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I went through this exact same situation a few months ago and the panic is real! "Exhausted" is definitely the worst word they could have chosen - it sounds like you failed somehow when really it just means you've received all 26 weeks of regular benefits for your benefit year. I'd recommend calling Washington ESD to confirm there are no extended benefits available right now and to ask about filing a new claim if you had any work during your current benefit year. Also look into other resources like food assistance and job training programs while you're job hunting. The job market is tough but you'll get through this!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's really reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same thing. You're absolutely right about the panic - I was convinced I had done something wrong to get my benefits taken away. I'm definitely going to look into those other resources you mentioned while I keep job searching. Did you end up finding work before your benefit year ended, or did you have to wait to file a new claim?
I'm going through this exact same thing right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My claim just switched to "exhausted" status this week and I was completely panicked thinking I had somehow messed up my benefits. It's such a relief to understand that it just means I've used up my 26 weeks of regular UI benefits, not that I'm permanently disqualified or did anything wrong. The terminology really is awful - "exhausted" makes it sound so final and negative. I've been job searching consistently but the market is really tough right now. Going to keep documenting my job search activities like someone mentioned in case any extended benefits become available, and I'll look into those WorkSource training programs too. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and explanations!
I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now - filed in mid-February after my company downsized, and I'm at 5 weeks in adjudication with no end in sight. The financial stress is unreal when you're just sitting there waiting with no timeline or updates. What's helped me cope is setting up a daily routine of checking my account first thing in the morning, then not checking again until the next day (obsessively refreshing just makes the anxiety worse). I've also been documenting everything - screenshots of my account status, records of when I called and what automated messages I got, dates of weekly claim filings, etc. From reading everyone's responses here, it sounds like the state rep route might be worth trying if you're past the 6-week mark. And definitely keep filing those weekly claims! The thought of potentially getting 6+ weeks of backpay when this finally resolves is what's keeping me going. Hang in there - you're not alone in this mess.
Logan, thank you so much for sharing your experience - it really helps to know I'm not going crazy and this is happening to others too. The daily routine idea is brilliant - I've been obsessively checking my account multiple times a day and it's definitely making my anxiety worse. I'm going to try your approach of just checking once in the morning. The documentation tip is also really smart. I wish I had started keeping better records from day one, but I'll start now. It's reassuring to hear that others are also past the 5-6 week mark - makes me feel less like my case got lost in the system somehow. Really hoping both of our cases get resolved soon!
I'm in week 4 of adjudication myself after getting laid off from a tech startup. Reading through all these responses is both reassuring and terrifying - reassuring that I'm not alone, but terrifying that it could take another month or more! One thing I wanted to add that might help others: I've been keeping a spreadsheet with the exact times I call ESD, what automated message I get, and any other details. It's helped me notice patterns - like Mondays seem to have slightly shorter wait times before the "high call volume" message kicks in. Also, for anyone dealing with severance complications, my HR department told me that if your company paid into the unemployment insurance fund for you during your employment, you're entitled to benefits regardless of severance - it just might affect the timing. They suggested I get documentation from payroll showing the UI taxes that were withheld from my paychecks over the past year, in case ESD needs proof. Hang in there everyone - this system is clearly overwhelmed but from what I'm reading here, most people do eventually get their claims resolved with full backpay.
Bottom line: file now, report your severance accurately, and don't overthink it. Washington ESD deals with this situation all the time. The system is designed to handle severance payments alongside unemployment benefits.
Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation 8 months ago. I was so confused about the severance rules that I almost didn't file at all, thinking I had to wait. Biggest mistake would have been waiting! I ended up filing right away and just reported my severance each week. The Washington ESD system handled everything automatically - no issues at all. My advice is definitely file now and don't stress too much about the technicalities. The system is built to handle these common situations. Good luck with your claim!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been going back and forth on this for days, worried I'd mess something up. It's reassuring to know the system is designed for these situations and that filing early is the right move. Did you have any trouble with the weekly claim process during your severance period, or was it pretty straightforward once you got started?
The weekly claim process was actually really straightforward once I got the hang of it. There's a specific section where you report "other income" and I just put in my weekly severance amount there. The system automatically calculated that I wouldn't get any UI payment that week, but it kept my claim active. The key thing I learned is to be consistent - report it the same way every week until the severance runs out. After my 8 weeks of severance ended, I started getting my full weekly benefit amount with no problems. The hardest part was just getting over the initial anxiety about doing it wrong!
I went through this exact same situation about 2 months ago when my property manager needed proof of my unemployment benefits. The SecureAccess Washington portal is definitely your best bet - I was able to download an official verification letter within minutes. It shows your weekly benefit amount, claim start date, and current status which is exactly what most landlords need. If for some reason the online system isn't working, calling first thing in the morning (around 8 AM) tends to have shorter wait times. Good luck!
That's really helpful to know it worked so quickly for you! I'm definitely going to try the SecureAccess Washington portal first. It sounds like that's the most reliable method based on what everyone's saying. Thanks for sharing your experience - it gives me confidence that I can get this sorted out without too much hassle.
CosmicCruiser
Update us when you figure it out! I'm sure other people will have this same question and it would be helpful to know what method actually worked for you.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•Will do! I'm going to try the early morning calling strategy first, then the website tips everyone suggested. Thanks everyone for all the help!
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Emma Wilson
•And remember, if the calling doesn't work out, that Claimyr service is always an option to help you get through to an agent faster. Good luck!
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Amina Diop
I had a similar issue recently and found that the records are actually in the "Benefits Information" section, not under current claims. After logging into SecureAccess Washington, look for "Benefits Information" then "Payment Details" - it should show your complete payment history with dates and amounts that you can export as a PDF. The interface is pretty clunky but the data is there. If that section isn't showing up for you, try switching browsers - I had to use Edge instead of Chrome to see all the menu options properly.
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