How many times can you file for unemployment a year in Washington ESD?

That's a relief! I was worried there was some kind of yearly cap. Do I need to wait a certain amount of time between claims?

No waiting period required as long as you meet the wage requirements for a new benefit year. Your previous claim ended and you've been working, so you're good.

wow three times? that's rough, hope things are more stable for you now

Yeah it's been a crazy few years with all the industry changes. But Washington ESD has been pretty consistent about processing legitimate claims.

Did your benefit amount change between the two claims? I'm wondering if the 6 months of work will affect my weekly benefit amount.

Yes, my weekly benefit amount was actually higher the second time because they included the wages from the job I had between claims. It's calculated on your most recent base period wages.

Never heard of that service before. Did it actually work for getting through?

Yeah it worked great! I was skeptical at first but got connected to a real Washington ESD agent within like 20 minutes instead of the usual hours of busy signals.

That sounds too good to be true but I might check it out if I have trouble reaching them when I file.

I made about $32,000 during those 6 months, working full time at $18/hour. Should that be enough?

That should definitely be enough for a new claim. Washington requires $1,550 in your highest quarter and total wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter. You're well above that.

The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in November 2025, your base period would be July 2024 through June 2025. It includes wages from ALL jobs during that period, not just your most recent one.

oh ok that makes more sense. so if i worked multiple jobs during that time period they all count toward my eligibility?

Exactly! All covered wages from all employers during your base period count toward meeting the requirements.

What kind of seasonal work? I'm in construction and wondering if I'll run into the same pattern.

Landscaping and snow removal. Very weather dependent so unemployment helps bridge the gaps between seasons.

What do you mean by scrutinize more closely? Should I be worried about anything specific?

Just that they might ask for more documentation about your job separation or work search activities. Nothing to worry about if everything is legitimate.

How do you calculate if you have enough wages? Is there a tool on the Washington ESD website?

You need at least $1,550 in your highest earning quarter and total base period wages of at least 1.5 times that highest quarter amount. I don't think they have a calculator but the math isn't too hard.

I hear you on the frustration but in my experience Washington ESD has been pretty fair about multiple filings. It's the employers causing the instability, not the system.

Maybe you've been lucky but I've had nothing but problems every single time I file. Hours on hold just to get basic information.

How much does something like that cost? Seems like you shouldn't have to pay extra just to talk to unemployment.

I think it was pretty reasonable considering how much time it saved me. Better than taking time off work to sit on hold for hours.

Good advice! I've been keeping my pay stubs from this current job just in case. Should I keep anything else?

Keep your hire and termination letters, any layoff notices, and definitely all your pay stubs. Also document your job search activities if you end up on unemployment.

This! I felt guilty filing a second time but then realized I've been paying into this system for years. It's insurance, not charity.

Thanks for saying that. I was definitely feeling some guilt about potentially filing again so soon.

No guilt needed! You work, you pay taxes, you're entitled to benefits when you meet the requirements.

It's definitely going to be a layoff - they're closing our whole department. So I should be good on that front.

Perfect, layoffs are the clearest case for unemployment eligibility. Just make sure you get documentation from your employer about the layoff.

Would the new weekly amount be based on my higher wages from the recent job? That could actually work out better for me.

Possibly! Your new base period will include more recent wages, so if you were making more at your recent job, your weekly benefit could increase.

That's exactly my timeline! Good to know someone else has been through the same thing successfully.

Yeah, turns out it's more common than I thought. The agent said they see people file multiple times per year pretty regularly, especially in industries with high turnover.