How many times can you go on unemployment in Washington ESD - is there a limit?

That's a relief! I was really stressed about this. Do they look at your previous claims when reviewing new ones?

They'll see your claim history but as long as each separation was legitimate and you earned enough wages between claims, you should be fine.

Good to know I'm not alone in this situation. How do you check if you have enough work credits?

You can see your wage history when you file your claim. Washington ESD will tell you if you don't have enough wages in your base period.

How does that work exactly? I've been trying to call for weeks about my claim status.

They basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when they get through to a real person. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Sounds too good to be true but if it actually works that would be amazing. The phone system is impossible.

Thanks, that makes me feel better about filing again.

All my separations were layoffs due to lack of work, so I should be good there.

What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? Asking for a friend who's dealing with a hostile work environment.

Good cause includes things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, significant changes to job duties or pay. Your friend should document everything before quitting.

I feel your pain. Have you tried calling right when they open at 8am? That's usually the best time.

Tried that multiple times. Still get busy signals or get disconnected after waiting an hour.

That's exactly why I started using Claimyr. Takes all the frustration out of trying to reach them.

Perfect, thank you for the clear answer. I was really worried about this myth my coworker told me.

Wait, I heard you can only collect for 26 weeks total in your lifetime. Is that not true?

No, that's not correct. The 26 weeks is per claim period, not lifetime. You can have multiple claim periods as long as you qualify.

Thank you for the professional perspective. That's exactly my situation - seasonal layoffs in construction.

What if you worked for the same company multiple times? Does that affect anything?

As long as each separation meets the requirements and you earned sufficient wages, working for the same employer multiple times shouldn't be an issue.

15 years! That definitely proves there's no lifetime limit. Thanks for sharing your experience.

yep, its just part of working in construction unfortunately. feast or famine industry

Good point. Extended benefits and federal programs during emergencies have different rules than regular state UI.

That might be where the confusion comes from. Thanks for clarifying the difference.

8 times! That's definitely proof there's no limit. I feel much better about filing my third claim now.

What kind of seasonal work was your brother doing? Just curious since I'm in landscaping and face the same issues.

He does roofing work. Gets laid off every winter when the weather gets bad and work slows down.

Good to know they might ask more questions. I'll make sure to have all my employment documentation ready.

Yes, keep records of your layoff notices, final paystubs, and any correspondence with employers. Makes the process smoother.

Right, I've worked full-time between each of my previous claims, so that shouldn't be an issue.

How much do you need to earn between claims? Is there a specific dollar amount?

It depends on your base period wages. Washington ESD calculates this automatically when you file your claim.

Good to have that confirmed directly from Washington ESD. Thanks for sharing what you learned.

How much does Claimyr cost? Might be worth it to get clear answers instead of guessing.

I thought it was worth it to get through quickly instead of wasting days trying to call. Check their website for current info.

That's really reassuring. Sounds like the process doesn't change even with multiple claims.

Nope, same process every time. Just make sure you answer all the questions honestly and completely.

Right, that makes sense. It's about current eligibility, not past claim history.

What exactly is the base period? I keep seeing that term but don't understand it.

It's the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. Washington ESD looks at your wages during that period to determine if you qualify.

Yeah, he might have been thinking of different rules or mixed up information. Good thing I asked here instead of just taking his word for it.

Always good to verify these things. There's a lot of misinformation floating around about unemployment rules.

4 times in one year! That's rough but good to know Washington ESD handled it normally.

yeah it was a terrible year for job stability but unemployment helped me get through it

Thank you everyone for all the helpful responses! I feel much more confident about filing my claim now. Really appreciate this community.

You're welcome! That's what we're here for. Good luck with your claim filing.