Can you reapply for Washington ESD unemployment after it runs out

Yes, you can file a new unemployment claim after your benefit year ends, but there are specific requirements you need to meet. You'll need to have worked and earned enough wages since your last claim started to qualify for a new benefit year. Washington ESD looks at your work history from the past 18 months.

I did work part-time for about 3 months during my claim period but I'm not sure if that's enough wages to qualify. How do I find out if I earned enough?

You can check your quarterly wage reports on your SecureAccess Washington account or call Washington ESD to verify. Generally you need to have earned at least $3,000 in covered wages during your base period.

I was in the same situation last year. You can apply for a new claim but if you don't have enough recent work history, they might just extend your current claim if there are any federal extensions available. The process was confusing for me.

Did you end up getting approved for a new claim or an extension? I'm worried about the gap in payments while they process everything.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about reapplying, I used a service called Claimyr that helped me reach an agent faster. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helped when I needed to clarify my eligibility for a new claim.

Thanks! I'll check that out. I've been trying to call for days but keep getting disconnected.

The timing is important too. You can't just file immediately after your claim runs out. There might be a waiting period, and Washington ESD needs to process your application which can take several weeks. Make sure you keep documenting your job search activities during this time.

Actually, you can file for a new claim right after your benefit year ends if you have the qualifying wages. There's no mandatory waiting period between claims.

ugh the whole system is so confusing! I went through this nightmare last year and it took forever to figure out if I qualified for a new claim or not. Washington ESD website doesn't explain it clearly at all

Yeah I'm finding the same thing. The information online is all over the place and hard to understand.

To clarify the process: 1) File your new unemployment claim online through your Washington ESD account, 2) They'll review your work history from the past 18 months, 3) If you qualify, you'll get a new benefit year with potentially different weekly benefit amounts, 4) If you don't qualify for a new claim, they'll check if any federal extensions are available.

This is really helpful, thank you! Do I need to do anything special when filing or just fill it out like a regular first-time claim?

i think you have to have worked at least 680 hours or something like that in the past year? not sure on the exact number but there's definitely an hours requirement

It's actually based on earnings, not hours. You need sufficient wages in your base period, which is usually the first four of the last five completed quarters before you file.

One thing to watch out for - if you do qualify for a new claim but the weekly benefit amount is lower than your previous claim, Washington ESD might keep you on your old claim if there are any weeks left or extensions available. They're supposed to choose whichever gives you the higher benefit.

Oh wow, I didn't know they would automatically choose the better option. That's actually reassuring.

My cousin went through this and had to provide pay stubs from her part-time work during her claim period to prove she had enough wages. Make sure you have all your employment documentation ready when you apply.

Good point, I should gather all my pay stubs from that part-time job just in case.

If anyone needs help reaching Washington ESD to ask specific questions about reapplying, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really does work. I was skeptical at first but it got me through to an agent in like 10 minutes instead of being on hold for hours.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already broke from being unemployed for so long.

The key thing is don't wait too long to apply if you think you might qualify. There are time limits on when you can file for a new claim, and you want to avoid any gaps in coverage if possible. Washington ESD recommends applying within 4 weeks of your benefit year ending.

I had no idea there was a time limit! I better get on this right away then.

Does anyone know if the job search requirements are different for a new claim vs continuing an old one? I'm wondering if I'll have to do the WorkSource registration all over again

You'll likely need to update your WorkSource registration and job search plan, but you shouldn't have to start completely from scratch if your registration is still current.

This whole thread is giving me anxiety because I'm going to be in the same situation in a few weeks. The unemployment system is so complicated and stressful.

I know, right? It's hard enough being unemployed without having to navigate all these confusing rules and requirements.

For anyone following this thread, here's the bottom line: If you've worked and earned sufficient wages since your last claim began, you can file for a new unemployment claim. If not, Washington ESD will check for any available extensions. The worst case is you file and get denied, but then you know for sure where you stand.

Thank you so much for all your help! I'm going to gather my documents and file tomorrow.

just want to add that when I reapplied last year they made me do a phone interview to verify my work history and job search efforts. took about 2 weeks to schedule but wasn't too bad

Thanks for the heads up! I'll be prepared for that possibility.

One more plug for that Claimyr service - if you need to schedule or reschedule any phone interviews with Washington ESD, they can help with that too. Saved me a lot of headache when I had to change my interview time.

I'll definitely keep that in mind if I run into any issues with scheduling.

Good luck OP! The reapplication process isn't as scary as it seems once you get started. Just make sure you have all your employment info handy and be honest about everything.

Thanks everyone! This thread has been so helpful. I feel much more confident about the process now.

Update us when you hear back! I'm curious how long the whole process takes from application to first payment on a new claim.

Will do! I'll try to remember to post an update once I get through the process.

Final reminder: keep filing your weekly claims even after your benefits run out if you're waiting for a decision on your new claim application. Washington ESD can sometimes backdate payments if you're approved.

Wait, I can still file weekly claims even though my benefits ran out? I had no idea!

yep you should keep certifying weekly! learned that the hard way when I missed 3 weeks and had to go through a whole appeal process to get those payments back

Oh no! Thanks for the warning. I'll make sure to keep filing my weekly claims then.