requirement.

Did you have any trouble with the filing process? I'm worried about making mistakes.

The online filing was straightforward, but I did have to wait for them to verify my wages with my employer. Took about 2 weeks total.

Wait, self-employed people can file now? I thought that was only during COVID?

There are still some limited circumstances where self-employed can qualify, but it's much more restrictive than during the pandemic. Most need to check with Washington ESD directly.

Yeah the self-employed thing is confusing. I tried to file last month as a contractor and got denied. Apparently you need to have paid into the system somehow.

How does that work exactly? Is it expensive?

It basically calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to a real person. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting hung up on. The price was worth it for me since I needed answers fast.

Interesting, I might try that. I've been calling Washington ESD for weeks trying to get my claim sorted out.

What if you're available but can only work certain hours because of childcare?

That can be tricky. Washington ESD considers you available if you're willing to work during hours when suitable work is normally performed in your occupation. Childcare limitations might affect this.

What kind of documentation are they requesting? Sometimes it's just standard verification of your work history or identity.

something about 'monetary determination' and they want pay stubs but i already uploaded those when i first filed

That sounds like they're verifying your wages to calculate your benefit amount. The monetary determination shows how much you can receive per week.

How long did the appeal process take?

About 6 weeks total. Had to do a phone hearing but it was worth it. Made sure to document everything that happened at work.

Good point! I'm not in school but that's useful to know.

Yeah the student thing catches a lot of people off guard. Washington ESD is pretty strict about the availability requirement.

might have to try that, ive called like 50 times and either get busy signal or hung up on

Yeah that was exactly my experience. The Washington ESD phone system is overwhelmed but Claimyr somehow gets through when regular calls can't.

Thanks! I was laid off in December so I should still be within the time limit. Going to start my application today.

Good plan! Make sure you have your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and your bank account info for direct deposit ready when you file.

Thanks for the heads up! I hate when websites do that.

Yes! This happened to me and I had to start over. So frustrating.

oh that makes sense why i got denied as a contractor then

Exactly. The pandemic programs had much broader eligibility but those are gone now. Regular UI has stricter requirements about wage history and employment status.

All my work was in Washington so that shouldn't be an issue for me.

Perfect! That makes it much simpler.

Good to know it works consistently. I might give it a try next week if I can't get through on my own.

Yeah, I've used it 3 times now and always got connected within a reasonable time. Much less stressful than the regular calling process.

What counts as a job search activity?

Things like applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, informational interviews, or using WorkSourceWA services. You need to keep detailed records.

The WorkSourceWA website integration with Washington ESD makes tracking easier. You can log activities there and it syncs with your unemployment account.

The website has improved over the years but it's still pretty dense with information. The FAQ section is actually pretty helpful once you know where to look.

yeah i found some of the faqs helpful but some of my questions were too specific

Not applicable to me but good info for others reading this.

Right, just wanted to mention it since the eligibility rules can be quite different for veterans.

That's encouraging! I was worried I'd be wasting my time but it sounds like it's worth applying.

Exactly right. Even if you're unsure about eligibility, filing an application is the best way to find out. Washington ESD will make the determination based on your specific situation.

Plus if you wait too long to file, you might miss out on benefits for weeks you could have qualified for. Better to apply sooner rather than later.

Good reminder! When do you typically file the weekly claims?

You can file starting Sunday for the previous week. I usually do mine Sunday morning so I don't forget. Set a phone reminder or something.

Yeah the weekly filing is crucial. Washington ESD is pretty strict about the deadlines, though they do allow some late filings with good cause.

Good luck with your application! Feel free to post back here if you run into any issues during the process.

Hope it goes smoothly for you! The Washington ESD system can be intimidating at first but once you get familiar with it, it's not too bad.

And remember if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD and can't get through, that Claimyr service is always an option. Made a huge difference for me.