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

Part-time work definitely counts toward unemployment eligibility in Washington! The key requirements are: 1) You must have earned wages in at least two quarters during your base period, 2) You must have earned at least $1,000 in your highest quarter, and 3) Your total base period wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings. Since you worked 8 months part-time, you likely meet these requirements.

You don't need a full year of work. In Washington, you need to have earned wages in at least two quarters during your base period (usually the first four of the last five completed quarters). You also need to have earned at least $1,005 total in your base period. Since you worked 8 months, you should qualify if you met the wage requirements.

Part-time workers can definitely file too! I filed when I was only working 25 hours a week and got reduced. The key is you have to be unemployed through no fault of your own - layoffs, company closures, lack of work all qualify. Quitting without good cause or getting fired for misconduct usually disqualifies you.

You also need to be able and available for work, actively seeking employment, and register with WorkSource Washington. Don't forget about the job search requirements - you'll need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week once your claim is approved.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to ask about my eligibility but their phones are impossible. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there? The hold times are ridiculous and I keep getting disconnected.

I was in a similar situation and had trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check my eligibility. Spent hours on hold trying to reach someone. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made the whole process so much easier than trying to call repeatedly.

Don't forget about other eligibility factors too. You must be unemployed through no fault of your own - so layoffs, company closures, lack of work all qualify. If you quit voluntarily or were fired for misconduct, you won't be eligible unless there are specific circumstances like unsafe working conditions or harassment.

Don't forget you also have to be able and available for work, and actively searching for new jobs. Washington ESD requires you to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and log them in WorkSourceWA. This trips up a lot of people who think they can just collect without looking for work.

Self-employed people and independent contractors generally can't file regular UI in Washington. There was PUA during COVID but that's long gone. If you were misclassified as a contractor when you were really an employee, you might be able to file but it's complicated.

The wage requirements can be confusing but here's a simple way to think about it: if you earned at least $1,000 in your highest earning quarter during the base period AND your total earnings were at least 1.5 times that highest quarter amount, you should qualify. For example, if your highest quarter was $2,000, you'd need at least $3,000 total in base period wages.

Also worth mentioning that certain groups have special eligibility rules. Military members, federal employees, and people who worked in other states might have different requirements. Students can sometimes qualify if they're not in school full-time. Self-employed people usually can't get regular UI but might qualify for other programs.

The system is so confusing!! I applied three weeks ago and still haven't heard anything back. My claim just says 'under review' and I can't get anyone on the phone at Washington ESD. How long is this supposed to take???

Students can file too if they meet the work requirements, but there are some restrictions. If you're enrolled more than half-time, you might not be considered available for work. I had to drop to part-time classes to keep my UI benefits.

Military spouses have some special eligibility rules too. If you have to quit because of a military relocation, that's considered good cause. Same with domestic violence situations - there are protections for people who have to leave jobs due to safety concerns.

Don't forget you need a Social Security number and work authorization to file for unemployment in Washington. Non-citizens can qualify if they have valid work authorization. Also, you can't collect unemployment while receiving certain other benefits like workers' compensation.

Age doesn't matter for eligibility - I know people in their 60s and 70s who filed after layoffs. As long as you meet the work and wage requirements and are looking for work, you can file. Don't let anyone tell you you're too old for unemployment benefits!

Seasonal workers can be tricky. If you work the same seasonal job every year, you might not qualify between seasons. But if you got laid off from a seasonal job and are looking for other work, you probably can file. It depends on your specific situation.

Don't forget about the waiting week! In Washington, there's no waiting week anymore - they eliminated it during COVID and kept it that way. You can get benefits starting the first week you file if you're eligible.

I tried filing online but the website kept crashing. Is there another way to apply for unemployment benefits besides the secure.esd.wa.gov website?

Quick tip - make sure you have all your employment information ready before you start the application. You'll need employer names, addresses, dates of employment, reason for separation, and gross wages for each job in your base period. Having everything organized makes the process much smoother.

Been through this process twice now and the key thing is to apply right away even if you're not 100% sure you qualify. Washington ESD will determine your eligibility and it's better to have your claim processing than to wait and lose potential benefit weeks. The worst they can say is no.

I tried using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it actually worked! Got through to Washington ESD in about 15 minutes instead of the usual 2-3 hour wait. They helped me understand my eligibility and resolve an issue with my weekly claim. Definitely worth checking out if you're stuck on hold.

Also important to know - if you're partially unemployed, you might still qualify for reduced benefits. Like if your hours got cut but you're still working some, you can file for partial UI. Just make sure to report all your earnings on your weekly claims.

Non-citizens can file too if they have work authorization. You need to have a valid Social Security number and legal authorization to work in the US. Green card holders, people with work visas, etc. can all file for UI benefits.

The key thing to remember is you HAVE to file in the state where you worked, not necessarily where you live. If you worked in Washington but live in Oregon, you file with Washington ESD. If you worked in multiple states, it gets more complicated.

Union members should check with their union rep too. Sometimes there are additional benefits or requirements for union workers filing UI claims. Your union might also help with the paperwork or appeals if needed.

One more thing - if you have any doubts about eligibility, just file anyway! The worst they can do is deny your claim, and you can always appeal if you think they're wrong. Don't talk yourself out of filing if you might qualify.