This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a very similar situation - just hit my 26-week mark and saw that dreaded "final payment" message, but those weekly reminders keep coming. I was honestly about to just ignore them, but after reading everyone's experiences here, I'm definitely going to keep filing. The story about the February extension program really caught my attention - I had no idea those kinds of opportunities could pop up unexpectedly. It's also good to know about maintaining the job search requirements even during the $0 benefit period. Question for those who've been through this: do you know if there's any limit to how long you should keep filing after exhaustion, or is it just "until you find work"? The advice about filing for at least a month was helpful, but wondering if there's any official guidance beyond that. Thanks everyone for sharing your real-world experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical info that's impossible to find anywhere else!

I'm a newcomer here dealing with the exact same situation! Just exhausted my benefits last week after 26 weeks and was so confused by those automated reminders still coming in. I actually thought it might be a glitch in their system, but reading through all these responses has been eye-opening. The real-world examples about extension programs and the importance of continuous filing really convinced me. I had no idea that stopping filing could make you ineligible for future benefits even if you're still unemployed! It's honestly pretty disappointing that ESD doesn't explain any of this when your benefits first run out - just leaves you hanging with a "final payment" message and confusing automated reminders. But I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share their actual experiences. Definitely going to keep filing and maintain my job search documentation. Thanks to everyone who took the time to explain all this - you've probably saved a lot of people from making costly mistakes!

Final thought - remember that partial unemployment benefits are designed to bridge the gap while you're looking for more stable employment. Use this time to not just search for jobs but also maybe consider if there are skills you could develop or certifications you could get to improve your job prospects.

This whole thread has been incredibly informative! I'm actually in a very similar boat - working part-time at a grocery store and just had my hours slashed from 32 to about 18 per week. Reading everyone's experiences gives me hope that I might actually qualify for some help. I'm definitely going to apply this week and see what happens. The advice about keeping detailed records and being prepared for the job search requirements is especially helpful. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it's reassuring to know I'm not alone in this situation!

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble with the online system, try clearing your browser cache and cookies first - that fixed a lot of freezing issues I was having. Also, make sure you're using a supported browser (Chrome or Firefox work best). The system can be really finicky but these basic troubleshooting steps often help before you get too frustrated with it.

Also wanted to mention - if you're worried about making mistakes on your application, Washington ESD does allow you to go back and correct certain information after you submit your initial claim. Obviously it's better to get it right the first time, but don't stress too much if you realize you made a small error later. You can usually call or log into your account to make corrections. The most important thing is just getting that initial claim filed as soon as possible after your layoff - every week you wait is a week of potential benefits you might miss out on.

This is really helpful information! I had no idea that Washington's unemployment system was entirely employer-funded. I've been collecting benefits for about a month now and honestly felt a bit guilty about it, thinking it was coming from taxpayers. Knowing that my previous employers already paid into this system through their quarterly taxes makes me feel much better about using the benefits I'm entitled to. It's actually pretty clever how they tie the tax rates to each company's layoff history - gives businesses a real incentive to try to keep people employed when possible.

I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly educational! I had been putting off filing for unemployment because I thought it would somehow burden taxpayers or create debt I'd have to repay later. Learning that it's entirely employer-funded through those quarterly SUTA taxes completely changes my perspective. It really is like insurance - employers pay the premiums as part of their operating costs, and we access the benefits when we need them due to job loss. The experience rating system is particularly interesting because it means companies that frequently lay people off end up paying higher rates, which seems fair. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge here - you've helped remove a lot of unnecessary stress and guilt I was carrying about this!

I went through this exact situation last year as a union carpenter. Few things to add that might help: 1. When you get that verification letter from your hall, ask them to date it for when the slow period actually started, not when you request it. This can help with your claim start date. 2. If you're worried about the processing delays everyone mentioned, consider applying online late at night (like 11pm-1am) when fewer people are on the system. I had much better luck that way. 3. Don't forget that your benefit amount is also affected by any pension contributions or other deductions from your union paychecks during your base period. ESD uses your gross wages, so sometimes your UI benefit might be higher than your take-home was on some smaller jobs. 4. Keep checking with your hall even while on standby - sometimes short-term jobs pop up that weren't there the day before. Better to work a few days and report it properly than miss opportunities. The standby route is definitely your best bet for the seasonal slowdown. Just make sure all your paperwork is solid before you file. Good luck!

Hey Santiago! I'm also in construction (roofer) and have been through this seasonal unemployment cycle several times. Everything everyone said above is spot-on, but I wanted to add a couple quick tips from my experience: First, when you talk to your hall tomorrow, ask if they can also provide a letter stating your expected recall date or "when weather/market conditions improve." ESD loves specific timelines even if they're estimates. Second, don't stress too much about the income calculation - union construction workers often do better with UI than expected because they use your highest quarters. If you had some good overtime months last year, those will bump up your weekly benefit amount. The standby status is a game-changer for us seasonal workers. I've used it every winter for the past 3 years and it's so much better than scrambling to find random jobs or stressing about job search requirements when you know work will pick back up. One last thing - start your claim ASAP even if you think work might come back soon. There's usually a one-week waiting period anyway, and if work does pick up, you can just stop filing claims. Better to have it in place than wait and lose out on benefits you're entitled to. Hope this helps and that work picks up for you soon!