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!