How often can I apply for unemployment benefits in Washington - confused about reapplication rules

Thanks! So I don't have to wait a full year or anything like that? I was worried I'd applied too recently.

Nope, no waiting period. As long as you have qualifying wages and meet the other eligibility requirements, you can file a new claim.

Oh that's interesting. How do you know if you still have a balance on an old claim?

You can check your account on the Washington ESD website. It will show your benefit year end date and remaining balance if you have an active claim.

Never heard of Claimyr before. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

I was skeptical too but it actually worked for me. They basically handle the calling and waiting for you. Check out their site at claimyr.com - it explains how it works.

Anything that helps with those ridiculous wait times is worth trying. I've spent hours on hold with Washington ESD.

This is getting confusing. How do I know which base period they'll use for my situation?

Washington ESD will automatically use whichever base period gives you the higher benefit amount. You don't have to choose - they'll calculate both and use the better one.

That's reassuring to hear. Were they all completely separate claims or did any get combined?

Two were separate claims, one was a reopened claim. Depends on your benefit year dates.

Don't worry too much - if there's an issue with your application timing, Washington ESD will let you know. It's better to apply and find out than to wait and miss out on benefits you're entitled to.

Thanks, that makes me feel better about it. The whole process is just so stressful.

Construction is tough with all the seasonal ups and downs. Good to know there's no limit on applications.

Exactly. Some years I file twice, some years not at all. Just depends on work availability.

You're right about quitting - generally you can't get benefits if you quit without good cause. But if you're laid off or fired for reasons other than misconduct, you can apply for benefits each time it happens.

Ah okay, that makes sense. So it's about the reason for separation, not how often you apply.

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr - got tired of waiting on hold for hours just to check my claim status. They got me through to an agent who could actually explain what was happening with my adjudication.

Wish I had known about that option at the time. Would have saved me a lot of stress.

How much do you need in qualifying wages? Is there a minimum amount?

In Washington, you need at least $8,019 in your base period and wages in at least two quarters. There's also a requirement that your highest quarter wages be at least 1.5 times your lowest quarter wages.

That's good to know! I was worried it would be more complicated the second time.

Nope, pretty straightforward. They already had most of my information from the previous claim.

No lifetime limit in Washington. You can collect unemployment benefits as many times as you need to, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements each time.

That's a relief. I was worried there might be some kind of cap.

I know right? It's like they want to make it confusing so fewer people apply.

The information is there on their website, but it's scattered across different pages. I agree it could be organized better.

That's actually really good advice. I was overthinking this whole thing.

Exactly! Don't let uncertainty stop you from potentially getting benefits you're entitled to.

That's really helpful to know. I do seasonal work too and wasn't sure if filing every year would cause issues.

Nope, totally normal. Lots of people in seasonal industries do this.

What happens if you have an overpayment? Do they deny your new claim?

They don't deny it, but they'll usually deduct money from your weekly benefits to pay back the overpayment. You can also set up a payment plan instead.

That's encouraging! I think I'm ready to go ahead and file my claim.

Go for it! The sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits if you qualify.

How much does it cost though? Is it worth it?

I think it's worth it just for the time saved. Check out their website at claimyr.com - they explain the service and pricing there.

Perfect summary! Thanks everyone for all the helpful information. I feel much more confident about filing my claim now.

This thread was super helpful. I'm in a similar situation and this answered all my questions too.

Thank you! I'm going to file today and stop overthinking it.