Washington ESD unemployment benefits - does unemployment run out and what happens next?
I'm getting close to the end of my regular unemployment benefits from Washington ESD and I'm starting to panic. I've been collecting for about 22 weeks now and I know there's a limit but I'm not sure exactly when it runs out or what happens after. I still haven't found a job despite doing all the job search requirements through WorkSource. Does anyone know how many weeks you can collect in Washington state? And is there anything else available after regular UI runs out? I really need to know what to expect because I'm barely making ends meet as it is.
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Freya Andersen
In Washington state, regular unemployment insurance (UI) typically lasts for 26 weeks maximum. However, the exact number of weeks depends on your work history and earnings during your base period. You can check your remaining weeks by logging into your Washington ESD account online.
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Malik Jenkins
•Thanks! I'll check my account. I think I'm at week 23 or 24 so I'm definitely getting close.
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Eduardo Silva
•Yeah I maxed out at 26 weeks too. There used to be extended benefits during the pandemic but those are gone now.
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Leila Haddad
Once your regular UI runs out, that's pretty much it unless there's an economic downturn that triggers extended benefits. The state doesn't automatically extend them anymore like they did during COVID. You might want to look into other assistance programs though.
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Malik Jenkins
•What kind of other programs? I've been looking but everything seems to have really long waiting lists.
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Leila Haddad
•Food assistance, housing assistance, utility help through LIHEAP. Also check with WorkSource about training programs that might come with some financial support.
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Emma Johnson
I was in the same boat last year. Had to get really creative with my job search and ended up taking a job that paid less than what I was making before. It sucks but you gotta do what you gotta do. The pressure definitely increases when you know the benefits are ending.
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Malik Jenkins
•That's what I'm worried about - having to take something that pays way less. But I guess something is better than nothing.
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Ravi Patel
•Don't give up on finding something decent though. I held out and found something that actually paid more than my old job. Took 8 months total but it worked out.
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Astrid Bergström
If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your benefits or ask questions, I discovered this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach a real person. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.
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Malik Jenkins
•Really? How does that work? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks to get clarification on my remaining weeks but can never get through.
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Astrid Bergström
•It basically calls for you and waits in the queue, then connects you when someone picks up. Way better than sitting there hitting redial for hours.
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PixelPrincess
•I've heard of this but wasn't sure if it was legit. Might be worth trying if you really need to talk to someone at ESD.
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Eduardo Silva
The 26 weeks is the standard but some people get less depending on their work history. I only got 20 weeks because I hadn't worked long enough I guess. It's all based on some complicated formula they use.
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Malik Jenkins
•Oh wow, I didn't know it could be less than 26 weeks. That makes me even more nervous about checking my account.
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Freya Andersen
•Yeah it's based on your earnings in the base period. If you worked consistently for over a year before filing, you'll likely get the full 26 weeks.
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Ravi Patel
One thing to keep in mind is that you might be able to file a new claim if it's been a full year since your original claim date and you've worked enough hours. But you'd need to have worked after your original claim started.
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Malik Jenkins
•I haven't worked at all since I filed my claim, so I don't think that would apply to me.
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Ravi Patel
•Right, you'd need to have earned wages during your benefit year to qualify for a new claim. Just something to keep in mind for the future.
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Omar Farouk
Ugh this is so stressful. I'm in week 18 and already panicking about what happens when it runs out. The job market is still pretty rough even though they say it's getting better.
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Malik Jenkins
•I know exactly how you feel. It's like this constant countdown in your head. Have you been doing the WorkSource job search stuff?
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Omar Farouk
•Yeah I've been doing everything they require but most jobs either don't respond or they want experience I don't have. It's frustrating.
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Chloe Martin
•Same here. I've applied to probably 200+ jobs and gotten maybe 5 interviews. It's demoralizing but you gotta keep trying.
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Diego Fernández
I maxed out my benefits last month and let me tell you, it's a rude awakening when that last payment comes. Make sure you're preparing financially now and maybe look into part-time work to bridge the gap.
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Malik Jenkins
•Did you find anything after your benefits ended? I'm trying to figure out what my backup plan should be.
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Diego Fernández
•I found a part-time job that's not great but it's something. Still looking for full-time work though. The key is to not get too picky when you're running out of options.
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
Check if your county has any emergency assistance programs. Some places have short-term help for people who've exhausted unemployment. Also look into food banks and other community resources.
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Malik Jenkins
•Good idea. I should probably start researching that now instead of waiting until the last minute.
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Sean Fitzgerald
•211 is a good resource for finding local assistance programs. Just dial 2-1-1 and they can help you find what's available in your area.
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Zara Khan
The worst part is that Washington ESD doesn't give you much warning. Like you get a notice saying your benefits will end soon but by then you're already scrambling.
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Malik Jenkins
•That's exactly what I'm trying to avoid. I want to be prepared instead of caught off guard.
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MoonlightSonata
•Smart thinking. I wish I had planned better when mine ran out. Had to move back in with family temporarily.
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Mateo Gonzalez
If you do need to contact Washington ESD about your benefits, definitely try that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. I used it last week and actually got through to someone after trying to call for weeks on my own. The waiting on hold was brutal but at least I got answers.
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Malik Jenkins
•I'm definitely going to try that. I need to know exactly how many weeks I have left and what my options are.
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Nia Williams
•Yeah the phone lines are impossible otherwise. I gave up trying to call the regular way months ago.
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Luca Ricci
Don't forget that you can't just stop looking for work when your benefits are about to end. If you do find a job later and need to file a new claim, they'll look at whether you were actively seeking work during any gaps.
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Malik Jenkins
•Good point. I'll keep doing the job search requirements even after benefits end just in case.
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Aisha Mohammed
•Yeah they're pretty strict about that. Better to keep all your documentation organized.
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Ethan Campbell
Has anyone looked into gig work or freelancing as a backup? I know it's not ideal but it might help bridge the gap until you find something permanent.
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Malik Jenkins
•I've thought about it but I'm worried about how it would affect any future unemployment claims if I need to file again.
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Ethan Campbell
•As long as you report the income properly, gig work can actually help establish earnings for a future claim. Just make sure to keep good records.
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Yuki Watanabe
•Yeah I did DoorDash for a while after my benefits ended. It's not great money but it's something, and it kept me from having a big gap in work history.
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Carmen Sanchez
The timing really sucks because we're heading into the holidays and a lot of companies slow down their hiring. Might be worth looking at seasonal retail jobs even if they're temporary.
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Malik Jenkins
•That's a good idea. Even if it's just temporary, it would give me some income and keep me working.
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Andre Dupont
•Plus some seasonal jobs turn into permanent positions if you do well. Worth a shot.
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Zoe Papadakis
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but when your benefits run out, that's really it unless there's another recession or major economic event. The extended benefits that were available during COVID are gone and probably won't come back unless things get really bad again.
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Malik Jenkins
•Yeah I figured that was the case. Just hoping I can find something before I hit the wall.
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ThunderBolt7
•Same situation here. It's scary but we just have to keep pushing forward and hope something works out.
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Jamal Edwards
One last thing - if you do exhaust your benefits and later find work, you might be eligible for retraining programs through WorkSource if your industry has been affected by economic changes. They sometimes offer financial support during training.
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Malik Jenkins
•That's interesting. I'll have to look into what programs are available. Maybe I could use this as an opportunity to learn new skills.
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Mei Chen
•Definitely worth exploring. Some of those programs even have job placement assistance when you finish.
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Liam O'Sullivan
Thanks everyone for all the advice. This has been really helpful. I feel like I have a better understanding of what to expect and some backup options to look into. Going to start preparing now instead of waiting until the last minute.
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Freya Andersen
•Good luck! The fact that you're planning ahead puts you in a better position than a lot of people.
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Astrid Bergström
•Definitely use Claimyr to get through to Washington ESD if you need to verify anything about your benefits. Knowledge is power in this situation.
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Amara Okonkwo
•Wishing you the best. It's a tough situation but you'll get through it. Keep us posted on how things go.
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