Can you apply for unemployment more than once in Washington ESD system?

That's a relief! I worked full-time for about 6 months at the new job before getting laid off. Should be enough work history then.

How many hours do you need to work between claims? I'm in a similar situation but only worked part-time for 4 months.

Do I file through the same SecureAccess Washington account or do I need to create a new one?

Same account! Just log into your existing SAW account and file a new initial application.

Have you tried calling right when they open at 8am? That's usually the best time to get through.

I actually found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to ESD agents. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of redialing!

No limit as long as you meet the work requirements each time. Some people have multiple claims over several years depending on their employment situation.

The only restriction is that you need to have worked enough hours and earned enough wages since your last claim to qualify for a new benefit year.

That's good to know! Did the process get easier each time or was it pretty much the same?

Pretty much the same process each time. The hardest part is always remembering all your employer details and dates.

Good point! I'll file this week. Better to get the process started even if it takes time to get approved.

That makes sense. My new job paid a bit less than my previous one, so I should expect a lower benefit amount.

Actually, Washington ESD gives you the option to use wages from your previous benefit year if they result in a higher benefit amount. It's called an alternate base year.

Oh no, how long did the adjudication take? I can't afford to wait months for benefits.

It took about 3 weeks total. They contacted both my employers to verify my employment and reason for separation.

No waiting period required. You can file a new claim immediately after your previous one ends, as long as you worked in between.

That's correct. The only 'waiting period' is the one-week waiting period that applies to all new claims in Washington.

Try using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked - got through to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes instead of calling all day.

I'll check it out. Anything is better than spending my whole day hitting redial!

Thanks for the reminder! I'll gather all my pay stubs and tax documents before I start filing.

Absolutely. I was laid off due to company restructuring, so it shouldn't be an issue with my eligibility.

Seasonal work can be tricky with unemployment. Sometimes they require you to be available for work year-round, not just during your season.

All your claims show up in the same SecureAccess Washington account. You can see your claim history going back several years.

Perfect, that makes it easier to track everything in one place.

That's encouraging! Hopefully my second claim will go smoothly too.

Good point! I remember having to do that for my first claim. I'll make sure to get that done right away.

The job search requirements are the same for repeat claims - 3 job search activities per week unless you're on standby with your employer.

Thanks for clarifying that! I was wondering about the difference between reopening and filing new.

Great advice! I'll make sure to keep digital copies of all my forms and documents.

Perfect! Thanks everyone for all the helpful information. I feel much more confident about filing my second claim now.