Who gets unemployment benefit through Washington ESD - need to understand eligibility requirements

That sounds really complicated. How do I know what my base period is exactly? And what counts as 'no fault of your own'?

Your base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim. 'No fault of your own' means you were laid off, fired for reasons other than misconduct, or quit for good cause like unsafe working conditions.

Have you tried using Claimyr? It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. I found it at claimyr.com and they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helped me when I couldn't reach anyone about my claim status.

never heard of that, is it legit? seems too good to be true

Yeah it's real, they basically handle the calling process for you so you don't have to keep redialing. Saved me hours of frustration trying to get answers about my eligibility.

What if I can't find 3 jobs to apply for every week in my field? Does that disqualify me?

No, you can do other activities like updating your resume, attending virtual job fairs, or doing career assessments. The key is documenting everything in your job search log and being genuinely available for suitable work.

That's a relief! I was worried that switching jobs would hurt my chances.

Actually it can help because it shows you have wages in multiple quarters, which is exactly what Washington ESD looks for.

I understand the frustration, but the requirements are pretty straightforward once you break them down. Have you tried using the eligibility tool on the Washington ESD website?

Yes but it's not clear about all the edge cases and special situations. Sometimes you need to talk to a real person.

No, you don't need to be a citizen, but you do need to be authorized to work in the US. Legal residents, people with work visas, and other authorized workers can qualify for unemployment benefits if they meet the other requirements.

thanks that helps a lot

That's good to know. What if you quit your job though? I assume that disqualifies you completely?

Not necessarily! You can still qualify if you quit for 'good cause' - things like unsafe working conditions, significant changes to your job duties, harassment, or domestic violence situations. You'd need to provide documentation though.

How long did it take to get through with their service?

way faster than trying to call myself. they handled all the redialing and waiting, then connected me when an agent was available. definitely worth it when you need answers

Would that apply to my situation since I switched jobs recently?

Possibly! If your recent job earnings aren't included in the standard base period calculation, the alternative base period might capture them and help you qualify or get a higher benefit amount.

My employer said the layoff was permanent, so I think I'd be applying for regular unemployment benefits.

yeah sounds like regular UI then. standby is mainly for seasonal workers or temporary shutdowns

Is that something I do before or after filing my unemployment claim?

You can do it either way, but I'd recommend doing it soon after filing your claim. It's free and they have resources to help with your job search too.

Thank you! That makes me feel more confident about applying. Should I gather any specific documents before I start the application?

Yes, have your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months (employer names, addresses, dates of employment, reason for separation), and your most recent pay stub. The online application will walk you through everything else.

What kind of questions do they ask in those interviews?

usually about your work history, why you left your job, your availability for work, and your job search efforts. just be honest and have your employment details ready

That's really helpful advice. I think I'm going to go ahead and apply this week. Thanks to everyone who responded!

good luck! the process can be confusing but most people who worked regularly and got laid off do end up qualifying

I hadn't thought about that! Is it better to have them withhold taxes or pay later?

depends on your situation, but many people prefer to have taxes withheld so they don't get hit with a big bill at tax time. you can always change this setting later

That's encouraging to hear. Do you know how they calculate the weekly benefit amount?

it's based on your earnings during your base period. roughly speaking, your weekly benefit is about 1/25th of your earnings in your highest earning quarter, but there are minimums and maximums that apply

I'll definitely keep that in mind if I run into problems. Hopefully the application process goes smoothly though!

yeah i wish i had known about services like that when i was dealing with my claim issues. would have saved me so much time and stress

Thank you everyone for all the helpful information! I feel much more confident about applying now.

you're welcome! this forum is great for getting real answers about unemployment stuff