Resuming ESD unemployment after temporary work - do I restart my claim or just file weekly again?

You'll need to reactivate your claim when you become unemployed again. Since it's only been 3 weeks, you won't have to file a completely new claim - just log into your eServices account, click on 'Restart my claim' (it should be on your dashboard), and answer the questions. Make sure to do this during the first week you're laid off again. After that, you'll start filing weekly claims like before. As for getting paid right away, there is no waiting week if you're reactivating an existing claim within the same benefit year. You should receive payment after your first weekly claim is processed, assuming no issues come up.

i did this last year, just hit restart claim button when ur laid off again, super easy, but DONT DO IT until ur actually not working again or ESD will be mad lol

Be careful when you restart! My coworker messed up answering one of those questions when she reactivated and ended up having to call in to fix it which took FOREVER. Make sure you read each question carefully!

I was in almost EXACTLY your situation in January!!! The restart claim process asks about your work history since you last filed, so have your dates ready and the employer info. You'll answer why you're unemployed again (temporary layoff) and give the expected return date if you have one. One thing that tripped me up - they asked about all earnings during those weeks you worked, so dig up your pay stubs if possible. I guessed on mine and ended up with a messssss where they thought I was trying to claim for weeks I actually worked!! Took WEEKS to straighten out. BTW if your claim is older than 4 weeks inactive you might need to do a full restart vs. just resuming weekly claims, the system will tell you which path to take.

Frustrating going back and forth between working and not working, isn't it? Washington state makes this process more complicated than it needs to be. When you restart your claim, you'll also need to re-register with WorkSource and start doing your job search activities again (3 per week). And just so you know - if you have ANY trouble getting through to ESD when restarting your claim (many people do), I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual human at ESD in about 20 minutes when I was stuck in restart limbo. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Totally worth it when you're stuck and can't get answers.

I work in HR and see this situation frequently with seasonal workers. Your claim remains active for one benefit year from when you first filed. Since you're still within that year and only stopped claiming for 3 weeks, you'll use the "restart claim" option rather than filing a new claim. Here's what happens: 1. Wait until your first day of being laid off again 2. Log in to eServices and select "restart claim" 3. You'll need to report all work and earnings since your last weekly claim 4. Answer questions about your current separation reason (temporary layoff) 5. Once approved (usually within 48 hours), start filing weekly claims The first payment should process in the normal timeframe after your first weekly claim - typically 2-3 business days after filing if you use direct deposit. No new waiting week is required within the same benefit year.

Anybody know if this affects how much money u get? Like if they recalculate yr benefit amount after u work again? Or do u just get same weekly amount as before?

Don't forget you'll need to do the job search requirements again once you restart! 3 activities every week. Such a pain especially when you know you're going back to your job soon. 🙄

Thank you all for the incredible advice! I'm feeling much more prepared now. I'll definitely wait until I'm actually laid off before restarting my claim, and I'll have all my earnings and dates ready to go. I'll also ask my employer about the possibility of getting standby status since we do have a tentative return date. That would be amazing if I could avoid the job search requirements for this short period. I'll update this thread once I go through the process in case it helps someone else in the future!