Restart your claim

You might want to file claims again starting with your current week, or go back and claim weeks you missed. Here is what you need to know.

Unemployment claims are valid for 1 year from the date you applied. If you stopped claiming during that "benefit year," you do not need to apply again. Learn more about your benefit year.

Your situation What to do How it works
Missed filing a claim for 5 or more weeks in a row Restart your claim Restart it for the current week or ask to backdate the restarted claim
Missed filing a claim for fewer than 5 weeks in a row Do not need to restart your claim Continue filing claims for weeks you want to receive benefits
Worked during any of those weeks Report on your weekly claims the hours worked and your earnings We will deduct part of your benefits based on earnings you report

Choose how to file your claim

Read about all 3 options before you choose.

File online in eServices or use our automated phone system if you want to either:

  • Start claiming with your current week.
  • Claim consecutive past weeks you missed. (It's important to go in order. Start with the oldest week).

Option 1: File online

  1. Log into eServices. You can submit weekly claims and manage your claims in eServices.
  2. Go to your active claims.
  3. Choose "Manage my active claim" or "Manage my active claim."
    Screenshot of eServices. The "Manage my active claim" and "Manage my active UI claim" links have a black dotted line around them and a black arrow pointing to them.
  4. Choose "Restart my claim to begin filing again" under "I want to." It's important to file weekly claims in order. Start with the oldest week.
    Screenshot of claimant eServices. The "Restart by claim to begin filing again" link has a dotted black line around it and a black arrow pointing to it.

Option 2: File using our automated phone system

Call the automated phone system at 800-318-6022 from 12 a.m. Sunday to 4 p.m. Friday, unless Friday is a holiday.

Choose the option to "reopen" your claim. Reopen means the same as restart. It's important to file weekly claims in order. Start with the oldest week.

If you have a hearing or speech disability, you can use Washington Relay Service 711.

Option 3: File by speaking to a claims center agent

Use this option if you want to file a claim for some, but not every, missed week.

Call 800-318-6022 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Friday except holidays. The claims center often gets a high number of calls. Wait times to speak with an agent can sometimes be long.

If you have a hearing or speech disability, you can use Washington Relay Service 711.