Who is eligible for unemployment insurance through Washington ESD?

Yes, part-time workers can definitely qualify for unemployment insurance in Washington! The key requirements are: 1) You need to have worked in Washington state during your base year, 2) You must have earned at least $1,005 in your highest-earning quarter, 3) Your total base year wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings, and 4) You must be unemployed through no fault of your own. Since you earned $15k over 8 months, you likely meet the wage requirements.

You should also know that you need to be able and available for work, actively seeking employment, and meet the weekly job search requirements once your claim is approved. Washington ESD requires you to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities.

Don't let the application process intimidate you! Even if you're unsure about eligibility, it's worth applying. Washington ESD will review your work history and wages to make the determination. The worst they can say is no, but you might be pleasantly surprised. I thought I didn't qualify because I had a gap in employment, but I still got approved.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your application status, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr that helps you get connected to an actual agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call myself!

Also important to know - if you quit your job voluntarily, you generally won't qualify unless you had 'good cause' related to the work. But if you were laid off due to lack of work like you mentioned, that should qualify as involuntary separation.

One thing people don't always realize is that you can work part-time while collecting unemployment, as long as you report your earnings. Washington ESD will reduce your weekly benefit amount based on what you earn, but you don't automatically lose benefits just for working a few hours.

Don't forget about the waiting week! In Washington, you have to serve one unpaid waiting week before you can start receiving benefits. So even if you're approved immediately, your first payable week will be your second week of unemployment.

The wage calculation can be confusing. I recommend gathering all your pay stubs or W-2s before you apply so you have the exact amounts. Washington ESD will verify your wages with employers, but having your own records helps ensure everything matches up correctly.

Also be aware that if you receive any severance pay, vacation payout, or other separation benefits, you need to report those when you file. They might affect when your benefits can start.

If you do apply and get denied for any reason, don't give up! You have the right to appeal the decision. I got initially denied due to a paperwork error, appealed it, and was approved after a phone hearing. The appeals process exists for a reason.

The online application through SecureAccess Washington is pretty straightforward. Just make sure you have all your employer information handy - names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation. The system will walk you through everything step by step.

Just wanted to add - if you have any questions about your specific situation after you file, Claimyr has been really helpful for getting through to Washington ESD representatives quickly. I was stuck in adjudication for weeks and used their service to finally get answers about what was holding up my claim.

One more tip - file your claim as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. Benefits are effective starting the Sunday of the week you file, so delaying your application means losing potential benefit weeks. You can't backdate your claim to cover weeks before you filed.

For what it's worth, based on what you've shared about working 8 months and earning $15k, you should definitely qualify. Those numbers sound like they meet the wage requirements. The hardest part is often just navigating the system and waiting for processing.

Don't stress too much about the process. Thousands of people successfully file for unemployment every week in Washington. The system is designed to help people who find themselves out of work through no fault of their own, which sounds exactly like your situation.