Need to requalify for ESD - is it 6x previous weekly benefit amount?

You're partially right, but it's actually 6 times your weekly benefit amount AND you need to have worked at least 680 hours in your base year. The 6x rule applies when you're trying to open a new claim after your benefit year ends. ESD uses this to make sure you actually returned to work for a meaningful period before collecting benefits again. So yes, if your weekly benefit was $487, you'd need to have earned at least $2,922 since your last claim ended, plus meet that 680 hour requirement during your new base year (which is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file).

i think ur getting the rules mixed up? tha 6x thing is for when u have a break in ur claim not a whole new benefit year. when ur benefit year ends u just need the 680 hours in ur base year which is different. i filed a new claim last month and didnt have to prove the 6x thing just the hours. maybe call and check?

I just went through this exact situation in January 2025. The 6x rule is definitely correct, but there's another requirement most people forget about - you also need to have worked AND earned wages in at least two quarters of your base year. So even if you meet the 680 hours and the 6x your previous weekly benefit amount, if all that work was in just one calendar quarter, you'd still be denied. You should also know that if your hours were "cut" rather than you being fully laid off, you might qualify for partial unemployment even if you don't meet the requirements for a whole new claim. The partial unemployment rules are different.

THE ESD SYSTEM IS GARBAGE!!! I met all those requirements last year - the 6x thing, the 680 hours, everything - and they STILL denied my claim saying I "voluntarily quit" when I was CLEARLY laid off!!! Had to wait 10 WEEKS for an appeal hearing only for them to finally admit they were wrong. By then I was already behind on rent and had to move in with my parents. Don't count on getting benefits even if you qualify!!!

Have you tried calling ESD directly to confirm? I know it can be nearly impossible to get through to them, but I recently had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a system that holds your place in line and calls you when an ESD agent is available. Saved me hours of redial frustration. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Regarding your question - yes, the 6x rule is correct but as others mentioned, you also need the 680 hours in your base year. When I called, the agent was able to look at my work history and tell me exactly when I'd be eligible to file again.

My sister works for ESD (not speaking officially obvs) and she says ppl get confused about this all the time. The 6x rule is real but its actually about "requalifying" after you've already received benefits in your benefit year and had a break in your claim. For a totally new benefit year after your old one expired, its all about the 680 hrs in your base year. Also if your hours got reduced, def look into partial unemployment! You can sometimes get benefits if you're working part time depending on how much you earn compared to your weekly benefit amount.

Thanks everyone for the responses! Just to update - I called ESD (used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and got through in about 35 minutes). The agent confirmed I need BOTH the 680 hours AND earnings of at least 6x my previous weekly benefit amount. She checked my records and said I've earned enough to meet the 6x requirement but I'm still about 120 hours short of the 680 hours. So I'll need to keep working for another month or so before I can file a new claim. She also said I might qualify for partial unemployment now since my hours were cut significantly, but I'd need to file a new claim to find out for sure. I'm going to stick it out a bit longer to hit that 680 hour mark first.