Can I apply for extended unemployment benefits through Washington ESD?

Unfortunately, the federal extended benefit programs like PEUC ended a few years ago. Washington ESD doesn't currently offer automatic extensions beyond your regular 26 weeks of UI benefits. However, you might qualify for Extended Benefits (EB) if the state unemployment rate triggers it, but that's pretty rare.

I was in the same boat last year. No extensions available but I did qualify for a new benefit year because I had worked part-time during my original claim period. The wages I earned while collecting UI counted toward establishing a new claim.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about your options, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually reach a live agent. They have this system that calls for you and gets you connected when an agent is available. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of busy signals.

THERE ARE NO EXTENSIONS RIGHT NOW. The federal programs ended and Washington state doesn't have its own extension program. You need to find work or apply for other assistance programs like SNAP or housing help.

Actually, let me clarify the Extended Benefits (EB) program since I mentioned it. Washington ESD can trigger EB when the state's unemployment rate is high enough, but we haven't hit those thresholds recently. When active, EB provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits. You can check the current status on the Washington ESD website.

my cousin in california got extended benefits but i think thats a state thing not federal

So my only option is to see if I can qualify for a new benefit year? I did work some temp jobs during my claim period. How do I check if those wages are enough?

I'm in week 24 of my claim and starting to panic too. The job market is brutal right now. Has anyone had luck with WorkSource services for job placement?

Wait I thought there was something called Disaster Unemployment Assistance? Or is that only for natural disasters?

This whole system is broken. We pay into unemployment insurance our whole working lives and then get cut off after 6 months. Meanwhile people who've never worked get welfare indefinitely.

If you're really struggling to get answers from Washington ESD about your options, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier is worth trying. I used it when I needed to talk to someone about my benefit calculation and actually got through. Sometimes you need to speak to a real person to understand all your options.

Check if you qualify for any retraining programs through WorkSource. Sometimes they have programs that provide additional support while you're learning new skills.

I went through this same thing 2 years ago. No extensions available then either. Had to take a job paying way less than my previous one just to survive. The system forces you to take whatever you can get.

What about partial unemployment benefits? If you take a part-time job you might still qualify for some UI benefits.

I had a friend who filed a new claim after her benefits ran out and got approved for a full new 26 weeks. She had worked enough during her first claim period to qualify. Definitely worth checking your wage history.

Make sure you understand the difference between a new benefit year and just extending your current claim. A new benefit year means you've earned enough wages to qualify for a completely new claim with potentially different benefit amounts.

Don't forget about other assistance programs if your UI runs out. SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance, utility help. There are resources available even if unemployment benefits end.

The bottom line is there are no federal extensions right now and Washington state doesn't have its own extension program. Your best bet is checking if you qualify for a new benefit year or looking into training programs that might extend benefits. Good luck.

If anyone needs help getting through to Washington ESD to discuss their specific situation, that Claimyr service really does work. I was skeptical at first but it beats spending all day hitting redial. Just throwing that out there for anyone who's been struggling with the phone system.

I was in a similar situation last year when my benefits were about to run out. The key thing that saved me was discovering I had enough wages from freelance work I'd done during my claim period to qualify for a new benefit year. I'd been doing some contract graphic design work and reporting it on my weekly claims, not realizing those wages could help me establish a new claim. When I filed the new claim, I actually got a slightly higher weekly benefit amount because one of my freelance quarters was pretty good. Don't give up hope - definitely log into your ESD account and check your quarterly wage report carefully. Even if the wages seem small, they might be enough to meet the $5,265 threshold for a new claim.