The system is designed for exactly this situation. People lose jobs, find new jobs, lose jobs again - it's normal. The unemployment insurance system exists to help during these transitions, no matter how many times it happens.

I've been through this exact scenario multiple times! Since your claim from last year (February 2024) has definitely expired, you'll need to file a completely new claim. Don't stress about it - the process is straightforward and Washington ESD handles repeat filers all the time. Just make sure you have your recent employment information ready, including your separation reason from the most recent job. The 6 months you worked should easily meet the earnings requirements for a new claim. Good luck!

Hope this helps other students who are wondering about this. The key takeaway seems to be that it's possible but depends heavily on your specific circumstances and schedule.

Just applied for benefits as a part-time student after reading this thread. Fingers crossed! Will update with results.

This thread is gold for anyone going through the determination process. Bookmarking for future reference!

I went through this exact same process last year after being laid off from my office job. The "qualifying separation determination" basically means Washington ESD is verifying that your job separation qualifies you for benefits. Since you were laid off due to company downsizing (not fired for cause or voluntarily quit), you should definitely be approved. The process took about 3 weeks for me, but that was during a less busy time. Just keep filing your weekly claims while you wait - don't stop doing that even though it's pending! The anxiety is real but layoffs are pretty much the most straightforward approvals they handle.

I'm currently going through the adjudication process myself and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I had my interview 3 days ago for a layoff situation (my company had to eliminate positions due to financial restructuring). The interview was about 8 minutes and the adjudicator confirmed they already had my employer's documentation on file. Reading all these success stories, especially the pattern of 5-7 business days for straightforward layoff cases, gives me so much hope. The waiting is definitely anxiety-inducing when you're watching your savings dwindle, but seeing @DeShawn Washington and others get approved relatively quickly for similar situations helps me stay positive. I've been diligently filing my weekly claims and keeping all my documentation ready. Fingers crossed I'll have good news to share soon and can help the next person going through this stressful process!

This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm scheduled for my adjudication interview next Tuesday for a layoff situation (company closure due to bankruptcy). Reading through everyone's experiences, especially the consistent pattern of 5-7 business days for straightforward layoff cases, has really helped calm my nerves about what to expect. It's encouraging to see that when the employer documentation is already on file and the separation reason is clear-cut, the process seems to move much more efficiently. I've been preparing by gathering all my layoff paperwork and making sure I understand the timeline of events clearly. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - @DeShawn Washington, @Kevin Bell, and others - your success stories give hope to those of us just starting this process! I'll make sure to update this thread with my timeline once I go through it to help the next person.

As someone who works in HR and has helped employees through layoffs, I want to emphasize that you should also ask your HR department about any transition assistance they might offer. Some companies provide resume writing services, job placement assistance, or extended health insurance coverage. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself during this process - many employers want to help their laid-off employees succeed in their job search, and it reflects well on the company too.

Going through a potential layoff situation is incredibly stressful, and I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here. One thing I wanted to add is that if you do get laid off, don't hesitate to reach out to your network right away. I was laid off about two years ago and found that former colleagues, friends, and even LinkedIn connections were surprisingly helpful in pointing me toward opportunities. Sometimes people feel embarrassed about being laid off, but it's really nothing to be ashamed of - it happens to good people all the time due to business circumstances beyond their control. The combination of unemployment benefits and active networking can really help bridge that gap while you're searching for your next role.