i went thru this last month. trust me, apply for everything - food stamps, energy assistance, rental assistance - BEFORE ur benefits run out completely. the waitlists for some of these programs can be weeks long and you dont want to be stuck with nothing while waiting. also check out your local food banks, they usually dont have income requirements and can help stretch your budget.

Some counties have emergency assistance programs, but they vary a lot. Call 211 - it's a resource hotline that can connect you with all available emergency services in your area. They can tell you exactly what's available and how to qualify for expedited help.

If you need help getting in touch with ESD before your appeal, try Claimyr (claimyr.com). It helped me get through when I was stuck in a similar situation with online classes. Before using it, I spent days trying to reach someone at ESD. With Claimyr, I got through in about 20 minutes and was able to speak directly with an agent who noted important details in my file before my appeal hearing. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3

It's completely legitimate. It's a call-back service that helps navigate ESD's phone system. Many people on this forum have used it successfully. Back to the main topic - when you file your appeal, be extremely specific about your school schedule. Don't just say it's "flexible" - provide your actual class schedule, assignment due dates, and explain exactly how you manage your time. Also request a copy of your complete claim file through a public records request before your hearing - this way you can see exactly what ESD is basing their decision on. The more prepared you are with specific evidence, the better your chances.

Just want to say I'm going through the exact same thing right now and it's TOUGH. My family also doesn't understand how unemployment works and thinks I'm just not trying hard enough to get benefits extended. The mental health toll of job searching with no income is real. Hang in there.

One more thing to consider - sometimes people qualify for a different type of claim than they initially thought. For example, if you worked for a federal employer or across multiple states, you might be eligible for a different type of claim. Or if you were misclassified as a contractor when you were actually an employee. It's worth speaking directly with ESD to explore ALL possibilities before assuming you're out of options.

Same thing happened to my brother and he tried going to WorkSource. They were nice but basically said sorry, can't help with that, we don't have access to the claims system. Such a waste of time.

For an expedite request, you can either: 1. Submit it through eServices by sending a secure message specifically stating "URGENT HARDSHIP EXPEDITE REQUEST" in the subject line and explaining the financial hardship (potential eviction, utilities being shut off, etc.) 2. If he can get through by phone, explicitly request an expedite due to financial hardship Regarding the employment verification issue - sometimes ESD has trouble reaching the previous employer to verify the termination. In these cases, providing additional documentation can help: - Final pay stub showing last day worked - Any correspondence with HR about the termination - Contact information for someone who can verify the separation (HR rep, manager) I'd recommend uploading any additional documentation he has and then mentioning the additional documents in the expedite request message.

Thanks for posting about that Claimyr service @helpfulcommenter! Just bookmarked it in case I need it. I spent SO MANY HOURS trying to get through on the phone last month, wish I'd known about this earlier!

OP - since you've found the application, here's another tip: After you submit your initial application, you'll likely see a "pending" status for at least a week or two. This is normal! ESD has to verify your employment history with your former employers. Just keep filing your weekly claims while you wait.