Can you file for unemployment another time after previous claim ended?

Yes, you can definitely file a new claim! Since you worked after your last claim ended, you should be eligible to start a fresh benefit year. You'll need to meet the base period earnings requirements again, but it sounds like you had some work history since November.

I've done this twice now. The key thing is making sure you have enough earnings in your new base period. If you only worked part-time for a couple months, you might not qualify for much.

Just went through this exact situation last month. Filed a new claim after my previous benefits ended in October. The process was straightforward, but I had trouble getting through to anyone at Washington ESD to verify my claim status. Kept getting busy signals and disconnected calls.

Wait, I'm confused. I thought you could only get unemployment once per year or something? This is all new to me.

The timing thing is important too. Make sure you file as soon as you become unemployed - benefits don't backdate very far in Washington. I made that mistake once and lost like two weeks of benefits.

been there done that multiple times unfortunately lol. just make sure you report the part time work correctly when you file, they'll ask about all your recent employment

One thing to keep in mind - your weekly benefit amount might be different this time since it's based on your new base period earnings. If you were making good money at the part-time job, you might actually get more than your previous claim.

Just want to mention that if you end up having any issues with your claim getting stuck in adjudication or anything, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier is legit. Used it myself when my claim was pending for weeks and they got me through to an agent same day.

Also remember you'll need to do the job search requirements again. Three job search activities per week, keep good records in case they audit you.

I've filed like 4 different claims over the years due to various job situations. Each time gets easier once you know the process. The main thing is just having your employment history organized.

Update on the Claimyr thing - they also helped me understand why my claim was taking so long. Turns out there was a simple verification issue I could have resolved weeks earlier if I'd known about it. Sometimes you really do need to talk to an actual person at Washington ESD.

Quick question - do you have to wait for your final paycheck before filing? My last day is Friday but I won't get paid until the following week.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel much more confident about filing now. I'll start the application this weekend and hopefully everything goes smoothly.

One more tip - take screenshots of everything when you file online. If there are any issues later, having that documentation can be really helpful.

Also make sure your contact info is current in your SecureAccess Washington account before you file. They'll send important notifications there.

This thread is super helpful! I'm in a similar situation where my contract ended and I need to file again. Bookmarking this for reference.

Final thought - if anyone runs into delays or issues, seriously consider that Claimyr service. I probably would have waited weeks longer without it, and time is money when you're unemployed.

Just remember to be patient with the process. Even when everything goes right, it can take a week or two to get your first payment. Budget accordingly!

Thanks for asking this question OP! I didn't realize you could file multiple times. This info might come in handy for me down the road.

Just want to add one final piece of advice - when you do file, make sure you understand the difference between filing a new claim versus reopening an old one. Since you had work after your benefits ended, you definitely want to file a NEW claim to get the higher benefit amount based on your recent earnings.

I just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this process recently. You absolutely can file for a new unemployment claim after your previous benefits ended, especially since you've been working since then. The key thing that helped me was having all my documentation ready before I started the online application - pay stubs, employer contact information, and exact dates of employment. Washington ESD's system will walk you through everything step by step. Since you were making $800/week part-time, you should qualify for a much better weekly benefit amount than your previous claim. Don't stress too much about it - the process is pretty straightforward once you get started!

I was in almost the exact same situation last year! Filed a new claim in March after my previous benefits ended in September and I had worked temp jobs through the winter. The process was actually smoother the second time around since I knew what to expect. One thing I'd recommend is to file your claim early in the week (like Monday or Tuesday) - I noticed they seem to process new claims faster at the beginning of the week. Also, since you mentioned your part-time job paid well, you'll probably be pleasantly surprised by your new weekly benefit amount. The system calculates it based on your highest earning quarter in the base period, so those higher wages should really help. Good luck with everything!