Can I file an extension on my unemployment Washington ESD benefits?
My regular UI benefits are about to run out in a couple weeks and I'm still looking for work. Is there a way to file an extension through Washington ESD? I heard something about extended benefits but I'm not sure if those are still available or how to apply. I've been filing my weekly claims consistently and meeting all the job search requirements. Really worried about what happens when my claim year ends.
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Dylan Hughes
Regular UI in Washington is 26 weeks max. There aren't automatic extensions like there were during COVID. Extended Benefits (EB) only kick in when unemployment rates hit certain triggers, which they haven't recently.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•So there's literally nothing I can do? That seems crazy after paying into the system for years.
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Dylan Hughes
•You might be able to file a new claim if you've worked enough hours since your original claim started, but that's pretty rare.
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NightOwl42
wait i thought there was some kind of extension program still running? i've been out of work for 8 months now and really need help
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Sofia Rodriguez
•The pandemic programs (PUA, PEUC) ended in 2021. Regular state unemployment is all that's available now unless EB triggers activate.
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NightOwl42
•this is so frustrating, why is it so hard to get straight answers from Washington ESD about what's available
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Dmitry Ivanov
I had the same question last month and couldn't get through to anyone at Washington ESD to ask. Spent hours on hold just to get disconnected. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual agent who explained the extension rules. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•Never heard of that service. Did they actually help you get through to Washington ESD?
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Dmitry Ivanov
•Yeah, within like 30 minutes I was talking to a real person instead of listening to busy signals all day. Turns out I wasn't eligible for any extensions but at least I got a definitive answer.
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Ava Thompson
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already broke from being unemployed for months.
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Miguel Herrera
THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! Why should we have to pay extra services just to talk to the agency that's supposed to help us? Washington ESD gets worse every year.
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Zainab Ali
•I feel you but getting mad doesn't solve the problem. At least there are workarounds now.
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Miguel Herrera
•We shouldn't NEED workarounds to access our own benefits! This is taxpayer money we paid into!
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Sofia Rodriguez
To be clear about extensions: Extended Benefits (EB) in Washington only activate when the state's unemployment rate meets federal triggers. Currently we're not in an EB period. The only other option is filing a new regular UI claim if you've earned enough wages since your benefit year started, which requires at least 680 hours of work.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•I've only worked about 200 hours part-time since my claim started. Guess I'm out of luck.
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Connor Murphy
•What about training programs? Don't some of those come with extended benefits?
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Sofia Rodriguez
•There are some training programs that can extend benefits, but they have strict eligibility requirements and approval processes through WorkSource.
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Yara Nassar
honestly the whole unemployment system needs to be rebuilt from scratch. 26 weeks isn't enough time to find good work in this economy
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StarGazer101
•Other states have longer benefit periods. Washington could learn from them.
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Dylan Hughes
•The 26 week limit is actually federal guidance that most states follow. It's not just a Washington thing.
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Keisha Jackson
I'm in the same boat - benefits running out next month. Been applying to everything but the job market is brutal right now. Really hoping something changes with the extension rules.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•How many applications are you submitting per week? I'm doing about 15-20 but barely getting any responses.
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Keisha Jackson
•Same here, maybe 1 interview for every 30 applications. The job search requirement feels meaningless when there's such a mismatch.
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Paolo Romano
•At least you're meeting the requirement. I know people who just apply to random jobs they're not qualified for just to hit the numbers.
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Amina Diop
Check if you qualify for other programs like SNAP or state assistance while you're transitioning off unemployment. It won't replace your UI but might help bridge the gap.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•Good point, I should look into that. Any idea how long those applications take?
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Amina Diop
•SNAP can be pretty quick if you have all your documents ready. Maybe 2-3 weeks from application to approval.
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Oliver Schmidt
The training program extension thing is real but super limited. You have to get approved for specific programs and they have to be on the state's approved list. Most people don't qualify.
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Natasha Volkov
•Do you know where to find that approved list? Might be worth looking into.
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Oliver Schmidt
•It's somewhere on the WorkSource website but it's hard to navigate. Your local WorkSource office would have better info.
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Javier Torres
tried calling Washington ESD about this same question last week. gave up after 4 hours of redialing. the phone system is absolutely useless
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Emma Wilson
•That's why services like Claimyr exist. I used it last month when I needed to check on my adjudication status. Worth not wasting entire days on the phone.
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Javier Torres
•might have to try that. this is ridiculous that we can't just call our own state agency
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QuantumLeap
File a new claim if you can! Even if you don't think you have enough wages, let them make the determination. Sometimes there are wages they find that you forgot about.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•Won't that mess up my current claim somehow? I'm scared to do anything that might cause problems.
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QuantumLeap
•No, you file the new claim after your current benefit year ends. It's completely separate. Worst case they say you don't qualify and you're in the same position.
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Malik Johnson
this whole thread is depressing. makes me realize how many people are going to fall off the cliff when their benefits end with no safety net
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Isabella Santos
•It's a real problem. The unemployment system wasn't designed for long-term job searches in today's market.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•Exactly. And with rent prices the way they are, 26 weeks isn't realistic for most people to find something that pays enough.
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Ravi Sharma
Keep documenting your job search activities even after benefits end. If you do find part-time work later, you might be able to restart your claim if you haven't used all 26 weeks yet.
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Freya Larsen
•Wait, you can restart a claim? I thought once it ended that was it.
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Ravi Sharma
•You can reopen within your benefit year if you haven't exhausted all 26 weeks. It's different from filing a new claim.
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Omar Hassan
My cousin went through this last year. No extensions available, benefits ended, and she ended up taking a job paying half what she made before just to survive. The system really needs reform.
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Chloe Taylor
•That's the reality for a lot of people. Take whatever you can get or face homelessness.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•That's what I'm afraid of. I've been holding out for something in my field but might have to settle for retail or food service.
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ShadowHunter
Anyone know if working part-time while on unemployment affects your ability to file a new claim later? I'm thinking about taking some gig work to make ends meet.
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Sofia Rodriguez
•Part-time work while on UI can actually help you build wages toward a new claim, but you have to report it properly on your weekly claims.
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ShadowHunter
•Good to know. I was worried it might hurt my chances somehow.
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Diego Ramirez
The whole 'extensions' question comes up because people remember the pandemic programs. Those were federal emergency programs that don't exist anymore. Regular state unemployment has always been 26 weeks max unless EB triggers.
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Anastasia Sokolov
•Right, but that was like 3 years of extended benefits. People got used to having that safety net.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•Makes sense why everyone's confused about what's available now. Those pandemic programs were a lifeline.
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Sean O'Connor
If anyone figures out a way to get extensions or finds out EB is going to trigger, please update this thread. A lot of us are in the same situation.
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Zara Ahmed
•I'll keep an eye on the Washington ESD website for any EB announcements. They have to post notice if it triggers.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•Thanks everyone for the info. At least now I know what my options are (or aren't). Time to step up the job search.
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