Your claim is good for a “benefit year,” which is 52 weeks, beginning with the week you file your application. You cannot file a new claim in Washington until your benefit year is over, even though you may have received all of your benefits. Most claims receive between 13 to 26 weeks of benefits.

Unemployment benefits partially replace your regular earnings and help you meet expenses while you look for another job. It is not based on financial need.

• If you did not work in Washington state: You cannot apply for unemployment benefits in Washington or file weekly claims here if you did not work in this state during the past 18 months. The only exceptions are if you were in the military or worked for the federal government. You must file your claim with one of the state(s) where you worked in the last 18 months.
  
• If you did work in Washington state or were discharged from the military: To determine if you are eligible for unemployment benefits, the Department of Labor examines:
  
  1. Whether you worked enough hours in your base year:
  • You must have worked at least 680 hours in your base year.
  • At least some wages must have been earned in Washington, unless you recently left the military and are currently located in Washington state.

      2. The reason you're unemployed or not working full time.

     3. Your availability for work for the weeks you claim.