Can I file a new ESD claim after my benefit year ends in July 2024?
My current unemployment claim from July 2023 is set to expire on July 27th, 2024. I'm wondering if I can apply for a new claim after that date? My work history is a bit unusual - I was only unemployed for about a month last summer before finding full-time work from September 2023 through March 2024. Unfortunately, I lost that job in March and have been collecting from my original claim since then. Will I qualify for a new benefit year based on the 6 months of work I did between claims? Do I need to wait until my current benefit year officially ends before applying? I'm getting nervous because my benefits are running low and I haven't found a new position yet.
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Miguel Silva
Yes, you can apply for a new claim once your benefit year ends in July. The key question is whether you've earned enough qualifying wages in your base year to establish a new claim. Since you worked full-time from September 2023 to March 2024 (about 6 months), you likely have enough quarters of earnings to qualify for a new claim. You'll need to wait until your current benefit year actually expires before applying for the new one. Mark your calendar for July 28, 2024, and submit your new application then. ESD will look at your base year (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before applying), so your work from late 2023 and early 2024 should count toward your eligibility.
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StarSailor}
•Thank you so much for the detailed response! So I definitely have to wait until July 28th exactly? I can't apply a week or two early? I'm just worried about having a gap in benefits if there's processing time needed for the new claim.
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Zainab Ismail
i had similar situation last yr. u cant apply til the exact day after ur benefit yr ends. they get real picky bout that. but ur 6 months of work shud be enough for new claim, thats what ESD told me when i called
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Connor O'Neill
•This is correct, but I'd add that it's actually better to apply for your new claim on the Monday AFTER your benefit year ends. The ESD systems sometimes have issues with weekend applications during benefit year transitions. Also, make sure you have your paystubs or W-2 from that September-March job handy when you apply - you'll need to provide accurate quarterly wage information.
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Yara Nassar
I JUST went through this!! Let me tell u the ESD system is COMPLETELY broken when it comes to transitioning between claims!!! I waited till my benefit yr ended exactly like they said & still ended up with a THREE WEEK GAP with no money while they "processed" my new claim!!! Had to borrow money from my parents to pay rent. This system is DESIGNED to make ppl give up!!!
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StarSailor}
•Oh no, that's exactly what I'm afraid of! I can't afford to go three weeks without income. Do you think there's any way to avoid that kind of gap? Did you try calling them to speed things up?
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Keisha Robinson
When I was in this situation last year, I found using Claimyr to reach an ESD agent really helped. I'd spent days trying to get through on my own but kept getting disconnected. With Claimyr (claimyr.com), I got through to an agent in about 30 minutes who was able to process my claim transition much faster. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Regarding your question - yes, you need to wait until your benefit year ends, but having 6 months of full-time work should absolutely qualify you for a new claim. The key is making sure you're ready to file immediately when your benefit year ends and being proactive about any issues that arise.
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Yara Nassar
•Does this actually work?? I spent HOURS on hold and never got through when my new claim was stuck!!!
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Keisha Robinson
It really did work for me. I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying for days to get through. The system called me back when an agent was available instead of making me wait on hold.
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StarSailor}
•Thanks for the recommendation - I might need this if I run into problems. I'm going to try applying right after my benefit year ends and hope for the best, but it's good to know there's an option if I can't get through to someone.
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GalaxyGuardian
my cousin had this same thing happen but her new claim got denied even tho she worked 5 months in between!!! something about not meeting the "680 hours" requirement. make sure you check if you have enough work hours not just time at the job!! good luck!!
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Miguel Silva
•This is an important point. Washington requires 680 hours of work in your base year to qualify for a regular UI claim. Working full-time (40 hours/week) for 6 months would give you approximately 960 hours, which should be sufficient, but if you worked part-time or had significant unpaid time off, you might fall short. You can estimate your hours by multiplying your weekly hours by the number of weeks worked.
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Paolo Ricci
Just wondering - have you been doing your job search activities while on your current claim? I'm asking because I knew someone who got denied a new claim because they hadn't been keeping up with their job search requirements on their prior claim. ESD can be really picky about that stuff. Maybe double-check your WorkSource account to make sure everything's up to date before applying for the new claim.
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StarSailor}
•Yes, I've been doing my 3 job search activities every week and logging them. I've actually had several interviews but haven't landed a position yet. The job market in my field has been really tough lately. Thanks for the reminder though - I'll double check my WorkSource account is all current before I apply for the new claim.
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Connor O'Neill
One additional thing to consider: Your weekly benefit amount on your new claim will be calculated based on your highest-earning quarters during the base year. Since you worked from September 2023 to March 2024, those quarters will determine your new benefit amount. If you were earning more at this recent job than you were before your first claim, your weekly benefit amount might actually increase. Conversely, if you were earning less, your new weekly amount might be lower. Also, start gathering documentation of your employment now - pay stubs, employment verification letter, contact info for HR at your last employer. Having these ready when you file your new claim on July 28th will help prevent delays in processing.
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StarSailor}
•That's really helpful advice! My recent job actually paid better than my previous one, so hopefully my benefit amount will be a bit higher. I'll start organizing my pay stubs and employment documents now so I have everything ready to go. Really appreciate all the information everyone's provided!
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