How many times can I get unemployment benefits from Washington ESD?

There's no lifetime limit on unemployment claims in Washington. As long as you meet the eligibility requirements each time (enough work history, lost job through no fault of your own, etc.), you can file multiple claims. The key is having sufficient wages in your base period for each new claim.

Your friend is totally wrong about the twice limit thing. I've filed like 4 different claims over the years when I got laid off from different jobs. Each time Washington ESD approved me as long as I had the work history.

The only restrictions are the standard eligibility requirements for each claim. You need to have earned enough wages during your base period, be unemployed through no fault of your own, be able and available for work, and actively seek employment. There's no cap on how many separate benefit years you can have.

I think there might be some confusion because some states DO have limits, but Washington doesn't. I moved here from a state that had restrictions and was pleasantly surprised when I could file again after working for a year.

been on unemployment 3 times in the past 10 years and never had an issue. washington esd just wants to see you worked enough hours and earned enough money since your last claim ended

Just to clarify the wage requirements - for 2025, you need at least $7,000 in total wages during your base period AND wages in at least two quarters of your base period. Your base period is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file.

The system is designed for people to use it when they need it, not just once in their lifetime. That would be ridiculous! I know people who've collected benefits 5-6 times over their career during layoffs and economic downturns.

I had the same worry when I got laid off for the second time! Turns out Washington ESD doesn't care how many times you've used benefits before. They just look at your current situation and work history.

The Washington ESD website has all this info in their eligibility section if you want to read the official rules. But yeah, no lifetime limits or anything like that. You just need to meet the basic requirements each time you file.

@everyone having phone issues - I found this service that actually got me through to Washington ESD in like 10 minutes. It's called Claimyr and they basically call for you and get you connected to an agent. Saved me hours of trying to get through myself.

Just want to add that even if you've collected benefits multiple times, you still need to do all the same job search requirements and weekly certifications. Washington ESD doesn't cut you any slack just because you've used the system before.

The real question isn't how many times you can get it, but whether you'll actually qualify based on your work history. I've seen people get denied on their second or third claim because they hadn't worked enough between claims.

I think the confusion comes from some of the federal programs during COVID that had different rules. Regular state unemployment benefits have always been available multiple times as long as you meet eligibility.

Bottom line - no limit on how many times you can collect unemployment in Washington. Just need to meet the eligibility requirements each time. Your friend was definitely wrong about the lifetime limit thing.