Exhausted my UI benefits - are there extensions or do I need to file a new claim in 2025?
I just checked my ESD account and got the dreaded message that I've exhausted my regular UI benefits. My final payment will be from the weekly claim I filed this past Sunday. I've been consistently completing my 3 job search activities each week and logging them with WorkSource, but the job market in my field (manufacturing) is still pretty rough right now. I'm getting interviews but no offers yet. Does anyone know if there are any benefit extensions available in 2025? Or do I need to file an entirely new claim? I've been on this claim for about 6 months now. Just need to cover rent and basics for a few more weeks until something comes through. My savings are completely drained and I'm starting to panic a bit.
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Paolo Bianchi
Unfortunately WA state doesn't currently have any UI extension programs active. The regular UI benefit period is 26 weeks, and once you've exhausted those benefits, that's it for this benefit year. You can only file a new claim if you've had qualifying employment since you filed your current claim. If you haven't worked since opening your current claim, you won't be eligible for a new one yet. Have you checked with DSHS about temporary assistance or emergency assistance programs? Also, WorkSource sometimes has emergency grant funds available for people in transition between jobs.
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Keisha Thompson
•Thanks for the fast reply. That's what I was afraid of. I've had a couple of 2-3 day temp assignments through an agency over the last few months, but I'm guessing that's not enough to qualify for a new claim? I'll definitely check with DSHS - didn't think about that option. Do you know how quickly they can usually help if you qualify?
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Yara Assad
DONT WASTE YOUR TIME WITH DSHS!!!! I exhausted my benefits last month and tried going that route. Took me FOREVER to get through their application process and then they said I didn't qualify because I had a car worth more than $6000. The whole system is designed to PREVENT people from getting help. ESD and DSHS are both completely broken systems!!!!
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Olivia Clark
•this happened to my cousin too. the asset limits are ridiculous, like we're supposed to sell our cars just to get a few weeks of assistance? how are we supposed to get to job interviews then??
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Javier Morales
I went through this exact situation last fall. If you've had ANY W-2 employment since starting your current claim, you might qualify for a new claim, but it depends on whether you earned enough in your base year. Those temp assignments might count, but it really depends on how much you earned. You should call ESD directly to check if you qualify. Fair warning though - it's nearly impossible to get through to them right now. I tried for 2 weeks straight and kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours.
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Natasha Petrov
•I used Claimyr when I was in a similar situation with my exhausted benefits. It got me through to an ESD agent in about 25 minutes instead of spending days trying. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent was able to tell me exactly where I stood with potential eligibility for a new claim based on my limited work history during my benefit year. Saved me a ton of stress compared to guessing.
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Connor O'Brien
have u checked with ur temp agency if they have more assignments? sometimes they can prioritize ppl who r about to lose benefits. also check out food banks in ur area, they usually dont have income requirements and can help with basics while ur between jobs
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Keisha Thompson
•I've been checking in with them weekly. They said manufacturing is slow right now but they'll call me as soon as something comes up. Food bank is a good idea - there's one not far from me that I think is open on Thursdays. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Amina Diallo
Im confused about something - if you exhaust UI can you immediately apply for a new claim? Or do you have to wait until your benefit year ends? My benefit year isn't over for another 3 months but I'm about to run out of money too.
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Paolo Bianchi
•These are two separate issues. Your benefit year is the 12-month period during which you can collect your maximum benefit amount. However, most people exhaust their benefits before the benefit year ends because WA typically provides about 26 weeks of benefits within that 52-week benefit year. To qualify for a new claim before your current benefit year ends, you would need to: 1. Have exhausted all benefits on your current claim 2. Have worked and earned qualifying wages since filing your original claim 3. Meet the minimum earnings requirements for a new claim If you haven't worked since filing your original claim, you'll need to find employment, earn qualifying wages, and then you could be eligible for a new claim after your current benefit year ends.
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Olivia Clark
i went through this in january its super stressful! definitely try WorkSource first, they have those rapid reemployment programs that sometimes can give emergency assistance. i got help with my electricity bill while i was waiting for my first paycheck at my new job. also look into the rental assistance programs, the application process takes a while but its worth trying.
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Keisha Thompson
•Thank you - I'll reach out to my WorkSource counselor tomorrow. I've been doing their workshops but didn't realize they had emergency assistance programs too. Every little bit helps right now.
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Javier Morales
One more thing to check - sometimes you can qualify for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) if your job loss was related to foreign trade impacts. It's a separate program that provides benefits beyond regular UI. Not applicable to everyone but worth checking if your manufacturing job was outsourced or affected by imports.
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Connor O'Brien
•thats only if ur whole company shut down or had massive layoffs bc of foreign competition tho. u cant apply individually, the company has to be certified by the dept of labor
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Keisha Thompson
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'm going to try calling ESD tomorrow to see if my temp work might qualify me for anything new, and I'll definitely check with WorkSource about emergency assistance programs. Will update if I learn anything that might help others in the same boat. Fingers crossed something works out soon.
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Natasha Petrov
•Good luck! The job market usually picks up in spring, so hopefully you'll find something permanent soon. Don't forget to keep documenting all your job search activities even if your UI is exhausted - that way if you do become eligible for a new claim, you won't have any gaps in your job search documentation.
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