Who gets unemployment compensation from Washington ESD - eligibility requirements?

To qualify for Washington unemployment benefits, you need to meet several requirements. First, you must have earned at least $1,685 during your base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed). You also need to have worked in at least two quarters of your base period. Additionally, you must be unemployed through no fault of your own - meaning you were laid off, not fired for misconduct or quit without good cause.

Don't forget you also have to be able and available for work. That means you can physically work, you're actively looking for jobs, and you're available to accept suitable work if offered. Plus you need to register with WorkSource Washington.

I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD to ask these exact questions when I first applied. Spent hours on hold just to get basic eligibility info. Finally found this service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual agent without waiting forever. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made the whole process so much easier.

You also can't be receiving certain other benefits like workers' compensation or retirement pension from your base period employer. And if you're not a US citizen, you need to have work authorization.

wait so if i quit my job can i still get unemployment?? i thought you could only get it if you got fired

The earnings requirement can be tricky. Even if you meet the minimum $1,685, you might not get much if your wages were low. Your weekly benefit amount is based on your earnings during your base period, with a maximum of $999 per week in 2025.

What about gig workers or independent contractors? I drive for rideshare and do some freelance work.

This is all really helpful! So it sounds like I probably qualify since I worked full-time and was laid off. Do I need to apply right away or can I wait?

Don't forget about the job search requirements! You have to look for work and keep a log of your job search activities. Washington ESD can ask to see this at any time.

Also keep in mind that if you're offered suitable work and turn it down without good reason, you could lose your benefits. 'Suitable work' is generally work that matches your skills and pays at least 70% of your previous wages.

I was denied initially because they said I didn't have enough earnings, but I appealed and won. Sometimes their initial calculation is wrong, especially if you had jobs in multiple states or unusual pay schedules.

One thing that confused me was the difference between being 'able' and 'available' for work. Washington ESD requires both. Able means you're physically and mentally capable of working. Available means you're free to accept work immediately - so you can't be unavailable due to vacation, school, or other commitments.

Just want to mention Claimyr again for anyone struggling to get through to Washington ESD with eligibility questions. I used it when I had issues with my initial application and it saved me so much time and frustration. Way easier than the regular phone system.

Does anyone know if you can collect unemployment if you're working part-time? I might be able to get some part-time hours but not full-time work.

Military veterans have some special considerations too. Your military service might count toward your base period wages in some cases, and there are special programs for veterans transitioning to civilian work.

ugh the washington esd system is so confusing. i've been trying to figure out my eligibility for weeks and keep getting different answers from different sources. wish they would just make it clearer on their website

One more important thing - you need to file your weekly claims every week to get paid, even if your initial claim is still being processed. Don't wait for approval to start filing your weekly claims.

I qualified but then had my benefits stopped because I failed a job search audit. Make sure you're really keeping detailed records of all your job search activities. Washington ESD doesn't mess around with the work search requirements.

Thanks everyone for all this helpful info! I feel much more confident about applying now. Sounds like I should qualify based on my work history and the fact that I was laid off.

Just to add - if you have any doubts about your eligibility, it's usually better to apply anyway and let Washington ESD make the determination. The worst they can do is deny you, but you might be surprised and qualify when you thought you wouldn't.

Hope this thread helps other people too! The eligibility rules seemed really complicated at first but breaking it down like this makes it much clearer.