Who can get unemployment benefits in Washington state - confused about eligibility

You'll likely qualify based on what you described. Washington ESD has two main requirements: you need sufficient earnings during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters) and you must be unemployed through no fault of your own. Store closures definitely count as qualifying separations. The minimum earnings requirement is around $7,000 in your base period, and you need earnings in at least two quarters.

definitely file! i got laid off from my warehouse job 3 months ago and qualified even though i only worked part time for some of it. worst case they say no but at least youll know for sure

The easiest way to check eligibility is to look at your wage and tax statements from last year. You need to have worked for employers who paid unemployment insurance taxes - most regular jobs qualify but some independent contractor positions don't. Since you mentioned retail work, that almost certainly paid into the system. The key things Washington ESD looks for: sufficient earnings, qualifying separation reason, able and available to work, and actively seeking employment.

Just wanted to mention that if you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD by phone to ask questions about your eligibility, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach a human agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. I used it last month when I couldn't get through the regular phone lines and it saved me hours of calling.

Wait, I'm confused about the base period thing. If I just started working again after being unemployed for 6 months, would that affect my eligibility? I had a job for 2 years before that gap, then was unemployed, and now I'm working again but might get laid off due to budget cuts.

THIS SYSTEM IS SO CONFUSING! Why can't Washington ESD just have a simple yes/no eligibility checker online? I've been trying to figure out if I qualify for weeks and every website gives different information. I worked as a server and got tips but I'm not sure if that affects my base period earnings calculation.

Just a heads up - even if you think you don't qualify, it might be worth filing anyway. I thought I didn't have enough earnings but it turned out I was wrong about which quarters counted. The Washington ESD system will calculate everything for you when you file.

One more thing to consider - there are different types of unemployment benefits. Regular UI is what most people think of, but there's also standby status if you're temporarily laid off with a specific return date. Make sure you're applying for the right type based on your situation.

Does anyone know if you can get unemployment if you quit your job? I'm thinking about leaving my current position because of harassment but I'm worried I won't qualify for benefits.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses! Sounds like I should definitely file since I meet the basic requirements. One last question - do I need to wait until my last day of work to file or can I file as soon as I get my layoff notice?

Just wanted to add my experience - I filed for unemployment after being laid off from my office job last year. The process was pretty straightforward once I got started. The hardest part was actually getting through to someone when I had questions about my claim status. That's when I ended up using Claimyr to get connected to a Washington ESD agent quickly.

also just remembered - you have to be physically able to work to get benefits. if you have any medical issues that prevent you from working you might need to look into disability instead of unemployment

I've been getting unemployment for 2 months now and the weekly claim process is pretty easy once you get used to it. Just make sure you keep track of your job search activities because they do audit people sometimes.

Still think this whole system is too complicated but at least now I understand the basics. Going to file this week and see what happens.

One thing I learned the hard way - make sure your contact information is up to date in the system. I missed an important call from Washington ESD because they had my old phone number and it delayed my claim approval.

For what it's worth, I was able to get through to Washington ESD by calling right when they opened at 8am. Took about 45 minutes on hold but I did get through without using any special service.

Just a reminder that you can also check your claim status and file weekly claims online through the Washington ESD website. You don't always need to call unless there's a specific problem with your claim.

I qualified for unemployment even though I was only working part-time before I got laid off. The key was that I had worked consistently for over a year and had sufficient earnings in my base period. Don't assume you don't qualify just because you weren't full-time.

Final thought on getting help from Washington ESD - if you do end up needing to talk to someone and can't get through the regular lines, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really does work. I was skeptical at first but it saved me a lot of time and frustration. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get your questions answered.

Thanks again everyone! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident about filing now. I'll update you all on how it goes!

Based on what you've shared, you should definitely qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington. With 18 months of work history and $28,000 in earnings, you're well above the minimum requirements. The store closure is a clear qualifying separation since it's through no fault of your own. I'd recommend filing your claim as soon as your last day of work is complete - don't wait! The sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits. The online application process is pretty straightforward, and you can always come back here if you run into any issues during the process.