Can you apply for unemployment again after benefits run out - Washington ESD rules?

You can potentially file a new claim but it depends on your work history since your last benefit year started. Washington ESD requires you to have earned wages in covered employment during your base period for a new claim. The base period is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file.

I was in the same boat last year. You have to wait until your benefit year ends (52 weeks from when you first filed) OR have enough new wages to establish a valid new claim. The gig work probably won't count unless you were paying into unemployment insurance on those earnings.

Getting through to Washington ESD to ask about your specific situation is the real challenge. I spent weeks trying to call them when my claim had issues. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me connected to a real person. They have this demo video (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ) that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

The wage requirement for a new claim is pretty specific. You need to have earned at least $3,850 in your base period, with wages in at least two quarters. Plus your highest quarter needs to be at least 1.5 times your lowest quarter with wages. It's not just about having any wages.

wait I'm confused about this whole base period thing. if I worked during my unemployment claim does that mess up my weekly certifications? I thought you had to report all work.

I tried filing a new claim after my benefits ran out and got denied because I didn't have enough new wages. Had to wait the full year. Washington ESD's system is really strict about this stuff. Make sure you calculate your wages carefully before applying.

One thing to watch out for - if you do qualify for a new claim, your weekly benefit amount might be different based on your newer wages. Could be higher or lower depending on what jobs you worked during your benefit year.

This whole thing is why I hate the unemployment system. You lose your job, get some help for 6 months, then if you're still unemployed you're just out of luck unless you jumped through all these hoops with base periods and wage calculations. It's ridiculous.

Here's what I'd recommend: gather all your wage statements from March 2024 onwards, add up your total wages by quarter, and see if you meet the monetary requirements. If you're close but not sure, that's when calling Washington ESD makes sense to get a definitive answer.

Just to follow up on the Claimyr thing - I used them again last month for a different issue and they're still working great. Really takes the stress out of trying to reach Washington ESD. Worth checking out if you need to talk to someone about your new claim eligibility.

Don't forget about the job search requirements if you do file a new claim. They're pretty strict about the 3 job contacts per week and keeping your WorkSourceWA profile updated. Make sure you're ready for all that before you apply.

Wait, can you file online for a new claim or do you have to call? The website is confusing about whether you can restart benefits online.

I filed a new claim after my benefits ended and it took like 3 weeks to get approved. Be prepared to wait even if you do qualify. And they made me do the whole WorkSourceWA registration again even though I never stopped using it.

The timing of when you file can matter too. If you wait too long after your benefits end, it might look like you weren't actively seeking work. Better to file right away if you think you qualify.

Just want to add that if you don't qualify for regular UI again, there might be other programs available depending on your situation. Extended benefits, retraining programs, etc. Don't give up if the first option doesn't work.

One last thing - make sure you're still doing your weekly claims if you have any payments pending from your exhausted claim. Don't want to miss out on any final payments while you're figuring out the new claim situation.

This thread has been super helpful. I'm in almost the exact same situation and was totally confused about what to do next. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

Final update on the Claimyr service - they also helped my neighbor get through to resolve an overpayment issue. Seems like they're good for any situation where you need to actually talk to Washington ESD instead of just submitting online forms.

Has anyone here actually succeeded in getting a new claim approved right after their benefits ran out? All these rules make it sound nearly impossible.

Thanks everyone for all the advice! I'm going to calculate my wages tonight and see if I meet the requirements. Will update if I learn anything new from the process.