How many times can you get unemployment benefits in Washington - is there a lifetime limit?

That's a relief! So it's based on your work history for each individual claim period, not cumulative?

Exactly. Each claim looks at your wages from the past 18 months to determine eligibility and benefit amount. Previous claims don't count against you.

Good to know! How long do you typically need to work between claims?

depends on your wages but usually at least 6 months of decent work to build up enough base period wages for a new claim

What do you mean by benefit year expiring? I thought once you used up your weeks, you could file again if you got laid off from a new job?

Your benefit year runs for 52 weeks from when you first filed, regardless of whether you used all your weeks. You generally can't start a new claim during that period unless you have a new qualifying separation.

Never heard of Claimyr before - does it actually work for getting through to Washington ESD?

Yeah, it got me connected within an hour when I'd been trying to call for days. Worth it just for the peace of mind of talking to an actual person.

Interesting, I might try that. I've been on hold for literally hours trying to get through to ask about my situation.

How do I check if I have enough qualifying wages for a new claim?

You can check your quarterly wage reports through your SecureAccess Washington account. You need wages in at least two quarters of your base period and total wages of at least $3,850.

Right? I was convinced there had to be some kind of limit. Glad we're both learning something new!

It's a common misconception. The unemployment system is designed to help people through temporary job loss, not penalize them for needing it multiple times.

That's actually not an official policy. Job search requirements are the same regardless of how many previous claims you've had. Your friend might have been selected for random audit.

maybe but it seemed suspicious timing to me. either way good to keep detailed records of job search activities

That's exactly why it's important to understand the system. Unemployment insurance is there as a safety net - you shouldn't avoid using it when you legitimately need it.

Same here! I've been so worried about 'saving' my unemployment for when I really need it. Turns out that's not how it works at all.

What are the current work search requirements? I know they changed after COVID.

You need to make at least 3 job search activities per week and keep records. Can include applying for jobs, networking, job fairs, etc. Check WorkSourceWA for approved activities.

Could you clarify what you mean by additional requirements? I'm not aware of any official policy that treats repeat filers differently.

I might be thinking of situations where someone has a pattern of short-term employment. That could trigger questions about availability for work or job search efforts.

That's good to hear from an official source. I might check out Claimyr myself - been trying to get through to ask about my own situation for weeks.

Yeah, getting actual confirmation from Washington ESD staff is way better than guessing based on what we think we know.

Good point. I've been laid off all three times so that shouldn't be an issue, but I'll make sure I understand all the requirements.

Exactly. Each claim is evaluated independently, so make sure you're prepared to document your eligibility.

Glad this helped you too! It's crazy how many of us were worried about the same thing.

That's why these discussions are so valuable. Lots of misinformation gets passed around about unemployment benefits.

That's really good advice. I made that mistake on my first layoff and lost a week of benefits.

Exactly! And there's no penalty for filing a claim you end up not needing. Better safe than sorry.

Each claim is processed independently, so previous claims don't speed up adjudication. However, if you have a clear history of legitimate layoffs, it might help your case if there are any questions.

Makes sense. I guess consistency in your work history probably helps show you're not gaming the system.

You're welcome! I'm so glad this helped other people too. Seems like this is a common worry that doesn't need to be.

Definitely. Now I can focus on job searching instead of stressing about whether I'm 'allowed' to file for benefits.

Seems like several people have had good experiences with it. I'll definitely keep it in mind if I need to reach Washington ESD.

Yeah, saved me hours of sitting on hold. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get clear answers.

5 times! That really drives home the point that there's no limit. Thanks for sharing your experience.

No problem. I used to worry about it too until I realized I was stressing over nothing. Focus on finding your next job, not on whether you're 'allowed' to get help while you look.

Agreed! This turned out way more informative than I expected when I posted the question.

That's what makes these forums valuable - real experiences and actual facts instead of rumors and misinformation.

Exactly. Now I feel confident about the process instead of anxious about imaginary limits.