Who is Eligible
You must meet specific criteria to be eligible for unemployment benefits in Washington. For example, you must be:
• Employed for at least 680 hours in your base year in covered employment .
• Unemployed for reasons that are not your fault. For example, you:
- Were laid off.
- Are still working, but your hours were cut back.
- Were fired for a reason other than misconduct or gross misconduct.
- Quit for a good-cause reason.
• Able to and available for work.
• Actively seeking suitable work .
• Legally authorized to work in the United States and have been authorized to work during your base year.
Everyone’s circumstance is unique. We’ll decide if you are eligible for unemployment benefits based on the facts about your job loss. Knowingly breaking the rules is unemployment-benefits fraud, which may lead to serious penalties. If you have questions, call the claims center or visit our website and enter “eligibility” in the search box. You also can ask a question through esd.wa.gov. Click on “ask questions about your claim” and choose “submit a question.”
What is able and available for work?
You are able to work if you have the physical and mental capacity and the legal right to work each day you claim benefits. You are available for work if you are immediately ready and capable of accepting suitable work in your labor market . You must be ready to accept the work during all customary hours for your occupation each day of the week you are claiming benefits.
Examples of not being able to or available for work:
• Vacationing.
• Being ill or hospitalized.
• Not having child care or transportation.