How long after unemployment can you file again - Washington ESD waiting period?

That's a relief! I worked for about 8 months so I should have enough wages. Do I file a new claim or reopen my old one?

You'll need to file a completely new claim since your benefit year has expired. The system will automatically use your most recent wages to calculate your new weekly benefit amount.

Good to know! Did your benefit amount change much from your previous claim?

mine actually went up a little because I was making more at my new job

I've been trying to call Washington ESD for two weeks to ask about this exact thing but can never get through! The phone system is impossible.

Yeah the phone lines are brutal. I actually found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to ESD agents automatically. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Interesting, I'll check that out. At this point I'll try anything to actually talk to someone at ESD.

Your coworker might be thinking of other states or maybe confusing the benefit year length with waiting periods. In Washington, you can file a new claim anytime as long as you've worked since your last claim.

Oh that makes sense. I was worried I'd have to wait until next year to file again if I lose my current job.

Tell me about it. Why can't they just have a simple FAQ that explains this stuff clearly?

Because then people might actually get their benefits without jumping through hoops!

Thanks for the specific numbers! That helps me understand if I'll qualify.

This is super helpful info. I'm bookmarking this thread in case I need it later.

How long did it take for your new claim to get approved?

About 2 weeks, though I think it depends on whether they need to verify your employment or not.

You can definitely file online through the SecureAccess Washington portal. It's much easier than trying to call and wait on hold for hours.

awesome thanks, I was dreading having to call

How much does that service cost? I'm desperate to talk to someone at ESD about my claim.

I think it's worth it considering how much time it saves. Check out their website at claimyr.com - they explain everything there.

I'm skeptical of paying for something that should be free, but if it actually works...

Good point about the waiting week. I forgot about that part.

Yeah the waiting week catches a lot of people off guard, especially if they're used to getting benefits right away from their previous claim.

Good luck! The process should be straightforward since you've done it before.

Thanks! Hoping my new benefit amount will be higher since I was making more money this time.

What are the current job search requirements? I remember having to log activities but I'm not sure if that's still the same.

You need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a log of your activities. Some people are exempt but most claimants have to do this.

The WorkSourceWA website has all the details about job search requirements. It's actually not as bad as it sounds once you get into a routine.

You're thinking of disqualification periods, not waiting periods between claims. If you quit without good cause or get fired for misconduct, you might face a disqualification. But that's different from filing a new claim after your benefit year ends.

Ah that makes sense. I was getting confused between the different types of waiting periods.

Right? Like a simple notification that says 'your benefit year ended, here's how to file a new claim if you become unemployed again.

Exactly! Would save everyone so much stress and confusion.

You're welcome! Online filing is definitely the way to go. Good luck with your new claim!

Hope everything goes smoothly for you. This thread helped me understand the process better too.

I'll post an update once I get through the filing process in case it helps anyone else in the future.