ESD waiting week requirement when reopening existing unemployment claim?
I was laid off in February and collected unemployment for about 6 weeks before finding a temp job that lasted 3 months. Now I'm out of work again and just reopened my existing claim through eServices. Do I have to serve another waiting week when reopening a claim that was already established this year? The ESD website is super confusing about this. My previous claim hasn't expired (still within the benefit year), but I'm not sure if I'll get paid for this first week back on unemployment or if I have to wait again. Anyone gone through this recently?
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Zainab Mahmoud
No, you don't have to serve another waiting week if you're reopening a claim within the same benefit year. The waiting week is only required once per benefit year (which lasts 52 weeks from when you first filed). When you reopen your claim, you should receive benefits for the first week you claim, assuming you meet all other eligibility requirements like job search activities.
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Carlos Mendoza
•Thank you so much! That's a huge relief. I was really stressing about missing a week of benefits right now when rent is due. I did complete my 3 job search activities so hopefully everything processes smoothly!
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Ava Williams
i had this same question last month!! got laid off twice this yr too ugh
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Carlos Mendoza
•Was your experience the same? Did you get paid for your first week when you reopened your claim?
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Ava Williams
•yep got paid for the first week no problem, didnt have to wait again
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Raj Gupta
BE CAREFUL about this! When I reopened my claim in 2025 they STILL made me serve a waiting week even though it was in the same benefit year. When I called they said it was because I had worked full-time for over 4 consecutive weeks which reset something in their system!!! The ESD reps gave me 3 different answers and it took FOREVER to get it fixed. They finally paid me for that week but it took 6 WEEKS and multiple calls!!!
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Zainab Mahmoud
•That's not the standard policy, but unfortunately ESD agents sometimes apply rules incorrectly. The official policy is one waiting week per benefit year, regardless of how many times you reopen a claim. The full-time work for 4+ weeks might affect other aspects of your claim, but it shouldn't trigger a new waiting week within the same benefit year.
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Raj Gupta
•Well they sure ACTED like it was policy when I called!!! Maybe I just got unlucky with which agents I talked to. The unemployment system is so BROKEN.
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Carlos Mendoza
•That's concerning. I worked the temp job for about 13 weeks (full-time), so I hope I don't run into the same issue. Did you eventually get paid for that waiting week?
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Raj Gupta
•Yes but only after WEEKS of calling and arguing with them. Such a nightmare.
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Lena Müller
does anyone know if the waiting week requirment changes if you moved from a diff state? i had unemployment in oregon but now im in washington and wondering if i have to do the waiting week again or if its transferable
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TechNinja
•That's a completely different situation. If you're filing a new claim in Washington after having a claim in Oregon, you'll need to file an interstate claim. You would be subject to Washington's waiting week requirement since it's technically a new claim in a new state. Each state has its own rules about waiting weeks - Washington has one, but some states have eliminated theirs.
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Keisha Thompson
When I reopened my claim after a short job, I didn't have to redo the waiting week. But just make sure you report ALL earnings from your temp job correctly on your application when reopening. I messed this up and it caused a huge headache with an overpayment notice later! They're really strict about reporting accurate employment history when reopening claims.
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Carlos Mendoza
•Thanks for the tip! I made sure to include all my temp earnings when I reopened the claim. Did you have any delay in payments when you reopened, or did they start right away?
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Keisha Thompson
•Mine started right away with no delay. Just got my first payment 2 days after filing my weekly claim. But that was back in March so things might have changed.
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TechNinja
I work with unemployment claims regularly, and I can confirm you do NOT serve another waiting week when reopening an existing claim during the same benefit year. The one-waiting-week-per-benefit-year rule is clearly stated in RCW 50.20.010(1)(c). However, be aware that if you earned enough during your temporary job to establish a new claim with a higher weekly benefit amount, ESD might suggest you file a new claim instead of reopening the old one. In that case, you would serve a new waiting week, but it might be worth it for the higher benefit amount. This is uncommon though, and would require significant earnings during your temporary work period.
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Carlos Mendoza
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! My temp job wasn't particularly high-paying, so I doubt I'd qualify for a higher benefit amount with a new claim. I'll stick with reopening my existing claim to avoid serving another waiting week.
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