Washington ESD benefits exhausted - what happens when my unemployment money runs out?

When your regular UI benefits are exhausted in Washington, you might be eligible for Extended Benefits (EB) depending on the state's unemployment rate. However, EB isn't automatically activated - it depends on specific economic triggers. You'll need to check your SecureAccess Washington account to see if EB is available when your regular claim ends.

Thanks for the info! How do I know if the triggers are met? Is there somewhere on the Washington ESD website that shows this?

Yes, Washington ESD posts EB availability on their website. They also send notices through your online account when your regular benefits are about to end with information about any available extensions.

ugh this happened to me last year and it was such a nightmare trying to get through to anyone at Washington ESD to ask questions about it. spent hours on hold just to get disconnected

I had the same problem! But I found this service called Claimyr that actually helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Really? How does that work exactly? I'm so tired of wasting entire days trying to call them.

Basically they handle the calling process for you and get you connected to an actual agent. Way better than sitting on hold for hours just to get hung up on.

I think the maximum for regular benefits is 26 weeks, so if you're at 22 weeks you're definitely getting close. Make sure you're keeping up with your job search requirements because they get stricter when you're nearing exhaustion.

Good point about the job search requirements. Do they change the number of contacts I need to make?

I believe it stays at 3 job search activities per week, but they might scrutinize your WorkSourceWA log more carefully. Make sure you're documenting everything properly.

Extended Benefits aren't guaranteed anymore like they used to be. It really depends on whether Washington's unemployment rate is high enough to trigger the program. During COVID everyone got extensions but that's not the case now.

This is correct. The triggers are based on unemployment rates compared to previous years. If the state's rate isn't significantly higher than historical averages, EB won't be available.

So basically I might just be out of luck if the unemployment rate isn't high enough? That's terrifying.

You should also look into other assistance programs if your benefits run out. SNAP, utility assistance, maybe temporary cash assistance depending on your situation. Washington has several safety net programs.

I hadn't thought about other programs. Do you know if receiving those would affect my job search requirements?

SNAP has its own work requirements but they're separate from unemployment. You'd still need to be available for work and actively searching if you want to be eligible for any future unemployment benefits.

whatever you do dont stop filing your weekly claims even if your balance hits zero! i made that mistake and it was a huge pain to reopen my claim later

This is really important advice. Even if you're not receiving payments, continuing to file keeps your claim active in case extensions become available.

Wait, so I should keep filing even with a $0 balance? I thought the claim would just automatically close.

yes keep filing! it maintains your claim status and if EB kicks in later you wont have gaps in coverage

If you need to speak with Washington ESD about your options before your benefits run out, I'd definitely recommend using Claimyr to get through. I used them when I had questions about my claim status and got connected within minutes instead of waiting hours.

Is this service legit? Sounds too good to be true tbh

Yeah it's legitimate. They don't ask for any personal info about your claim, they just help you get through the phone system to talk to an actual Washington ESD agent.

I exhausted my benefits about 6 months ago and Extended Benefits weren't available then. Had to pivot to gig work to make ends meet while continuing my job search. Not ideal but better than nothing.

How did gig work affect your ability to look for full-time employment? Did you have to report that income anywhere?

If you earn any income you'd need to report it on your weekly claims if you're still filing them. For gig work, just keep track of your gross earnings.

Check if your county has any local assistance programs too. Some counties in Washington have their own emergency assistance for people who've exhausted unemployment.

That's a good idea. I'm in King County - do you know if they have anything specific?

King County has several programs through their Department of Community and Human Services. Worth checking their website or calling 211 for information.

The system is so broken honestly. They make it impossible to get through when you have questions and then just cut you off when your 26 weeks are up regardless of whether you've found work or not.

I get the frustration but the 26-week limit has been standard for decades. Extended Benefits are meant to be triggered only during periods of especially high unemployment.

Still doesn't help people who are genuinely looking for work but can't find anything in this job market. 26 weeks isn't always enough.

Make sure you understand the difference between your benefit year ending and exhausting your benefits. These are two different things that can affect your eligibility for extensions differently.

Can you explain that difference? I thought they were the same thing.

Your benefit year is the 52-week period from when you first filed. You can exhaust your benefits (use up all your dollar amount) before your benefit year ends. Extensions typically require you to have exhausted regular benefits within your benefit year.

honestly if i were you id try to stretch those last $800 as long as possible by reporting any small amounts of work you can find. even like $50 a week can extend how long your claim lasts

Be careful with this advice. You still need to report all earnings truthfully. The goal should be finding sustainable employment, not gaming the system.

im not saying dont report earnings im saying look for part time work to supplement while job searching. totally legitimate

Have you looked into retraining programs? WorkSource Washington sometimes has funding for people who've exhausted benefits to get new skills.

I haven't looked into that yet. Do you know if they provide income support during training?

Some programs do provide stipends or continued benefit payments while you're in approved training. You'd need to check with your local WorkSource office about what's available.

The timing of when EB gets activated is really unpredictable. I've seen it turn on and off multiple times depending on how the unemployment rates calculate out each quarter.

So it could potentially become available after my benefits end? Should I keep checking?

It's possible but don't count on it. The triggers are pretty specific and with unemployment rates relatively low in Washington right now, it's unlikely.

Just went through this same thing 2 months ago. No extended benefits were available so I had to file for state food assistance and look into temporary work through staffing agencies. It's tough but there are options.

How long did it take you to find something through staffing agencies?

About 3 weeks to get something temporary, but I kept looking for permanent work. Actually found my current job about 6 weeks after my benefits ended.

If you need to call Washington ESD about this, definitely use Claimyr. I was stressing about my benefits ending and needed to talk to someone but couldn't get through. Claimyr got me connected the same day and I was able to get all my questions answered about what happens next.

That sounds really helpful. I've been putting off calling because I know it's going to be a huge hassle.

Yeah it saved me so much time and stress. Way better than spending your whole day on hold for nothing.

also keep in mind that if you do find work after your benefits end, you might be able to file a new claim later if you lose that job and meet the earnings requirements again.

Good to know! So exhausting benefits doesn't permanently disqualify me from future claims?

Right, as long as you earn enough in covered employment to establish a new claim, you can file again if you become unemployed later.

Whatever happens, don't give up on your job search. I know it's discouraging when benefits are running out but persistence pays off. Took me 8 months but I finally found something.

Thanks for the encouragement. It's definitely getting harder to stay motivated as the money runs low.

I totally understand that feeling. Just remember that even if unemployment runs out, it doesn't mean you stop being unemployed or stop deserving support. There are other resources out there.

I'm in a similar situation - about 20 weeks into my claim and starting to worry about what comes next. This thread has been really helpful! I didn't know about continuing to file weekly claims even with a $0 balance. One thing I'd add is to make sure you're networking as much as possible during these last few weeks. I've found that a lot of opportunities come through personal connections rather than just online applications. Also, if you haven't already, consider reaching out to local career centers or libraries - many offer free resume reviews and job search workshops that can give you an edge. Hang in there!