ESD reapplication after benefit year ends - different process than first-time claim?

i reapplied after my benefit year ended last month. you need to have worked enough in your base year to qualify again. those odd jobs prob wont be enough honestly. they look at ur past 18 months minus the most recent quarter i think. the system will let u apply but you might get denied

To qualify for a new benefit year, you need to have worked in at least 680 hours during your base year (which is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file). Since you're filing in December 2025, your base year would be July 2024 through June 2025. If you've been on unemployment most of that time with just a few odd jobs, you probably won't have enough hours to qualify for a regular claim. You can start the application process a few days before your benefit year ends, but it won't be processed until your current benefit year is officially over. It's essentially the same application process as your first claim - you'll need to provide all your employment history again.

Unfortunately, yes - time spent on unemployment doesn't count toward the 680 hours needed for a new claim. It's designed this way because unemployment insurance is meant to be temporary while you find new employment. The system expects you to have found at least some work during your benefit year to qualify for a new claim. One possibility to look into: if you worked in another state during your base year, you might be able to file a combined wage claim that includes work from multiple states.

I went through this EXACT situation last year!!! Applied for a new claim after my benefit year ended and got DENIED because I didn't have enough hours. It was a NIGHTMARE trying to figure out what to do next. The ESD website is SO confusing and I couldn't get anyone on the phone for THREE WEEKS!!! Have you tried WorkSource? They have some emergency assistance programs sometimes. Also check with DSHS for possible cash assistance while you're looking for work. Wish I had better news but the system is BROKEN for people who can't find work after their UI runs out!!!

After spending hours trying to reach ESD about this same issue last month, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual agent. They connected me to ESD in about 30 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own. The agent confirmed everything people are saying here - you need those 680 hours in your base year to qualify again. Their video demo shows exactly how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Even though I didn't qualify for a new regular claim, the agent helped me understand what other assistance programs I might be eligible for. Definitely worth talking to someone directly rather than just applying online and waiting to get denied.

It worked for me - it's just a service that keeps calling ESD for you until they get through. Then they connect you to an agent. I was skeptical too but I was desperate after weeks of trying.

To clarify some important points about reapplying after a benefit year ends: 1. You can submit your application up to 7 days before your benefit year officially ends, but ESD won't process it until your current benefit year is over 2. For your new claim, you'll need 680 hours of work in your base year, which is defined as the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to application 3. If you don't qualify for a new UI claim, you should immediately contact DSHS to apply for other assistance programs like Basic Food and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 4. WorkSource services are still available to you even if you're not receiving unemployment benefits - they offer job search assistance, retraining programs, and can sometimes connect you with emergency assistance 5. Make sure to keep your job search records even after benefits end, as they may be required for some assistance programs Unfortunately, there are no federal extensions available in 2025 like we had during the pandemic, so exploring all assistance options is critical if you haven't met the 680-hour requirement.

Another thing nobody mentioned - when your benefit year ends, that doesn't mean your ESD eServices account goes away! Keep checking it and make sure your contact info stays updated in case there are any messages or notifications about other programs you might qualify for. My cousin ignored her account after benefits ended and missed out on some retraining opportunity.

so wait im confused about this base year thing. if my benefit year ends 1/15/26 and i apply for a new claim on 1/16/26, what exactly is my base year? which months? the esd website explanation makes my head hurt

So after reading all your responses, I'm going to: 1. Apply for a new claim when my benefit year ends (but not expect much) 2. Contact DSHS about emergency assistance programs 3. Step up my WorkSource participation and ask about retraining options 4. Keep perfect records of my job search activities 5. Make sure my ESD account stays updated This isn't the news I was hoping for, but at least I'm not caught by surprise in December. I appreciate everyone taking the time to explain how this works. The ESD website should really be clearer about this stuff!