How often can you apply for unemployment benefits with Washington ESD?

Do you know what the minimum wage requirement is? I worked part-time for most of last year so I'm not sure if I'll qualify.

You need at least $4,200 in wages during your base period, with wages in at least two quarters. If you don't qualify for a new claim, you might be able to get an extension on your old one.

That's reassuring, thanks! Did you ever have issues with adjudication when filing multiple claims?

nah not really, just had to do the usual job search stuff and report any work

That's a relief! I worked for about 8 months at the new job so I should definitely meet the wage requirements. Do I file online through the same SecureAccess Washington portal?

Yes, same portal at secure.esd.wa.gov. Make sure to report all your wages from the new employer when you file the initial claim.

How much does that cost? I'm already tight on money.

It's worth checking out their site at claimyr.com. The time I saved not sitting on hold for hours was valuable to me, especially when I needed answers about my claim status.

I might try that if I can't get through the regular way. The phone lines are always busy.

What happens if you don't qualify for a new claim? Are there other options?

If you don't have enough wages for a new claim, they might put you on an extension of your old claim if there are any weeks left. You'd still need to meet all the other requirements like job searching.

Good to know! I was worried there might be some kind of lifetime limit or something.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I discovered it when I was having the same problem getting through to Washington ESD. It's at claimyr.com and basically gets you connected to an actual agent without the endless hold times. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

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

It's legit - I was skeptical too but it actually got me through to Washington ESD in about 20 minutes instead of the usual hours of waiting. Really saved my sanity during the whole claims process.

How do I check if there are any issues from my old claim? I never got any overpayment notices but want to be sure.

Log into your SecureAccess Washington account and check your claim history. Any overpayments or outstanding issues should show up there.

That's confusing - why wouldn't they look at my most recent wages from 2024?

They use completed quarters to ensure all wage data is available from employers. You can request the alternate base period if your regular base period doesn't have enough wages, which would use the most recent four quarters.

This is why I hate dealing with unemployment - too many confusing rules and time periods!

What kind of problems did it cause? I'm worried about messing something up.

It created a gap in my benefits and they had to do extra verification. Just don't wait - file immediately when your year expires.

This is good advice. The system doesn't automatically roll you over so you have to take action.

Actually that might work out better for me since I was making more money at my recent job than the retail position.

I did work a temporary job for about 6 weeks. Would that help my case?

Definitely! Any wages you earned while on your previous claim can help you qualify for a new one. Make sure to report all your work history accurately.

agreed, it's way too complicated for something so important

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr - I got tired of trying to navigate all the confusion on my own.

Do I need to keep filing weekly claims during the transition or can I stop until the new claim is approved?

You should keep filing weekly claims continuously. If there's a gap, you might lose benefits for those weeks even if your new claim gets approved.

Did they ask any extra questions since you'd filed before?

Not really, just the standard questions about why I was unemployed and if I was able and available for work.

Do I need to register with WorkSourceWA again or does my previous registration carry over?

Your WorkSourceWA registration should still be active, but you'll need to update your resume and job search preferences for your new claim.

Is it still 3 per week? I thought I heard they changed it.

It's been 3 per week since they went back to normal after COVID. You need to log them in the system and be ready to provide details if asked.

Seriously try Claimyr if you're having phone issues. I mentioned it earlier but it really does work for getting through to Washington ESD agents. Way less frustrating than trying to call directly.

might have to look into that, thanks

There's no waiting period requirement in Washington state as long as you meet the wage and work requirements. You might be thinking of a different situation or possibly had an issue with your previous claim that needed to be resolved first.

maybe that was it, I had some confusion about reporting my part-time work

LOL good luck getting through. I've been trying for days.

That's when services like Claimyr come in handy - they help you actually connect with an agent instead of sitting on hold forever.

That's good to hear. I remember the website being really slow and buggy when I filed my first claim.

Good point - I became unemployed last Friday so I should file this week.

Exactly, and remember that your first week is typically a waiting week where you won't receive payment, but you still need to file your weekly claim.

Yes, work search requirements are still in place. You need to keep detailed records of at least 3 job search activities per week and be prepared to provide them if requested during an audit.

ugh great, more paperwork

Did you ever have to go through adjudication for any of your claims?

Only once when there was a question about why I left one of my jobs. It took about 3 weeks to resolve but everything worked out fine once I provided the documentation they needed.

That's true, but generally it's better to file as soon as you're unemployed rather than trying to time it perfectly. You can always request the alternate base period if needed.

That's scary - how did you get it resolved?

Had to appeal and provide documentation from my employer. Took forever but eventually got it straightened out. Just make sure you have proof of your layoff when you file.

This is another situation where Claimyr could help - if you need to reach Washington ESD to clarify employment separation issues, it's way easier than trying to get through their regular phone lines.

Really? That orientation was so boring the first time around.

You only need to redo WorkSourceWA orientation if it's been more than a year since you completed it, or if there have been significant program changes.

Thanks, that's reassuring! I feel much more confident about filing now.

You typically file in the state where you worked most recently, but with multi-state wages it can get complicated. Washington ESD can help determine the best approach based on your specific situation.

Guess I'll need to call them then... here we go with the phone adventures again

Perfect summary! Thanks everyone for all the helpful information. I'm going to file my claim this week.

Good luck with your claim! Feel free to come back if you run into any issues during the process.

Should I include wages from when I was on my previous unemployment claim?

Yes, include everything. They'll determine what counts toward your base period calculation.

Will I get paid for those processing weeks if my claim is approved?

Yes, if you're eligible and you filed your weekly claims, you'll get backpay for the weeks your claim was processing.

Don't stress too much. The system is designed to help people who need it. Just be honest and thorough with your application.

I feel the same way! But everyone here has been really helpful explaining things.

I think I'm going to try calling one more time on my own first, but good to know there are other options.

Yeah having backup options is smart. The phone system can be really frustrating.

Perfect, that's exactly what I needed to know. Thanks everyone for all the help!

Good luck with your new claim! Hope it goes smoothly for you.

That's really good to know. I was worried if I didn't qualify for a new claim I'd be out of luck.

Exactly. There are usually multiple options available, you just have to know what to ask for.

Same here! This thread was super helpful.

That's what these forums are for. Good luck to everyone dealing with unemployment claims!

Will definitely keep that in mind. Thanks for all the detailed explanations!

yeah continuity is key. don't let there be any gaps in your filing

Definitely. Sharing experiences and knowledge makes it easier for everyone.

Agreed! I'll probably bookmark this thread for future reference.