Can you get unemployment more than once in Washington state?

Yes, you can absolutely file for unemployment benefits multiple times in Washington state! There's no lifetime limit on how many times you can collect UI benefits. As long as you meet the basic eligibility requirements each time - like having sufficient work history in your base period and being unemployed through no fault of your own - you can file a new claim.

The key thing is making sure you have enough qualifying wages in your base period for the new claim. Since you worked full-time for two years, you should definitely meet the wage requirements. When you file your new claim, Washington ESD will look at your most recent wages to calculate your weekly benefit amount.

I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I needed to ask about my second claim last year. The phone lines are always so busy and I kept getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made the whole process so much easier!

Been there! This will be my fourth time filing for unemployment over the years due to various layoffs and company closures. Each time I file, it's treated as a completely separate claim. The only thing that might be different is if you still have money left on a previous claim that hasn't expired - then they might reopen that one instead of starting fresh.

Just remember that you'll need to meet all the same requirements as your first claim - registering with WorkSource, doing your job search activities, filing your weekly claims on time, etc. The process doesn't get any easier just because you've done it before lol

One thing to watch out for - if you quit your job voluntarily or got fired for misconduct, that could disqualify you even if your previous claims were approved. Each claim is evaluated independently based on how that specific job ended.

wait so there's really no limit?? like you could theoretically collect unemployment every few years if you keep getting laid off? that seems like it could be abused

I filed my second claim about 6 months ago and the process was pretty similar to my first one from 2020. Had to verify my identity again through ID.me which was annoying but otherwise straightforward. Just make sure you file as soon as you're eligible - don't wait thinking you might find a job quickly.

Just went through this exact situation myself last month. Filed my third unemployment claim after being laid off again. The Washington ESD website makes it pretty clear that you can file multiple claims as long as you meet eligibility each time. Your benefit amount might be different based on your recent wages though.

By the way, if you do run into issues reaching Washington ESD by phone (which you probably will), definitely check out that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. Saved me hours of redialing and getting hung up on. Sometimes you really need to talk to an actual person to get things sorted out.

Been collecting unemployment on and off for years due to seasonal work in construction. Filed probably 8-10 claims over the past 15 years and never had any issues with repeat filing. Washington state is pretty good about this compared to some other places I've worked.

Make sure you keep good records of your work history and wages from all your jobs. Washington ESD sometimes needs additional documentation, especially if there are any discrepancies in your wage reports. Better to have everything organized upfront.

One more thing - if you haven't used all 26 weeks of your regular UI benefits yet and your benefit year hasn't expired, they might reopen your old claim instead of starting a new one. But since you said you exhausted your previous claim, you should be good to file fresh.

The timing actually worked out well for you having steady employment between claims. Shows you're not just trying to game the system, you know? Washington ESD likes to see that people are genuinely working when they can and only claiming benefits when they really need them.

Don't forget about the work search requirements! They're pretty strict about the 3 job contacts per week thing now. Keep detailed records of every application and contact you make.

honestly the worst part about filing multiple times is having to set up all the online accounts again. like why doesn't my login from 2022 still work?? such a pain having to verify everything from scratch

Just to add one more perspective - I work in HR and deal with unemployment claims from the employer side. There's definitely no limit on how many times someone can file for benefits. We've had former employees file multiple claims over the years and it's always handled as a separate case each time.

Bottom line - yes you can definitely file again! I've done it twice myself and planning ahead for a potential third time with how unstable my industry has been. Washington ESD doesn't penalize people for needing benefits multiple times as long as each claim is legitimate.

Pro tip: start gathering your employment documents now while you're thinking about it. You'll need info about your employers, start/end dates, reason for separation, etc. Having it all ready makes the online application go much faster.

One last thing about calling Washington ESD if you need to - I had success using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier when my claim hit some snags. Definitely worth trying if you can't get through on your own. The regular phone lines are basically impossible most days.

This is such a comprehensive thread! As a newcomer who might face a similar situation in the future, I'm really grateful for all the detailed responses. It's reassuring to know that Washington state doesn't limit how many times you can file for unemployment benefits as long as you meet the eligibility requirements each time. The advice about keeping good employment records, being prepared for the identity verification process, and having backup options like Claimyr for contacting ESD is super valuable. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this kind of community knowledge is exactly what people need when navigating these situations!

As someone who recently moved to Washington state for work, this thread has been incredibly eye-opening about the unemployment system here. I had no idea that you could file multiple claims without restrictions - that's actually pretty progressive compared to some other states I've lived in. The detailed breakdown of requirements and the step-by-step advice from people who've actually been through the process multiple times is invaluable. I'm bookmarking this entire discussion for future reference, especially the tips about document preparation and the Claimyr service for getting through to ESD. It's refreshing to see a community where people share practical, real-world advice rather than just regurgitating government website info. Thanks to everyone who contributed their experiences!

This has been such a helpful discussion to read through! I'm currently employed but work in a pretty volatile industry, so it's really reassuring to know that Washington doesn't put arbitrary limits on unemployment filings. The collective wisdom here about keeping detailed employment records, preparing for identity verification, and having backup contact methods like Claimyr is exactly the kind of practical advice that makes all the difference when you're actually dealing with these situations. It's also encouraging to see how supportive this community is - people sharing their real experiences, both good and frustrating, gives such a better picture than just reading the official ESD website. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their knowledge!