This is such valuable information that more people need to know about! I'm a newcomer to this community but have been dealing with unemployment issues myself. The fact that this 6x requalification rule isn't prominently displayed during the application process is really problematic. I've been reading through state UI handbooks from other states and it seems like Washington could do a much better job of making these requirements clear upfront. Some states actually have a pre-application checklist that walks you through ALL the requirements before you even start the process. For anyone else who might be in a similar situation - it might be worth checking if your previous employer reported all your wages correctly too. Sometimes there are reporting errors that can affect your earnings calculations. You can request a wage statement from ESD to verify what they have on file. Really hoping your appeal or the freelance documentation route works out, Wesley! Keep us posted on how it goes.

This is exactly why I joined this community - to learn about these hidden rules before they bite me! I'm currently employed but worried about potential layoffs, and I had UI benefits about 18 months ago. Reading this thread is a real eye-opener about the 6x requalification requirement. It sounds like the key takeaway is to always assume you'll need to earn at least 6 times your potential weekly benefit amount after any UI claim ends, just to be safe. I'm going to start keeping better records of ALL my earnings (including any side work) just in case I need to document everything later. Wesley, your situation really highlights how the system can penalize people for relatively small shortfalls. $480 seems like such an arbitrary line to draw when you clearly made a good faith effort to return to work. I really hope the freelance documentation angle works out for you - it seems unfair that the system wouldn't count legitimate earnings just because of how they were paid. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge here. This kind of peer-to-peer information sharing is invaluable when dealing with such a complex system!

Just as an update for those facing similar issues: ESD implemented a new security protocol in early 2025 that sometimes causes these login problems. The technical explanation is that they're using a new multi-factor verification system on the backend that occasionally gets out of sync with their user database. When you call, specifically ask them to "reset your MFA token synchronization" - that's the technical term that will help the agent understand exactly what needs to be fixed. This is different from a simple password reset.

I've been dealing with similar login issues for weeks now! What finally worked for me was calling ESD early in the morning (right when they open at 8 AM) - seems like the phone lines are less jammed then. When I got through, the agent told me that their system has been having problems with accounts that were created or had password resets during certain time periods in February and March. She had to manually "refresh" my account status on their end. The whole call took about 15 minutes once I got connected. Definitely frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops just to file our claims, but at least there seems to be a fix when you can actually reach someone!

The whole process is designed to eventually move forward even if employers don't cooperate. Washington ESD can't just leave claims hanging indefinitely - they have performance metrics and federal requirements to meet for processing times.

Just went through this exact situation last month. Employer never responded and my claim got approved after exactly 2 weeks and 3 days. Got all my back pay from the date I filed. Hang in there!

One last tip - if you do start collecting Social Security, make sure you understand how it might affect your spouse's benefits too, especially if they haven't started collecting yet.

I went through this exact situation last year at age 64. Washington ESD unemployment benefits definitely don't affect your Social Security calculation - they're completely separate systems. I collected both for about 4 months while job searching. The key things to remember: 1) Both are taxable income so plan for taxes accordingly, 2) You need to stay available for work to keep getting unemployment, and 3) If you find work while on early Social Security, there are earning limits to consider ($23,400 for 2025). I'd recommend using that Claimyr service others mentioned to get through to Social Security - it really does work better than calling directly. The peace of mind from having both income sources while looking for work was worth it for me.

Make sure you register with Washington ESD as soon as you hire your first employee. There are penalties for late registration and you'll be liable for back taxes from the date you should have registered.

Thanks everyone for all this detailed info! This thread has been incredibly helpful. Just to summarize what I've learned: new tech businesses typically start around 1.5-2.7%, there's an additional 0.02% surcharge, taxes are paid quarterly on wages up to $68,500 per employee, and rates can drop significantly over time with good experience ratings. The hardest part seems to be actually reaching Washington ESD when you have questions - definitely going to check out that Claimyr service several people mentioned. Really appreciate this community sharing real-world experiences!