Benefits exhausted after 26 weeks with weekly claim reminders - should I still file?

You should actually continue filing your weekly claims even after your benefits are exhausted. This serves two purposes: 1) If any additional benefits become available (like extensions that occasionally get approved by the legislature), you'll already be in the system without gaps in your claims, and 2) It helps document your continued unemployment status, which might be important for other assistance programs. Just make sure you're still meeting all the usual requirements like documenting your job search activities.

same thing happnd to me last month... got the 'final payment' message but kept getting those stupid reminders. i just ignored them and nothing bad happened lol. system is just automated and doesnt know when to stop sending notices

KEEP FILING!!! I learned this lesson the hard way last year. I exhausted benefits in June, stopped filing because I thought "what's the point?" Then in August some additional benefits were made available but I wasn't eligible because I had a 6-week gap in my claims. The system saw it as me not being continuously unemployed even though I was. Trust me, the 5 minutes it takes to file each week is worth it just in case.

Good luck with your interview next week! As for your question, I was in the same situation back in February. Here's what an ESD agent told me after I finally got through on the phone: Continue filing weekly claims for at least a month after benefits exhaust, as it keeps your claim active in the system. After that period, if your situation hasn't changed, you can stop. Btw, if you need to speak with an ESD agent directly about your specific situation (which I recommend), I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through. They have this service that helps you bypass the hold times and actually get a callback from ESD. Saved me hours of frustration. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3

has anyone actually gotten an extension in 2025? i heard they stopped doing those after the pandemic stuff ended. my sister-in-law exhausted her benefits in january and hasnt gotten anything else

forgot to mention - make sure ur still doing the 3 job search activities every week even if ur not getting paid anymore! my friend got approved for some extra benefits later but got disqualified cuz she wasnt keeping up with job search requirements during the gap weeks

anyone else think its ridiculous we only get 26 weeks when it takes way longer than that to find decent work these days??! my benefits ran out in Feb and im still looking. Washington should extend the base period like some other states have.

To directly answer your question about the claim reminders: The ESD system automatically sends these reminders to all claimants regardless of benefit status. However, as others have mentioned, continuing to file weekly claims after exhaustion is recommended for several reasons. One important detail: If you do continue filing, make sure your job search log remains compliant with requirements (3 activities per week, properly documented). If you stop filing and later need to restart due to a new claim or extension, having a gap in your claim history could trigger additional scrutiny and potentially delay any future benefits. Lastly, once you find employment, you should file one final weekly claim indicating you've returned to work. This properly closes your claim in the system.

Just wanted to add from my experience - I'm a case worker who helps people navigate unemployment benefits. The advice here is spot on about continuing to file even after exhaustion. One thing I'd emphasize: if you do get that promising job from your interview, don't forget to report your first day of work on your weekly claim BEFORE you start. This prevents any overpayment issues if there's a delay in processing. Also, even part-time work should be reported - you might still be eligible for partial benefits depending on your earnings. The system is designed to support your transition back to full employment, so be thorough with your reporting. Wishing you the best with that interview!

As someone who just went through this exact situation a few months ago, I can't stress enough how important it is to keep filing those weekly claims! I know it feels pointless when you're seeing $0 payments, but trust me on this. I exhausted my benefits in December and almost stopped filing because it seemed like a waste of time. Thankfully a friend who works in HR convinced me to keep going. Sure enough, in February there was a small extension program that became available for people in certain industries affected by layoffs. Because I had maintained continuous filing, I was eligible and got an additional 8 weeks of benefits. My coworker who had stopped filing had to jump through hoops and still ended up with a gap that made him ineligible. The 5 minutes it takes each week is absolutely worth the peace of mind. Plus, keeping up with your job search documentation becomes second nature. Good luck with that interview - fingers crossed you won't need to worry about this much longer!

Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here! This is exactly why I love this community - getting real advice from people who've actually been through this. Based on all the feedback, I'm definitely going to keep filing those weekly claims even though my benefits are exhausted. Better safe than sorry, especially hearing about those extension programs that can pop up unexpectedly. I'll make sure to keep up with my 3 job search activities per week too. Honestly, the automated reminders were confusing me because they didn't explain WHY I should keep filing after exhaustion, but now it all makes sense. Thanks everyone for taking the time to help out a fellow job seeker! 🙏

I'm going through something similar right now - exhausted my benefits 3 weeks ago but kept getting those reminder texts. Reading through all these responses has been super enlightening! I had no idea about the extension programs or how important it is to maintain continuous filing. I actually called ESD last week to ask about stopping the reminders and the agent told me the same thing everyone here is saying - keep filing even with $0 benefits. She mentioned that gaps in claims can be really problematic if any additional programs become available. It's honestly ridiculous that this isn't explained clearly when your benefits first exhaust. The system just says "final payment" and leaves you guessing about next steps. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is way more helpful than anything on the official ESD website!

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!