Any extended benefits after regular UI exhaustion in 2025? Running out of options

Unfortunately, Extended Benefits (EB) are only available during periods of high unemployment as determined by specific economic triggers. As of 2025, Washington state doesn't currently meet those thresholds, so EB isn't active right now. There are a few other options to consider: 1. Training Benefits program - if you qualify for approved training/education, you may get additional weeks 2. Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) - if your job loss was due to foreign trade impacts 3. Apply for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) through DSHS 4. WorkFirst might be another option if you have children 5. Basic Food (SNAP) benefits can help with grocery expenses I'd recommend contacting your local DSHS office to see what you might qualify for based on your specific situation.

u should apply for food stamps ASAP!! they process those applications pretty quick and it will atleast help with groceries. i was getting $325/month when my UI ran out last summer. also check with ur utility companies - most have low income assistance programs. same with internet companies! i got my comcast bill down to $25/month on their essentials plan.

I went through this exact same situation in January. The Training Benefits program might be your best option if you're interested in getting additional certification or education. You apply through ESD, but you need to be enrolled or accepted into an approved training program first. The process takes time though, so it's not an immediate solution. In the meantime, have you considered looking at healthcare-adjacent fields? When I couldn't find another nursing position, I took a job at a medical equipment company doing customer service. The pay wasn't as good as nursing, but they valued my healthcare background and it helped bridge the gap while I continued looking for nursing positions. Also, try reaching out to staffing agencies that specialize in healthcare - sometimes they have temp positions that aren't advertised publicly.

If your trying to reach ESD again about your options (which you should!) don't waste hours on hold. I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that held my place in line and called me back when an agent was available. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Worth it to actually talk to someone who can tell you exactly what programs you qualify for rather than guessing. When my benefits ran out, an ESD agent helped me understand that I qualified for partial benefits even when I started part-time work.

The whole system is BROKEN!!! I used up my benefits last month and there's NOTHING available. They just expect us to magically find jobs that don't exist or take minimum wage after making good money for years. The "help" from WorkSource is a joke - they just tell you to search Indeed which everyone already does anyway. When I asked about extensions the lady literally laughed and said those ended with COVID. The government doesn't care about workers anymore!!!

Hey, just wanted to mention that if you're in the nursing field, have you checked with hospitals about resource pool positions? My sister is an RN and couldn't find full-time work when she moved to Seattle, but she got into the resource pool at Swedish where she picks up shifts as needed. It's variable, but at least it's some income while you look for something permanent. Also, have you thought about home health? Lots of agencies are hiring and they often have more flexible requirements than hospitals.

To answer your question about the Training Benefits timeline - it took about 3 weeks from application to approval for me, but that was after I'd already been accepted into a program. The whole process looks like this: 1. Find an approved training program (community colleges, technical schools) 2. Apply and get accepted to the program 3. Submit Training Benefits application through your ESD account 4. Wait for determination (2-4 weeks typically) 5. If approved, continue filing weekly claims while in training Regarding medical equipment companies - I applied directly through company websites after searching "medical equipment" + "customer service" on job boards. Companies like Philips, ResMed, and smaller regional DME providers often hire people with clinical backgrounds.

@profile8 Yes, Claimyr worked for me after trying for days to get through. You pay upfront but it's worth it when you need to talk to an actual person at ESD. Especially for complicated situations like overpayments where you really need specific answers.

@profile4 You can apply for Training Benefits after exhausting regular UI, but there's a catch - you need to apply within 30 days of your benefit exhaustion date. So if you just recently exhausted benefits, you're still within that window. The other requirement is that your training program must be something that will help you become employed in an in-demand occupation (which healthcare certainly qualifies for). Also, regarding your food benefits question from earlier - yes, most applicants do have to complete a phone interview, but they're processing those fairly quickly these days, usually within 7-10 days of application.

I'm in a similar situation - exhausted my regular UI benefits last month and the job market is brutal right now. One thing that helped me was reaching out to local churches and community organizations. Many have emergency assistance funds for rent/utilities that you can apply for quickly. Also, check if your city has any emergency rental assistance programs - Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane all have programs that can help with immediate rent relief while you figure out longer-term solutions. For healthcare jobs, have you tried looking at school districts? Many need substitute school nurses or health assistants, and the pay is decent even if it's not full-time. It's something to bridge the gap while you pursue the training benefits program that others mentioned. Hang in there - this market is rough but there are resources out there to help get you through this tough period.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some resources that might help since I went through unemployment exhaustion myself recently. Have you looked into the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs? They sometimes provide additional support for job training and placement services beyond what WorkSource offers. Also, if you're open to telehealth nursing, there are quite a few remote positions opening up with companies like Teladoc and Amwell - the application process is competitive but they specifically value experienced nurses. Another option to consider is contacting your nursing school's career services office if you're still connected with them - many maintain job boards and have relationships with healthcare employers that aren't always publicly advertised. Alumni networks can be surprisingly helpful even years after graduation. For immediate financial relief, don't forget about the 211 helpline (dial 2-1-1) - they can connect you with local emergency assistance programs, food banks, and utility help programs specific to your zip code. Good luck, and don't lose hope - the healthcare job market is cyclical and positions do open up!

I'm also in the healthcare field (respiratory therapist) and went through my benefits exhaustion about 6 months ago. A few additional suggestions that helped me get by: Check with temp staffing agencies like Maxim Healthcare, AMN Healthcare, or local ones - they often have per diem shifts available even when full-time positions are scarce. The pay is usually higher per hour than permanent positions, though without benefits. Also look into clinical trial companies in the Seattle area like Fred Hutch or Swedish's research departments - they often need healthcare professionals for patient monitoring roles and the work can be quite steady. For immediate relief, Washington State has the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that can help with utility bills, and many counties have emergency rental assistance that's separate from the state programs. King County's program helped me avoid eviction when I was in a similar spot. Don't give up on networking either - reach out to former colleagues on LinkedIn. I found my current position through a former coworker who knew about an opening that wasn't posted yet. Sometimes it's really about who you know in healthcare. The market will turn around - healthcare always does eventually. Just focus on surviving this rough patch with whatever resources you can access.

I'm going through a similar situation right now - exhausted my UI benefits in February and the job search has been incredibly tough. One thing I discovered recently is that some hospitals have "seasonal" or "casual" nursing positions that don't get posted on regular job boards. I found out about these by calling the HR departments directly and asking if they had any per diem or on-call positions available. Also, if you're willing to consider slightly outside your usual area, rural hospitals and clinics are often more desperate for nurses and may have openings. The pay might be different, but it could be a bridge while you continue looking for something closer to home. For immediate help with rent, check if your county has any COVID-era rental assistance programs that are still active - some counties extended these programs into 2025. Also, many apartment complexes have hardship programs they don't advertise but will work with you if you call and explain your situation. The nursing shortage is real, but it's also weirdly competitive right now because everyone wants the "good" positions. Sometimes taking something temporary or less ideal can actually lead to better opportunities. Hang in there!