Can I reapply for unemployment if I was denied by Washington ESD?

Yes, you can absolutely file a new claim! Each unemployment claim is based on your most recent work history and reason for separation. The previous denial won't automatically disqualify you from this new claim since it's a completely different job separation.

I was in almost the exact same boat last year. Previous claim denied for job abandonment (total BS), then got laid off from my next job 8 months later. Filed a new claim and it went through without any issues. Washington ESD will look at your most recent employer and why you separated from that job, not the old stuff.

Just make sure you file as soon as possible after your layoff. There's no waiting period between claims, and you want to get in the system quickly. If you run into any issues with Washington ESD during the process, I'd recommend checking out Claimyr at claimyr.com - they help people get through to ESD agents when the phone lines are impossible. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

wait so the old denial doesn't matter at all?? that seems weird to me

One thing to be aware of though - if they do any kind of review or audit, they might look at your full claim history. I don't think it would disqualify you but it could potentially slow down processing if they want to verify details about the previous claim.

THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN! I've been fighting these people for months and they just deny deny deny. Good luck getting any help from Washington ESD - they're useless!

I think you should also consider appealing that old denial if you still can. Even though you have a new job separation, having that old decision overturned might help if there are ever questions about your claim history. But I'm not sure if there's a time limit on appeals.

Make sure you have all your layoff documentation ready when you file - termination letter, final pay stub, any WARN notice if applicable. Being organized upfront can prevent delays.

Quick question - do you know if you'll need to do job search activities right away or is there still a waiting period for that?

I had a friend who was in a similar situation and she said the new claim went through fine, but it took forever to get her first payment because of some 'computer glitch' they claimed. Just be patient if there are delays.

wait I'm confused about something - if you file a new claim, does it use your wages from the job you just got laid off from, or does it go back further? like what if you didn't work there very long?

Just wanted to add - even though your previous claim was denied, you should still answer all the questions on the new application honestly. Don't try to hide anything because they have access to all your previous interactions with Washington ESD.

I'm dealing with something similar but my old claim is still in adjudication hell from 4 months ago. Should I file a new claim for my recent layoff or wait for the old one to get resolved?

One more thing - make sure you file online if possible. The phone system is still a mess and online filing is much faster and more reliable.

Has anyone used those services that help you get through to ESD on the phone? I keep seeing ads for them but wondering if they're legit.

Good luck OP! Sounds like you should be fine since it's a legitimate layoff. The system works better when there are no gray areas about the reason for separation.

Just to echo what others said - I was denied on a previous claim for attendance issues (which I disagreed with) and when I got laid off from my next job 2 years later, the new claim was approved without any problems. The key is that each claim is evaluated independently.

Don't forget you'll need to certify weekly once your claim is active. Set a reminder so you don't miss any weeks - they don't automatically pay you.

Update us when you file! I'm curious to see how smooth the process is these days compared to the chaos from a couple years ago.

Last thought - if your claim does get flagged for any reason and goes into adjudication, don't panic. It's pretty routine and usually just means they need to verify some information. Just respond quickly to any requests they send you.