Question 1

Can you get unemployment if you were fired in Washington?

Accepted Answer

If you were fired for misconduct or gross misconduct, you may not qualify. Misconduct includes deliberately or maliciously disregarding your employer or co-workers. If ESD finds misconduct or gross misconduct, it denies benefits for at least 10 weeks after the week you were fired, and you must earn at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount in covered work to qualify again. For gross misconduct, ESD also removes those wages and hours from your record, which can make you ineligible for future benefits. Being let go for performance alone is generally treated as a firing, not necessarily misconduct.

Question 2

Can you get unemployment if you quit in Washington?

Accepted Answer

If you quit for good cause, you may be eligible, but you must also show you tried to keep your job unless that would have been useless. Recognized reasons include: moving with a spouse or domestic partner whose job is outside your area; domestic violence or stalking; losing access to care for a child or vulnerable adult; your own illness or disability, or a family member's illness, disability or death; your employer cutting your usual pay or hours by 25% or more; a job move that lengthens your commute; quitting to take another job; entering approved apprenticeship or Trade Adjustment Assistance training; and unfixed safety problems or illegal activity you reported.

Question 3

Can you get unemployment if your hours were cut in Washington?

Accepted Answer

Workers who are laid off may qualify if they meet the basic requirements. You can work part-time and still get benefits, and part-time work usually stretches the number of weeks you can collect. Temporary layoffs and standby status have their own rules, and standby can last up to 8 weeks with ESD approval.

Question 4

How much do you need to have earned to get unemployment in Washington?

Accepted Answer

You need at least 680 hours of work in your base year, and at least some of your wages must be from Washington. The base year is generally the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. If you do not have 680 hours, ESD can use an alternate base year of the last four completed quarters.

Question 5

How much is unemployment in Washington?

Accepted Answer

ESD averages your wages in the two highest-paid quarters of your base year and multiplies the result by 3.85%. The weekly benefit cannot be more than $1,208. If the result is under $383, you get $383 or your estimated weekly wage, whichever is less.

Question 6

How long can you get unemployment in Washington?

Accepted Answer

Normally up to 26 weeks of regular benefits in a 52-week benefit year. Extended Benefits may be available when the state's unemployment rate is high.

Question 7

Is there a waiting week for unemployment in Washington?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The first week you are eligible is an unpaid waiting week. There is only one per benefit year. You must still file a weekly claim and complete your job search for that week.

Question 8

What are the work search requirements for unemployment in Washington?

Accepted Answer

Unless ESD tells you otherwise, complete at least 3 approved job search activities every week, starting the week you want benefits to begin. Activities that count include applying for jobs that fit your skills, interviewing, reporting to a union hiring hall if you are a member, and using reemployment services at a WorkSource center. Keep a job search log for at least 30 days after your benefit year ends.

Question 9

Does severance pay affect unemployment in Washington?

Accepted Answer

Pay in lieu of notice, termination pay and severance pay may affect your benefits. Report them on your weekly claim and ESD will decide whether they are deductible. Monthly payments from a retirement plan your employer or union contributed to may partly reduce benefits. Social Security, including disability and survivor benefits, does not. Paid vacation, holiday or sick leave counts as earnings for the week, except a cash-out of unused leave.

Question 10

How do I apply for unemployment in Washington?

Accepted Answer

Apply online through your ESD eServices account (secure.esd.wa.gov). File your first weekly claim the Sunday after you apply, even if your claim is still being reviewed, and file every week after that. Each weekly claim reports your job search, any hours worked and gross earnings, and any holiday, vacation or sick pay.

Question 11

How do I appeal an unemployment denial in Washington?

Accepted Answer

You must submit an appeal within 30 days from the date the determination letter was mailed. File online in eServices: open the claim, go to "Decision Status" and choose "File an appeal." If you file late, you will have to explain why. Keep filing weekly claims while your appeal is pending.

Question 12

Can you work part-time and collect unemployment in Washington?

Accepted Answer

ESD subtracts part of your gross weekly earnings from your weekly benefit using its earnings deduction chart. Under the chart, the first $5 is not deducted, and about three-quarters of each dollar above $5 is subtracted. If your earnings are too high, you get no benefit that week.

Question 13

Can self-employed or gig workers get unemployment in Washington?

Accepted Answer

Washington's Self-Employment Assistance program (SEAP) offers business training and counseling while you collect unemployment benefits, and you do not have to look for work while in training. To qualify you must be eligible for regular benefits and either have a qualifying profile score (above 30.6 for 2026 applicants) or be eligible for Commissioner-Approved Training; approval is required in advance. Net self-employment earnings and all self-employment hours must be reported weekly, and if you work 40 or more hours in self-employment in a week, you are not considered unemployed that week.

Question 14

Where do I log in to my unemployment claim in Washington?

Accepted Answer

Washington's Employment Security Department (ESD) eServices is where you file weekly unemployment claims online (available 12 a.m. Sunday to 11:59 p.m. Saturday): log in and look under "Account alerts" for "You have a UI weekly claim to file." A claim week runs Sunday through Saturday and can't be claimed until it ends; file for each week you want benefits (your first eligible week is an unpaid waiting week). You can also file by phone at 800-318-6022 (automated system 12 a.m. Sunday through 4 p.m. Friday), which is also the number to call to correct an error on a filed claim. Washington Relay: 711.

If you were fired	If you were fired for misconduct or gross misconduct, you may not qualify. Misconduct includes deliberately or maliciously disregarding your employer or co-workers. If ESD finds misconduct or gross misconduct, it denies benefits for at least 10 weeks after the week you were fired, and you must earn at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount in covered work to qualify again. For gross misconduct, ESD also removes those wages and hours from your record, which can make you ineligible for future benefits. Being let go for performance alone is generally treated as a firing, not necessarily misconduct. Source: Washington ESD, Laid off or fired
If you quit	If you quit for good cause, you may be eligible, but you must also show you tried to keep your job unless that would have been useless. Recognized reasons include: moving with a spouse or domestic partner whose job is outside your area; domestic violence or stalking; losing access to care for a child or vulnerable adult; your own illness or disability, or a family member's illness, disability or death; your employer cutting your usual pay or hours by 25% or more; a job move that lengthens your commute; quitting to take another job; entering approved apprenticeship or Trade Adjustment Assistance training; and unfixed safety problems or illegal activity you reported. Source: Washington ESD, You quit your job
Layoffs and reduced hours	Workers who are laid off may qualify if they meet the basic requirements. You can work part-time and still get benefits, and part-time work usually stretches the number of weeks you can collect. Temporary layoffs and standby status have their own rules, and standby can last up to 8 weeks with ESD approval. Source: Washington ESD, Basic eligibility requirements; Unemployed Worker's Handbook (October 2025)
Earnings needed to qualify	You need at least 680 hours of work in your base year, and at least some of your wages must be from Washington. The base year is generally the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. If you do not have 680 hours, ESD can use an alternate base year of the last four completed quarters. Source: Washington ESD, Estimate your benefit; Basic eligibility requirements
Self-employed, 1099 and gig workers	Washington's Self-Employment Assistance program (SEAP) offers business training and counseling while you collect unemployment benefits, and you do not have to look for work while in training. To qualify you must be eligible for regular benefits and either have a qualifying profile score (above 30.6 for 2026 applicants) or be eligible for Commissioner-Approved Training; approval is required in advance. Net self-employment earnings and all self-employment hours must be reported weekly, and if you work 40 or more hours in self-employment in a week, you are not considered unemployed that week. Source: Washington Employment Security Department, Self-Employment Assistance program (SEAP)

Weekly benefit amount	ESD averages your wages in the two highest-paid quarters of your base year and multiplies the result by 3.85%. The weekly benefit cannot be more than $1,208. If the result is under $383, you get $383 or your estimated weekly wage, whichever is less. Maximum $1,208 per week, the current figure on ESD's page as of October 2026. The effective date was not stated on the page. Source: Washington ESD, Estimate your benefit, "How we calculate your weekly benefit amount"
How many weeks	Normally up to 26 weeks of regular benefits in a 52-week benefit year. Extended Benefits may be available when the state's unemployment rate is high. Source: Washington ESD, Basic eligibility requirements
Waiting week	Yes. The first week you are eligible is an unpaid waiting week. There is only one per benefit year. You must still file a weekly claim and complete your job search for that week. Source: Washington ESD, Unemployed Worker's Handbook (October 2025), "Waiting week"
Working part-time on benefits	ESD subtracts part of your gross weekly earnings from your weekly benefit using its earnings deduction chart. Under the chart, the first $5 is not deducted, and about three-quarters of each dollar above $5 is subtracted. If your earnings are too high, you get no benefit that week. Source: Washington ESD, Earnings deduction chart; Unemployed Worker's Handbook (October 2025), "Report earnings"
Severance and vacation pay	Pay in lieu of notice, termination pay and severance pay may affect your benefits. Report them on your weekly claim and ESD will decide whether they are deductible. Monthly payments from a retirement plan your employer or union contributed to may partly reduce benefits. Social Security, including disability and survivor benefits, does not. Paid vacation, holiday or sick leave counts as earnings for the week, except a cash-out of unused leave. Source: Washington ESD, Unemployed Worker's Handbook (October 2025), "Retirement income", "Separation payments" and "Report earnings"

How to apply	Apply online through your ESD eServices account (secure.esd.wa.gov). File your first weekly claim the Sunday after you apply, even if your claim is still being reviewed, and file every week after that. Each weekly claim reports your job search, any hours worked and gross earnings, and any holiday, vacation or sick pay. Source: Washington ESD, Applying for unemployment benefits; Unemployed Worker's Handbook (October 2025)
Work search requirements	Unless ESD tells you otherwise, complete at least 3 approved job search activities every week, starting the week you want benefits to begin. Activities that count include applying for jobs that fit your skills, interviewing, reporting to a union hiring hall if you are a member, and using reemployment services at a WorkSource center. Keep a job search log for at least 30 days after your benefit year ends. Source: Washington ESD, Unemployed Worker's Handbook (October 2025), "Job search"
Appealing a denial	You must submit an appeal within 30 days from the date the determination letter was mailed. File online in eServices: open the claim, go to "Decision Status" and choose "File an appeal." If you file late, you will have to explain why. Keep filing weekly claims while your appeal is pending. Source: Washington ESD, Unemployed Worker's Handbook (October 2025), "Appeal rights"
Logging in and filing weekly claims	Washington's Employment Security Department (ESD) eServices is where you file weekly unemployment claims online (available 12 a.m. Sunday to 11:59 p.m. Saturday): log in and look under "Account alerts" for "You have a UI weekly claim to file." A claim week runs Sunday through Saturday and can't be claimed until it ends; file for each week you want benefits (your first eligible week is an unpaid waiting week). You can also file by phone at 800-318-6022 (automated system 12 a.m. Sunday through 4 p.m. Friday), which is also the number to call to correct an error on a filed claim. Washington Relay: 711. eServices login: https://secure.esd.wa.gov/home/ Source: Washington Employment Security Department, How to file your weekly claims

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