Who is qualified for Washington ESD unemployment benefits - need help understanding eligibility
I'm trying to figure out if I qualify for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD but I'm getting confused by all the requirements. I worked part-time for about 8 months at a retail job before getting laid off last month. My hours were pretty inconsistent - sometimes 15 hours a week, sometimes 30. I also did some gig work on the side but that was all 1099 income. Does anyone know what the actual qualifications are? I've been looking at the Washington ESD website but it's not super clear about part-time workers or mixed employment situations.
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Kendrick Webb
The basic requirements for Washington ESD unemployment benefits are that you need to have earned enough wages during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters) and you need to be able and available for work. For part-time workers, you typically need to have earned at least $3,500 in your base period with wages in at least 2 quarters. Your gig work might count toward your wage requirements if you reported it properly.
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Norman Fraser
•Thanks! How do I figure out what my base period is exactly? And does the gig work count even though it was 1099?
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Kendrick Webb
•Your base period is calculated from when you file your claim. If you file now, it would be roughly January 2024 through December 2024. The 1099 work might count if you elected to pay unemployment insurance taxes on it, but most gig workers don't do that automatically.
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Hattie Carson
I was in a similar situation last year - part time retail plus some freelance work. The Washington ESD eligibility requirements can be tricky. You need to meet both the monetary requirements (enough wages) and the non-monetary requirements (lost job through no fault of your own, able to work, actively seeking work). If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check your eligibility, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me actually reach an agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.
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Norman Fraser
•That's really helpful! Did you end up qualifying even with the mixed employment situation?
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Hattie Carson
•Yes, I did qualify because my retail wages met the minimum requirements. The freelance work didn't count toward my wage base but didn't disqualify me either. Just make sure you report any ongoing gig work when you file your weekly claims.
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Destiny Bryant
•Never heard of Claimyr before but getting through to Washington ESD is such a nightmare. Is it legit?
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Dyllan Nantx
Here's what I learned when I applied - Washington ESD has specific wage requirements that vary depending on when you file. You need either $3,500 in your base period with wages in at least 2 quarters, OR wages in 3 quarters of your base period with total wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter. The inconsistent hours shouldn't matter as long as you hit the wage thresholds.
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Norman Fraser
•This is exactly what I needed to know! I think I might actually meet the first requirement. Is there a way to check my wage history with Washington ESD?
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Dyllan Nantx
•Yes, you can check your wage history through your SecureAccess Washington account. It should show all the wages employers reported for you.
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TillyCombatwarrior
The system is so confusing! I applied last month and I'm still waiting to hear back about my eligibility determination. Been in adjudication for weeks now.
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Norman Fraser
•Oh no, that sounds stressful! What's adjudication?
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Kendrick Webb
•Adjudication is when Washington ESD reviews your claim to determine if you meet all the eligibility requirements. It can take several weeks, especially if there are any questions about your work history or reason for separation.
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TillyCombatwarrior
•Exactly, and trying to get updates from Washington ESD is impossible. I've called dozens of times and either get busy signals or sit on hold for hours just to get disconnected.
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Anna Xian
Don't forget about the job search requirements! Even if you qualify monetarily, you need to be actively looking for work and able to accept suitable employment. For part-time workers, you typically need to be available for at least part-time work similar to what you were doing before.
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Norman Fraser
•Good point! I am definitely looking for work. Do I need to keep track of my job search activities?
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Anna Xian
•Yes, you need to keep a job search log and be registered with WorkSource. Washington ESD requires at least 3 job search activities per week, though they can audit your log at any time.
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Jungleboo Soletrain
I hate to say it but the whole system seems designed to keep people out rather than help them. The wage requirements are confusing, the job search stuff is bureaucratic nonsense, and good luck actually talking to a human being at Washington ESD.
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Norman Fraser
•It does seem really complicated. I'm hoping I can at least get someone to review my situation.
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Hattie Carson
•That's why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - it really does help with the phone situation. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked to get me connected to an agent who could explain my specific situation.
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Jungleboo Soletrain
•Might have to check that out. I've wasted so many hours on hold with Washington ESD it's ridiculous.
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Rajan Walker
One thing to keep in mind is that if you were laid off, that's generally considered a qualifying separation. If you quit or were fired for misconduct, that's where things get complicated and you might face a disqualification period.
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Norman Fraser
•I was definitely laid off due to reduced business, so that should be okay. Thanks for mentioning that!
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Rajan Walker
•Perfect, that should work in your favor. Just make sure you have documentation of the layoff if Washington ESD asks for it during their review process.
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Nadia Zaldivar
Also check if your employer paid unemployment taxes on your wages. Sometimes with part-time or irregular employment, there can be issues with how wages were reported to Washington ESD.
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Norman Fraser
•How would I find that out? Should it show up on my pay stubs?
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Nadia Zaldivar
•Check your pay stubs for any deductions labeled as unemployment insurance or UI. You can also ask your former employer directly, or it should show up in your wage records when you file your claim.
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Lukas Fitzgerald
I went through this same process 6 months ago. My advice is to just apply and let Washington ESD make the determination. If you don't qualify, they'll tell you why. If you do qualify, you'll start receiving benefits. Don't stress too much about trying to figure it out beforehand.
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Norman Fraser
•That's probably good advice. I think I'm overthinking this. I'll just apply and see what happens.
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Lukas Fitzgerald
•Exactly! The worst they can say is no, and if there are issues with your claim, you can always appeal or ask for clarification.
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Ev Luca
Quick question - do you have any other income sources right now? If you're still doing gig work, you need to report that on your weekly claims even if it's minimal.
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Norman Fraser
•I stopped the gig work when I got laid off since I wanted to focus on finding a regular job. So no other income currently.
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Ev Luca
•Good, that makes things simpler. Just remember to report any income you do earn while collecting benefits, even odd jobs or small freelance projects.
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Avery Davis
The monetary eligibility is usually the easy part - it's all the other requirements that trip people up. Make sure you understand the able and available requirements, the job search requirements, and what constitutes suitable work in your field.
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Norman Fraser
•What exactly does 'suitable work' mean? Do I have to take any job that's offered?
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Avery Davis
•Suitable work generally means jobs that match your skills, experience, and previous wage level. You don't have to take just any job, but you can't be unreasonably picky either. Washington ESD has guidelines about what constitutes suitable work based on how long you've been unemployed.
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Collins Angel
I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. It really did help me get through to Washington ESD to ask about my eligibility questions. Worth trying if you can't get through on your own.
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Norman Fraser
•Thanks for the recommendation! I'll definitely look into that if I have trouble reaching someone.
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Collins Angel
•The video demo they have really explains it well. I was hesitant at first but it saved me hours of calling and getting nowhere.
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Marcelle Drum
Don't forget that even if you qualify, there's usually a waiting week before benefits start. Plan accordingly for your finances.
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Norman Fraser
•Oh, I didn't know about the waiting week. Good to know for planning purposes.
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Marcelle Drum
•Yes, the first week you're eligible is typically a waiting week where you don't receive payment. After that, if you continue to meet all requirements, you'll receive benefits for subsequent weeks.
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Tate Jensen
Just file the claim. Seriously. You're spending more time researching than it would take to just apply. The worst case scenario is they say you don't qualify and you're in the same position you're in now.
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Norman Fraser
•You're right, I should just go ahead and apply. Thanks for the reality check!
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Tate Jensen
•No problem. Good luck with your claim!
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Adaline Wong
Make sure you have all your employment information ready when you apply - dates of employment, employer names and addresses, reason for separation, wages earned. Having everything organized will make the application process much smoother.
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Norman Fraser
•That's helpful! I'll gather all that information before I start the application.
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Adaline Wong
•Also have your Social Security number and driver's license ready. The application asks for a lot of personal information to verify your identity.
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Gabriel Ruiz
One more thing - if you do qualify and start receiving benefits, make sure you understand the weekly claim filing process. You have to file every week to continue receiving payments, and there are specific deadlines.
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Norman Fraser
•When do weekly claims need to be filed?
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Gabriel Ruiz
•Weekly claims are typically due by midnight on Saturday for the previous week. You can file online through your SecureAccess Washington account. Missing the deadline can delay your payments.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
Good luck with your application! It sounds like you have a good chance of qualifying based on what you've described. The part-time work shouldn't be an issue as long as you met the wage requirements.
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Norman Fraser
•Thank you! I feel much more confident about applying now after reading everyone's responses.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
•You're welcome! This community is really helpful for navigating the Washington ESD system. Don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions after you apply.
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Peyton Clarke
Just remember that even if your initial application gets denied, you have the right to appeal. Sometimes Washington ESD makes mistakes or doesn't have complete information. An appeal can resolve issues with your claim.
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Norman Fraser
•That's good to know. How long do you have to file an appeal?
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Peyton Clarke
•You have 30 days from the date of the determination notice to file an appeal. The appeal process gives you a chance to provide additional information or correct any errors in your claim.
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