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Bottom line: don't count on Extended Benefits being available after your 26 weeks. Plan for either finding a job or having a gap in benefits until you can file a new claim. The system isn't designed to support long-term unemployment, unfortunately.
@Leo McDonald Another option to consider is reaching out to your professional network - former colleagues, LinkedIn connections, etc. Sometimes people hear about openings before they re'officially posted. Also, don t'overlook contract work through platforms like Upwork or Freelancer if your skills translate to remote work. Even small projects can help bridge the income gap while you re'searching for something permanent. The key is diversifying your approach since we know Extended Benefits aren t'coming.
@Leo McDonald I d'also suggest looking into gig economy work like DoorDash, Uber, or Instacart as a quick income bridge. It s'not ideal long-term, but you can start earning within a few days of signing up, which is crucial when you re'running out of benefits. I know several people who combined gig work with temp agency placements to maximize their income during the gap. The flexibility also allows you to still interview for permanent positions when opportunities come up.
I'm hitting my 26 weeks in Washington next month too and this whole thread has been a reality check. The lack of Extended Benefits is really frustrating - it feels like the system just abandons you right when you might need the most help. I've been checking the Washington ESD website regularly hoping to see EB get activated, but it sounds like that's not going to happen. Has anyone had luck with the WorkSource training programs that provide stipends? I'm wondering if that might be a way to get some income while learning new skills that could make me more employable.
@Simon White I went through the WorkSource training program about 8 months ago when I was facing a similar situation. The stipend isn t'huge - I think I was getting around $400/week while in training - but it definitely helped bridge the gap. The key is to apply early because like @Amara Okafor mentioned, there can be waiting lists for popular programs. I did a medical assistant certification program that took about 4 months, and they helped with job placement afterward. The career counselors are actually pretty helpful in figuring out what training might lead to actual job opportunities in your area. Just be prepared for a lot of paperwork and assessments upfront. It s not'a perfect solution but better than having zero income while your benefits run out.
@Simon White I just went through the WorkSource application process last month. The good news is they have several different training programs with stipends - not just WIOA but also some state-funded programs. The bad news is the income requirements can be tricky - you need to show financial need but also can t'have too much in savings. I m'currently waiting to hear back on a healthcare training program that would provide about $350/week during the 6-month certification. The career counselor was honest that it s'competitive, but she said people with unemployment history often get priority since we re'clearly in transition. Even if you don t'qualify for stipend programs, some of the shorter-term certifications might help you land something before your benefits run completely dry. Worth exploring all options at this point.
Just want to add that while your benefits are running out, make sure you're using all the free WorkSource resources. Their healthcare sector liaison can connect you with employers specifically looking for healthcare admin experience. They also offer free workshops on improving your resume, interview skills, and using LinkedIn effectively. These services remain available to you even after your UI benefits end. Also, don't forget the healthcare field has many adjacent sectors where your skills might transfer. Insurance companies, medical software vendors, and telehealth services are all growing areas that hire people with healthcare admin backgrounds.
I had no idea WorkSource had sector-specific liaisons! That's exactly what I need. I've been so focused on hospitals and clinics that I haven't really explored those adjacent industries you mentioned. I'm going to make an appointment with WorkSource this week and specifically ask about the healthcare liaison. Thank you!
I'm in a very similar situation - my benefits are ending in about 3 weeks and I'm terrified. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful, especially learning about the Training Benefits program and WorkSource resources I didn't know existed. One thing I wanted to add that might help both of us: I found out that some community colleges have "rapid retraining" programs that are specifically designed for unemployed workers and can qualify for the Training Benefits. These are usually shorter-term programs (3-6 months) focused on in-demand skills rather than full degree programs. Also, if you're comfortable sharing, what area of WA are you in? I'm in the Seattle area and wondering if we're competing for the same limited healthcare admin positions, or if there might be opportunities in other regions we should consider. Hang in there - it sounds like there are more options available than either of us realized when we first started panicking about our benefits ending!
Hi there! It's both reassuring and scary to know someone else is going through the exact same thing right now. I'm actually in the Tacoma area, so we might not be competing directly for the same positions - though you're right that healthcare admin jobs seem pretty limited everywhere right now. The rapid retraining programs sound really interesting! Do you happen to know which community colleges offer those? I've been looking at some online certification programs but wasn't sure if they'd qualify for the Training Benefits. It would be amazing if I could get into something that's only 3-6 months instead of having to commit to a full degree program. I'm definitely feeling more hopeful after reading everyone's responses here. When I first posted I thought I was just going to hit a wall when my benefits ended, but it sounds like there are actually several paths forward. Good luck to both of us - hopefully we can both find something before our benefits run out completely!
I'm having the exact same issue! Started yesterday when I tried to file my weekly claim. I keep getting that firewall block message no matter what I do. It's so stressful because I don't want to miss my filing deadline. I tried switching from my home WiFi to mobile data but still getting blocked. Really glad to see I'm not the only one - I was starting to think I did something wrong with my account. Going to try the incognito mode suggestion right now!
I'm dealing with the same thing! Just tried incognito mode after reading the suggestions here and it worked for me. If that doesn't work for you, definitely try waiting 30 minutes between attempts - someone mentioned that helped them. Also good to know from @Kingston Bellamy s'update that ESD won t'penalize us for late filing due to this firewall issue. Hope you get through soon!
This is such a relief to find this thread! I've been trying to file my weekly claim since yesterday morning and keep getting hit with that firewall block. I was starting to panic thinking my account got flagged for something. After reading through all these responses, I tried the incognito/private browsing method and it worked! Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions. For anyone else still struggling - the private browsing mode really does seem to bypass whatever security issue they're having. And knowing there's a grace period from ESD for this issue takes a huge weight off my shoulders. Hopefully they get this sorted out by Monday like they said!
So glad the incognito mode worked for you too! I was also panicking when this first started happening - thought maybe my account got compromised or something. It's really reassuring to see how many people have found solutions here and that ESD is aware of the problem. The grace period news is huge - I was so worried about missing my filing window. Thanks for confirming that private browsing is working for others, it gives me confidence that this workaround will keep helping people until they get the patch rolled out Monday.
I went through something very similar last month when I realized I had entered the wrong hourly wage for one of my previous jobs on my initial claim. I was absolutely panicking, thinking I'd get flagged for fraud or have my benefits cut off entirely. But after reading about other people's experiences and talking to a friend who works in HR, I decided to submit a correction through the modify claim feature in my SecureAccess Washington account. The whole process was surprisingly straightforward - I just had to explain what the error was and provide the correct information. It took about a week for them to process the change, and I got a confirmation message saying it was updated. No penalties, no accusations, just a simple correction. Looking back, I wish I hadn't stressed so much about it. The Washington ESD system really does seem designed to accommodate honest mistakes, and being upfront about errors actually builds credibility rather than damaging it. My advice is definitely to fix it sooner rather than later - the longer you wait, the more complicated it might become.
Thank you so much for sharing your detailed experience! It's incredibly reassuring to hear that the process was straightforward and that Washington ESD was reasonable about the correction. I'm actually dealing with a very similar situation right now - I think I may have entered incorrect wage information for one of my previous employers and have been losing sleep over it. Your story gives me the confidence to go ahead and submit a correction rather than hoping it won't be noticed. It sounds like the key takeaway is that honesty and being proactive really do work in your favor with Washington ESD. I'm going to log into my SAW account today and get this fixed. Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience - it's exactly what I needed to hear!
This entire thread has been incredibly helpful! I was in a similar panic mode about a mistake I made on my claim - I accidentally listed my part-time job's end date as a month later than it actually was. Reading everyone's experiences here has really calmed my nerves and shown me that Washington ESD is much more reasonable about honest errors than I initially feared. The consistent message seems to be: fix it promptly, be transparent, and document everything. I'm heading to my SecureAccess Washington account right now to submit a correction. It's amazing how much stress we put ourselves through over what are really just common clerical errors. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this community support makes dealing with unemployment issues so much less overwhelming!
I'm so glad this thread helped you too! It's really amazing how much anxiety these small mistakes can cause when you're already dealing with the stress of unemployment. I was in the exact same headspace a few weeks ago - convinced that one little error would somehow ruin everything. But seeing all these success stories really shows that Washington ESD deals with these corrections all the time and they're pretty understanding about it. The fact that they even built the modify claim feature into the online system shows they know people make mistakes! Good luck with your correction - I'm sure it will go smoothly. And you're absolutely right about the community support here making everything less overwhelming. It's such a relief to know we're not alone in navigating this process!
Misterclamation Skyblue
I had the same confusion when I first started! One thing that helped me was creating a simple calendar reminder that says "File UI weekly claim for [previous week dates]" every Sunday. Also, if you ever miss a week by accident, don't panic - just file as soon as you remember and call Washington ESD to explain. They're usually understanding about honest mistakes as long as you don't make it a habit.
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PaulineW
•That's such a smart idea about including the specific dates in the reminder! I was just going to set a generic "file unemployment" reminder but adding the actual week dates would definitely help avoid confusion about which period I'm reporting for. And good to know they're understanding about honest mistakes - that takes some of the stress away.
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Natalie Wang
One more tip that really helped me - Washington ESD's mobile app actually makes filing weekly claims super easy once you get the hang of the timing. I was struggling with the desktop site at first but the app is more straightforward. You can also check your claim status and payment history right from your phone. Just make sure you're still filing every Sunday for the previous week (Sunday through Saturday) like everyone mentioned. The app will show you exactly which week you're certifying for so there's less confusion about the dates.
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Oliver Brown
•Oh wow, I didn't even know there was a mobile app! I've been struggling with the desktop website this whole time. Is it called something specific when you search for it in the app store? And does it have all the same features as the website? This could make filing so much easier, especially since I'm usually more on my phone anyway. Thanks for the tip!
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