Can you reapply for unemployment after it runs out - Washington ESD questions
My unemployment benefits are about to run out next week after 26 weeks and I'm still looking for work. I know there used to be extended benefits during COVID but I'm not sure what the current situation is. Can I file a new claim with Washington ESD or do I need to wait a certain amount of time? I'm really stressed about this because I haven't found anything yet and need to know my options. Has anyone been through this recently?
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Theodore Nelson
You can't just reapply immediately. Washington ESD requires you to have worked and earned enough wages to qualify for a new benefit year. You need to have earned at least $3,850 in covered employment during your base period.
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Carmella Fromis
•I haven't worked since I got laid off 6 months ago, so I guess I don't qualify for a new claim then?
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Theodore Nelson
•Correct, you'd need new qualifying wages from work after your original claim started to be eligible for a new benefit year.
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AaliyahAli
Check if you're eligible for Extended Benefits (EB) first before worrying about reapplying. Washington ESD automatically notifies you if EB is available, but it depends on the state's unemployment rate.
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Carmella Fromis
•How do I know if EB is currently available? I haven't gotten any notice from Washington ESD about it.
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AaliyahAli
•You can check the Washington ESD website or call them. EB triggers on and off based on unemployment statistics, so it's not always available.
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Ellie Simpson
I was in the same boat last year. Couldn't get through to Washington ESD on the phone for weeks to ask about my options. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected to an actual agent who explained everything. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.
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Carmella Fromis
•Is that legit? I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point but don't want to get scammed.
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Ellie Simpson
•Yeah it's real, just helps you get through to Washington ESD faster. I was skeptical too but it actually worked.
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Arjun Kurti
•I've heard of this too, might be worth trying if you can't get through the regular way.
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Raúl Mora
The key thing to understand is that regular UI benefits in Washington state are limited to 26 weeks in most situations. Extended Benefits only kick in when unemployment rates are high enough, which hasn't been the case lately. Without new qualifying wages, you can't start a fresh claim.
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Carmella Fromis
•So basically I'm screwed unless I find work or the unemployment rate goes up enough to trigger EB?
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Raúl Mora
•Unfortunately yes, unless you have other income sources or qualify for other assistance programs.
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Margot Quinn
This is so stressful!! I'm in week 24 and panicking about what happens next. The job market is still tough out there.
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Evelyn Kim
•Have you looked into WorkSource for additional job search help? They sometimes have programs that can extend your search resources.
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Margot Quinn
•I registered with WorkSource but haven't used their services much. Maybe I should look into that more.
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Arjun Kurti
Wait, I thought you could always reapply after benefits run out? This is news to me.
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Raúl Mora
•That's a common misconception. You need new qualifying wages from work to start a new benefit year. Can't just reapply because your benefits ended.
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Arjun Kurti
•Wow, good to know. Glad I found work before mine ran out then.
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Carmella Fromis
UPDATE: I called Washington ESD using that Claimyr thing someone mentioned and actually got through! The agent confirmed I can't reapply without new wages and EB isn't currently available in Washington. At least I know for sure now.
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Ellie Simpson
•Glad it worked for you too! At least now you have definitive answers instead of guessing.
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Diego Fisher
•What did they say about other options? Any suggestions for assistance programs?
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AaliyahAli
For anyone else reading this, make sure you understand the difference between benefit year end and benefit exhaustion. Even if your benefit year hasn't ended, if you've used all 26 weeks, you can't get more UI without qualifying for EB or having a new claim.
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Henrietta Beasley
•Can you explain that more? I'm confused about benefit year vs weeks used.
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AaliyahAli
•Your benefit year lasts 52 weeks from when you first filed. But you only get up to 26 weeks of payments within that year (unless EB is available).
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Evelyn Kim
Check if you qualify for SNAP or other assistance programs while you continue job searching. Washington has resources beyond just unemployment benefits.
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Carmella Fromis
•I'll look into that. Never thought I'd need food stamps but here we are.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•No shame in getting help when you need it. These programs exist for situations like this.
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Diego Fisher
The whole system seems designed to make you give up. 26 weeks isn't enough time to find decent work in some fields.
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Faith Kingston
•Tell me about it. I'm in tech and the hiring process alone takes months sometimes.
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Raúl Mora
•The 26-week limit has been standard for decades, though some states have shorter periods. It's meant to be temporary assistance, not long-term support.
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Emma Johnson
I exhausted my benefits 2 months ago and had to take a part-time retail job just to survive. It sucks but at least I'm earning some wages now.
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Carmella Fromis
•Are those wages enough to qualify you for a new claim eventually?
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Emma Johnson
•Not yet, but if I keep working I might qualify for reduced benefits later. Better than nothing.
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Liam Brown
This thread is making me realize I should probably start preparing for when my benefits end in a few weeks. Thanks for all the info.
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AaliyahAli
•Definitely plan ahead. Look into all your options before your benefits actually stop.
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Olivia Garcia
For what it's worth, I had to use Claimyr twice to get through to Washington ESD about different issues. Worth the convenience when you need answers fast.
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Noah Lee
•How much does it cost? Can't afford much right now.
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Olivia Garcia
•I don't remember the exact amount but it was reasonable considering how much time it saved me. Check their site for current info.
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Ava Hernandez
The real question is why Washington ESD makes it so hard to get basic information about your options. Shouldn't this stuff be clearer?
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Isabella Martin
•Agreed. The website has some info but it's buried in legal language that's hard to understand.
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Raúl Mora
•The basic rules are actually clearly stated on the Washington ESD website, but I agree the presentation could be more user-friendly.
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Elijah Jackson
Thanks everyone for the responses. This is really helpful information that I wish I had known earlier in my claim.
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Sophia Miller
•Same here. Would have changed how I approached my job search if I knew there was a hard cutoff.
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Mason Davis
Just to add - if you do find work and then get laid off again, you might be able to reopen your existing claim if it's still within your benefit year and you haven't exhausted all 26 weeks.
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Carmella Fromis
•That's good to know. So if I find temporary work and then lose it, I might still have options?
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Mason Davis
•Potentially yes, but you'd need to check with Washington ESD about your specific situation and remaining balance.
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Mia Rodriguez
This whole thread should be required reading for anyone starting unemployment benefits. Wish I'd known this stuff upfront.
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Jacob Lewis
•Seriously. The orientation they make you do doesn't really cover what happens when benefits end.
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