Thanks everyone for all the helpful info. I was really worried when I got that exhausted benefits notice but now I understand there might still be options. Going to gather my wage info and file a new claim tomorrow!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation where my benefits just got exhausted and I was panicking. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key things to check are: 1) your benefit year end date, 2) any wages you earned during your claim period, and 3) whether those wages meet the 680 hours and two-quarter requirements for a new claim. Going to pull together all my employment records from the past year and see if I qualify. Really appreciate how supportive this community is - makes dealing with Washington ESD's confusing system much less overwhelming.

Just to clarify something important about standby status that hasn't been mentioned yet: For temporary hour reductions, you can be approved for standby status for up to 8 weeks (sometimes 12 with an extension). Your employer should indicate on their response to ESD that your reduction is temporary with a specific return date. If you're denied standby, remember that job search activities can include: - Applying for positions - Creating/updating your resume - Attending job fairs (virtual counts) - Taking work-related training courses - Networking events Just make sure to document each activity fully. And don't forget that partial benefits are still subject to the weekly minimum threshold - if you earn too much in a given week, you won't receive benefits for that specific week.

I went through something very similar about 6 months ago when my manufacturing job cut everyone from 40 to 32 hours. Here's what I learned that might help: First, definitely apply right away even without the official letter - you can always upload that documentation later in eServices. The waiting week means you won't get paid for your first week regardless, so don't delay. For the partial benefits calculation, it's actually not as bad as some people make it sound IF you understand the math upfront. In my case, going from 40 to 32 hours meant losing about $320/week in gross pay. My partial unemployment ended up being around $180/week, which covered more than half of what I lost. Not perfect, but it made the difference between struggling and managing. One heads up though - keep detailed records of everything. Save screenshots of your weekly claims, keep copies of any correspondence with your employer about the hours reduction, and document your job search activities thoroughly if you don't get standby status. I had to appeal something minor later and having all that paperwork saved me weeks of hassle. The process isn't fun, but for a 20% pay cut over 2-3 months, the partial benefits could genuinely help bridge that gap. Good luck!

The phone situation is definitely frustrating but don't give up. Your unemployment benefits are important and you deserve to get the help you need. Keep trying different approaches until something works.

I feel your pain - I went through the exact same thing last month! The phone system is absolutely broken. What worked for me was calling the 833-572-8400 number right at 8am and using the rapid redial method someone mentioned. Also keep your claim number and all documents ready because when you finally get through, they'll want everything immediately. Don't give up - your benefits are worth fighting for!

To summarize the correct information for anyone finding this thread later: 1. Once you've exhausted your maximum benefit amount, you won't receive any more payments regardless of whether you continue filing weekly claims. 2. You're not required to continue filing weekly claims after benefits are exhausted. 3. However, there can be situations where continuing to file might be helpful: - If you're receiving other benefits that require proof of continued unemployment - If there's potential for extension programs to be implemented - If you want to maintain your claim status in the system 4. The ESD system will continue to show filing alerts because it's automated and doesn't adjust based on individual benefit exhaustion. 5. If you're uncertain about your specific situation, it's always best to contact ESD directly for guidance.

I'm in a similar situation and decided to keep filing just in case. Even though I'm not getting paid, it takes less than 5 minutes each week and I figure it's better to be safe than sorry. My friend had her benefits exhausted in 2020 and then when PEUC became available she was automatically enrolled because she kept filing. Worth the small time investment IMO, especially since your benefit year doesn't end until June.

Thank you! I'll update here if I run into any other questions after the workshop.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this process about 6 months ago after being laid off from my warehouse job. The job search requirements definitely seem overwhelming at first, but you'll get the hang of it quickly! A few additional tips that helped me: - Set up job alerts on Indeed, LinkedIn, and company websites - when you respond to these alerts, make sure to note the source in your log - Don't forget that updating your resume or LinkedIn profile can count as a job search activity (but don't overuse this one) - If you have any professional certifications or licenses that need renewal, working on those can sometimes count too The WorkSource workshops are honestly a game-changer. I did their "Interviewing Skills" workshop and it helped me land my current position. They also have one-on-one career counseling sessions that count toward your weekly requirements. One thing I learned the hard way - always save confirmation emails and take screenshots of online applications. I had one company's website crash right after I submitted an application and almost lost that documentation. Now I screenshot everything immediately after hitting submit. You're being smart by asking these questions upfront. Better to be over-prepared than scrambling later!