Can I get a new UI claim after 6 months of work between two ESD benefit periods?
I'm trying to figure out how benefit periods work with ESD. I collected unemployment for 3 weeks in August 2023, then got a job and worked steadily for 6 months. Got laid off again in February 2025 and reactivated my old claim. ESD approved me for 23 weeks of benefits. My question is - since I worked solidly for 6 months between claims, shouldn't I qualify for a brand new 26-week benefit year instead of just picking up the leftover 23 weeks from my old claim? Is there some way to tell ESD I want a new claim based on my most recent 6 months of work instead of continuing the old one? I know extensions aren't available anymore, but this seems like it should be a different situation. Has anyone successfully switched from an old claim to a new one after working in between?
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Norah Quay
You might qualify for a new claim! The key is whether you earned enough wages in your base year. For a new claim in 2025, they'll look at your wages from roughly Oct 2023-Sept 2024. You need at least 680 hours of work during that period. Also, if your new weekly benefit amount would be at least $25 higher than your current one, ESD might let you establish a new claim. Call and ask them to review your file for a "subsequent new claim" - that's the official term.
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Kelsey Chin
•Thanks! That makes sense. I definitely worked more than 680 hours during that period, and I was making about $4/hr more at my recent job than the one before. I'll ask about a "subsequent new claim" when I call.
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Leo McDonald
same thing happened 2 me last year. they told me i HAD to use up the old claim first before i could file a new 1. super annoying cuz my benefit amount would of been higher with a new claim but they wouldnt let me choose!
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Jessica Nolan
•That's not entirely accurate. Under certain conditions, you CAN qualify for a new claim instead of continuing the old one. The regulation is WAC 192-110-095, which states you can file a new claim if you worked enough qualifying hours AND your new weekly benefit amount would be at least $25 higher than the previous claim's remaining balance. So it depends on your specific wage history.
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Angelina Farar
I had this EXACT issue in January!! Was told by the automated system I only had 19 weeks left but I'd worked for almost a year between claims. Super frustrating trying to reach someone at ESD - literally spent 3 days calling non-stop and getting hung up on. Finally I tried a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual agent in about 45 minutes. The agent reviewed my file and confirmed I qualified for a new claim with a full 26 weeks. Check out their demo video if you're struggling to get through: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Seriously a game changer for getting help with these complicated situations.
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Kelsey Chin
•Thanks for that tip. I've been trying to call them for 2 days now with no luck. I'll check out that service if I can't get through tomorrow. Did they help you fill out a new application or did they just add weeks to your existing claim?
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Angelina Farar
•They helped me file a completely new claim once they verified I had enough hours/wages in my base year. My weekly amount went up about $75 too which was nice. Just make sure you have all your employment info ready when you talk to them!
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Sebastián Stevens
This whole system is RIDICULOUS. The ESD deliberately makes these rules complicated so people give up and don't get the full benefits they deserve. I bet they save millions by making people reactivate old claims instead of starting new ones. Then they wonder why people get frustrated and give up!!!
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Bethany Groves
•While I understand your frustration, the rules about subsequent claims actually do make sense from an administrative perspective. The issue is more about poor communication and difficulty reaching representatives who can explain your options. The base year calculation system is designed to ensure stable work history, not to deprive people of benefits.
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KingKongZilla
I had a similar situation last spring. Here's what you need to know: 1) You need to have 680+ hours in your base year (4 quarters) 2) Your new weekly benefit amount must be at least $25 higher than your current one 3) You must specifically request a "subsequent new claim" evaluation ESD won't automatically check this for you - you MUST ask them to review. In my case, I qualified but they initially just reopened my old claim. When I finally got through to someone and specifically mentioned "subsequent new claim", they recalculated and I got approved for a new 26-week benefit year with a higher weekly amount.
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Kelsey Chin
•This is really helpful - thank you! I'll definitely use the exact phrase "subsequent new claim" when I talk to them. I'm sure I have enough hours, and my pay was definitely higher at the new job. Just need to actually reach a human at ESD now...
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Rebecca Johnston
my cousin works for esd and she says they're supposed to check this automatically but with how backed up they are things slip through the cracks all the time. definitely worth calling and asking specifically
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Jessica Nolan
•This is partially correct. Under normal circumstances, ESD systems should flag accounts with sufficient new wages for review, but the process isn't fully automated. The claimant still needs to initiate a new claim application, which then triggers the system to evaluate eligibility for a subsequent new claim under WAC 192-110-095. The high volume of claims can definitely cause delays in this process.
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Kelsey Chin
Update: Finally got through to ESD today! You all were right - I qualified for a new claim because I had over 900 hours in my base year and my new weekly benefit amount is $78 higher than my old one. The agent said my old claim will be closed and I'll get the full 26 weeks on my new claim. Thanks everyone for the help!
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KingKongZilla
•That's great news! Glad you were able to get it sorted out. Did you have to wait long to speak with someone?
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Kelsey Chin
•I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. Honestly worth it since I'd wasted so much time trying to call on my own. Got through to ESD in about 30 minutes instead of spending another day hitting redial.
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