Who qualifies for unemployment benefits in Washington - confused about eligibility requirements

You'll likely qualify based on what you described. Washington ESD looks at your earnings during your 'base period' which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed. With 14 months of work and $28k in earnings, you should meet the monetary requirements. You need at least $3,850 in your base period and earnings in at least two quarters.

You should definitely qualify! Part-time work absolutely counts toward Washington ESD eligibility. The main requirements are: 1) You must have worked in at least two quarters of your base period, 2) You need to have earned at least $1,500 in your highest quarter, and 3) Your total base period wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings. Based on $18k annually, you should easily meet these wage requirements.

The basic requirements are: 1) You must be unemployed through no fault of your own (layoffs qualify), 2) Meet the monetary eligibility (sounds like you do), 3) Be able and available to work, 4) Actively search for work each week. Since you were laid off due to store closures, that definitely counts as unemployed through no fault of your own.

The main requirements for Washington unemployment are pretty straightforward. You need to have earned wages in at least two quarters during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters). You also need to have earned at least $7,000 total during your base period. Since you worked 8 months, you probably meet the work requirement. The key is being unemployed through no fault of your own - layoffs definitely qualify.

For Washington ESD unemployment benefits, you need to meet the base year earnings requirement. They look at your wages from the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed. You need at least $3,850 in your base year and wages in at least 2 quarters. Your retail job earnings should count toward this. The restaurant job where you quit might be an issue - Washington ESD will review that separation.

You should definitely qualify based on what you described. Washington ESD looks at your base year earnings which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. For 2025, you need at least $5,265 in total base year wages AND wages in at least 2 quarters of your base year. Your $28,000 easily meets the earnings requirement. The fact that you quit your part-time job shouldn't matter since you were laid off from your main job through no fault of your own.

You also have to be able and available for work, and actively looking for a job. That means registering with WorkSource and doing job search activities each week. Don't forget you need to file your weekly claims every week to get paid.

Don't listen to people who don't know what they're talking about. Part-time workers have the same eligibility rules as full-time workers in Washington. The key is having enough wages in your base period. You also need to be able and available for work, actively seeking work, and have lost your job through no fault of your own (which layoffs qualify for).

I've been trying to call Washington ESD for two weeks to ask similar questions but can never get through! The phone system is impossible. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there? I'm getting so frustrated with the busy signals and automated hangups.

don't forget you also have to register with WorkSource within 2 weeks of filing your claim, that's another requirement they don't always mention upfront

The monetary requirements can be tricky. You need to have earned at least $3,850 during your base period AND your total base period wages need to be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings. So if your best quarter was $8,000, you'd need at least $12,000 total in base period wages.

Make sure you file as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. There's no waiting period to file in Washington, and you can't get benefits for weeks before you actually filed your claim. I made the mistake of waiting two weeks thinking I'd find another job quickly.

i think you should be fine with the earnings thing, sounds like you made enough. the quit thing is tricky tho, they ask about ALL your jobs in the last 18 months

Wait I'm confused about the base year thing. I thought it was just the last 12 months of work? My claim got denied and I'm wondering if I calculated wrong.

You definitely meet the basic work requirements based on what you described. Washington ESD uses a pretty straightforward formula - you need earnings in at least 2 quarters of your base year and total base year wages of at least $3,850. Your $12,000 from 8 months easily clears that. The separation issues get reviewed during adjudication, but being laid off from your most recent job is what matters most for initial eligibility.

I had a similar situation last year with a job I quit and then got laid off from another job. Washington ESD approved my claim but it took forever to get through adjudication. The waiting was the worst part because bills don't stop. If you're having trouble reaching them by phone during the process, I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to a real person at Washington ESD. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about your specific situation, I had good luck using Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get connected to actual agents instead of waiting on hold forever. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ - saved me hours of frustration when I needed to verify my eligibility.

I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD when I was trying to figure out my eligibility. Spent hours on hold just to ask basic questions. If you're having trouble reaching them, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you through to ESD agents. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made the whole process so much easier when I needed to verify my claim details.

What if you quit your job instead of being laid off? Does that automatically disqualify you?

Restaurant workers definitely qualify as long as you meet the wage requirements. I worked in food service for years and collected UI benefits twice when places closed down. The tricky part is if you were classified as an independent contractor instead of an employee - contractors usually don't qualify for regular unemployment.

The earnings requirement is actually more complex than just the total amount. You need at least $5,265 total BUT you also need your highest quarter earnings to be at least 1.5 times your lowest quarter earnings. Most people don't realize there's this second part to the earnings test.

Don't stress too much about the restaurant quit if you had legitimate reasons. Washington ESD considers things like harassment, unsafe conditions, significant changes to job duties, and other good cause reasons. Document everything you can remember about why you quit - dates, incidents, any witnesses.

wait i thought you had to work full time to get unemployment?? i was part time at target for like 8 months and never thought i could apply when they let me go

Getting through to Washington ESD to ask about eligibility is nearly impossible with their phone system. I spent weeks trying to get someone to explain my denial. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me through to a real person in like 15 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Turned out I was eligible but had made a mistake on my application.

Here's what you need to know about Washington ESD eligibility: 1) Monetary qualification - you need wages in at least 2 quarters of your base year plus minimum total earnings, 2) Separation qualification - you must be unemployed through no fault of your own or have good cause for quitting, 3) Ongoing requirements - you must be able and available for work and actively seeking employment. Your layoff meets separation requirements for your recent job.

ugh the washington esd system is so confusing! i qualified but it took weeks to figure out all the rules. good luck with your claim!

Also remember that if you're receiving severance pay, it might affect when your benefits start. Washington ESD considers severance as wages, so you might have a delay before benefits begin depending on how much you received.

dont forget you cant get unemployment if you quit without good cause or got fired for misconduct. but layoffs, business closures, lack of work - all those qualify

Since you mentioned working part-time and full-time weeks, Washington ESD will look at all your wages during the base period to calculate your weekly benefit amount. Even part-time work counts toward eligibility as long as you hit those minimum wage thresholds. Your benefit amount will be based on your highest quarter of earnings.

The wage requirements can be tricky to calculate. You need to look at your quarterly earnings, not just annual. For example, if you made $18k total but it was spread unevenly (like $8k in one quarter and $3k in others), that affects your eligibility differently than if it was spread evenly at $4.5k per quarter.

Also remember you have to be able and available for work. That means you can't be in school full-time, you can't be injured to the point where you can't work, and you have to be actively looking for work. A lot of people meet the earnings requirements but get tripped up on the able and available part.

Also remember you have to be actively looking for work and available to work. They'll ask about your job search activities on your weekly claims. Keep track of where you apply!

The Washington ESD qualification process isn't as scary as it seems. They're mainly looking to verify that you worked enough, earned enough, and lost your job through no fault of your own. Your recent layoff should carry more weight than an earlier quit, especially if you can show the quit was justified. File your claim sooner rather than later - benefits can't be paid for weeks before you apply.

The whole system is so confusing! I've been unemployed for 3 months and still don't understand half of what Washington ESD requires. Why can't they make this simpler for people who are already stressed about losing their jobs?

Make sure you apply as soon as possible because there's a waiting week before benefits start. And definitely don't lie about anything on your application - Washington ESD checks everything and false information can disqualify you permanently.

One thing that helped me was calling Washington ESD right after I got my monetary determination letter. I had questions about my benefit amount calculation and they were able to explain exactly how they came up with the numbers. But yeah, getting through by phone is nearly impossible during busy times.

Don't forget about the work search requirements! You need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep detailed records. I got selected for a job search audit and had to provide 12 weeks worth of documentation.

For anyone reading this thread - the Washington ESD handbook has all the eligibility requirements spelled out clearly. It's worth reading through the whole thing even though it's long. Better to understand everything upfront than get surprised later.

Been through this process twice now. The key thing is to apply as soon as possible after you lose your job. Benefits start from the week you file, not from when you lost your job. So even if you're not 100% sure you qualify, it's better to apply and find out than to wait.

One thing people don't realize is that you might qualify even if you quit your job, but only under very specific circumstances. Like if you quit due to unsafe working conditions or harassment. But for layoffs like yours, you should definitely qualify.

The Washington ESD system is so confusing honestly. I qualified but it took forever to get approved because they had to verify my wages with my employer. Make sure all your employer info is accurate when you file.

Your situation sounds pretty straightforward for qualification. The earnings requirement is easy - $12K over 8 months definitely meets the threshold. Washington ESD will investigate both job separations but the layoff is your qualifying separation. Even if they find issues with the restaurant quit, it shouldn't disqualify your entire claim.

WASHINGTON ESD IS SO SLOW WITH EVERYTHING!!! I've been waiting 6 weeks for my claim to get resolved and still no answers. The phone system is a joke - you call and get hung up on automatically.

One thing people forget is that you can work part-time while collecting unemployment, but you have to report ALL wages when you file your weekly claims. Washington ESD will reduce your benefits based on what you earn, but you can still get partial benefits.

if ur not a citizen u might have different rules too. i think u need work authorization and stuff like that

Also worth mentioning that military service can count toward your base period wages in some cases. And if you're a veteran, there might be additional programs available through WorkSource.

The wage calculation can be confusing but basically they look at your two highest quarters of earnings in your base period. If those two quarters total at least $7,000 and you earned wages in at least two quarters, you meet the monetary eligibility. There's also an alternate base period if you don't qualify under the regular one.

u definitely qualify based on what u said. restaurant layoffs happen all the time and its not ur fault. just apply online at esd.wa.gov and see what happens

One last thing - make sure your employer doesn't contest your claim. Sometimes employers will say you quit or were fired for cause even when that's not true. If they contest it, your claim might go into adjudication while Washington ESD investigates.

For anyone dealing with adjudication issues or needing to speak with Washington ESD about eligibility questions, I really can't recommend Claimyr enough. The peace of mind of actually getting through to someone who can answer your questions is worth it. Much better than playing phone tag for weeks.

Good luck with your application! Restaurant workers go through this all the time, especially during slow seasons. The system is designed to help people who lose work through no fault of their own, which is exactly your situation.

Just remember to keep filing your weekly claims even if your initial claim is still being processed. You can't get retroactive payments for weeks you didn't file, so don't skip any weeks.

The whole process seems overwhelming at first but it's really not that bad once you get started. Washington ESD's website has pretty good instructions for filing your initial claim. Just take your time and answer all the questions honestly.

my advice is apply first and ask questions later. worst case they say no but at least you'll know for sure. and if u do qualify the sooner u apply the sooner u can start getting benefits

Final reminder - eligibility is just the first step. Once you're approved, you'll need to keep up with all the ongoing requirements like job searches and weekly claim filing. But based on everything you've shared, you definitely sound like you qualify for benefits.

Just file the claim! The worst thing they can do is say no, but based on what you've described, you should qualify. The application process will walk you through everything and they'll calculate your eligibility automatically based on your wage history.

Washington ESD also has some good resources on their website explaining eligibility, but sometimes talking to an actual person helps clarify things. I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier when I had questions about my claim status - definitely worth it if you can't get through on your own.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Your first week of unemployment is unpaid in Washington, so plan for that. Also, if you receive any severance pay, that might affect when your benefits start.

I was in a similar situation - part-time retail worker who got laid off. Qualified without any issues. Your $18k should be plenty to meet the wage requirements. The base period calculation seemed complicated at first but Washington ESD handles all that math for you.

Make sure you file as soon as possible! Benefits don't backdate to when you lost your job, they start from when you file your claim. So every week you wait is a week of potential benefits lost.

The good news is Washington has pretty reasonable eligibility requirements compared to some states. Your situation sounds like a textbook case for qualification - involuntary job loss, sufficient work history, decent wages. You should be fine.

One last tip - when you do file, have all your employment information ready including exact dates of employment, employer addresses, and reason for separation. Makes the process much smoother.

Also remember that if you do qualify, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to continue receiving benefits. It's not automatic - you have to actively certify each week that you're still unemployed and looking for work.

Honestly, you're worrying too much. File the claim, provide accurate information, and let Washington ESD determine your eligibility. Based on everything you've shared, you should qualify without any problems. The system is designed to help people in exactly your situation.

If you do run into any issues or have questions after filing, don't hesitate to reach out to Washington ESD. Sometimes getting through by phone is tough, but that Claimyr service people mentioned earlier can help with that. The important thing is getting your questions answered so you don't make mistakes that could delay your benefits.

I went through something similar - had a mix of good and questionable job separations in my work history. Washington ESD approved my claim after adjudication. The key is being honest about everything and providing as much detail as possible about your reasons for quitting that restaurant job. If you felt you had to quit for your safety or well-being, that counts as good cause.

washington esd is actually pretty reasonable about job separations if you're honest. i quit a job because of safety issues and they approved it no problem. just explain your situation clearly

The most important thing is to file your application as soon as possible. Washington ESD eligibility is pretty broad - most people who worked regularly qualify monetarily. The separation issues get sorted out during processing. Don't let fear of one questionable job separation stop you from applying for benefits you probably deserve.

I struggled with Washington ESD phone calls during my adjudication process too. After weeks of busy signals and dropped calls, someone recommended Claimyr to me. It's basically a service that helps you get through to actual Washington ESD representatives. Worth checking out if you run into phone issues - saved me so much frustration.

Based on your numbers, you should easily meet Washington's monetary qualification requirements. You earned $12,000 over 8 months, which is well above the $3,850 minimum for the base year. The part-time hours don't matter as long as you meet the earnings threshold. Your recent layoff should qualify you for benefits regardless of the earlier restaurant job situation.

File your claim ASAP! You can't get benefits for weeks you don't claim, even if you qualify retroactively. The application process will walk you through all the job separation questions. Be honest about everything - Washington ESD would rather have complete information upfront than find discrepancies later.

Washington ESD qualification is actually pretty straightforward once you understand the basics. You worked enough and earned enough to qualify monetarily. Your layoff qualifies you for benefits. The restaurant quit will be reviewed but shouldn't disqualify your entire claim. Don't overthink it - just file and answer their questions honestly.

I had a friend who used Claimyr when she couldn't get through to Washington ESD during her appeal process. She said it was a lifesaver because she needed to speak to someone urgently about missing documents. The service got her connected within a couple tries instead of the usual busy signal nightmare. Might be worth bookmarking in case you need it during your adjudication.

You should definitely qualify based on what you've described. Washington ESD looks at your work history and earnings over the base year period, and $12,000 over 8 months puts you well above their requirements. The layoff from your recent job is the key qualifying factor. File your claim and don't worry too much about the restaurant job - being honest about it upfront is better than having them discover it later.

Just want to add that if you think you might not qualify based on earnings, you should still file anyway. Sometimes the calculations work out differently than you expect, and you won't know for sure until Washington ESD reviews your wages.

WASHINGTON ESD IS SO SLOW WITH EVERYTHING! Filed 6 weeks ago and still waiting for my first payment. My adjudication has been 'in progress' forever. Anyone else dealing with these ridiculous delays?

Quick question - do part-time workers qualify for unemployment if they get laid off? I was only working 25 hours a week but it was my only job for the past year.

Something to keep in mind - if you have any gaps in employment during your base period, make sure you can explain them when you file. Washington ESD might ask about periods where you weren't working.

Based on everything discussed here, it sounds like the OP should definitely qualify. 14 months of work at $28k total should easily meet Washington ESD's requirements. The key is filing correctly and staying on top of the weekly claims and job search requirements.

One thing that trips people up is if you worked in multiple states. Washington ESD can combine wages from other states if you don't qualify based on Washington wages alone, but you have to specifically request it and provide wage records from the other states.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Even if you qualify, you won't get paid for your first week of unemployment. It's like a deductible. So make sure you have some money saved up for that first week.

The system is so confusing honestly. I had to appeal my initial denial because they said I didn't have enough wages, but it turned out they were looking at the wrong quarters. Make sure you double-check everything on your monetary determination when you get it.

Make sure you report ALL your wages during the base year, including from that part-time job. Some people think small amounts don't matter but every dollar counts toward meeting the requirements.

this whole system is ridiculous. I worked for 15 years and got laid off and they're making me jump through hoops to prove I deserve benefits. The earnings requirements are just a way to deny people who need help the most.

Check your Social Security earnings record too. Sometimes there are discrepancies between what Social Security shows and what Washington ESD has on file. I found a missing quarter that way.

Just want to add that if you're a veteran, there might be special provisions that apply to you. Military wages can sometimes be used toward your benefit calculation even if they're not in the regular state wage records.

I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it really works. Got through to Washington ESD in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks on my own. They were able to explain exactly why my claim was pending and what I needed to do to fix it.

One more thing - make sure you understand the difference between regular unemployment and standby. If you're temporarily laid off with a return-to-work date, you might be eligible for standby which has different requirements.

The Washington ESD website has a benefits calculator that can give you an estimate of what you might receive if you qualify. It's not perfect but it gives you a ballpark figure.

Remember that even if you qualify, you need to file weekly claims every week to actually get paid. Missing a week can cause delays or loss of benefits. Set a reminder on your phone for the same day every week.

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