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

So I just get nothing? That seems impossible, there has to be something available for people who still can't find work.

You might qualify for other assistance programs like SNAP or TANF, but not more unemployment benefits unless you worked enough to start a new claim.

I did work a few temp jobs but only made maybe $2000 total. Is that enough to qualify for a new claim?

You need to have earned at least $3,850 in your base period to qualify for minimum benefits. Check your wage history on your account to see if you meet the requirements.

The base period calculation is confusing though. I tried to figure mine out and got lost in all the quarters and dates.

That sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost? I'm already broke.

It's worth checking out their site for pricing details. For me it was cheaper than missing more potential benefits by not understanding the system.

I used Claimyr too when I had adjudication issues. Super easy to use and actually gets you connected instead of sitting on hold for hours.

I feel your pain. The lack of communication from Washington ESD is ridiculous. Have you tried calling right at 8am when they open?

Yes! I've tried everything - calling at 8am, calling during lunch, calling late afternoon. Either busy signal or I get disconnected after waiting forever.

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr above. The regular phone system is broken but they have a way to bypass all that nonsense.

Good idea, I forgot about WorkSource. Do they have financial assistance or is it just job placement help?

Mostly job placement and training programs, but they can connect you to other resources for emergency assistance with utilities and stuff.

Yes, if you earned enough during your benefit year you might qualify for a new claim. Gig work counts as wages if you got 1099s for it.

how do i know if i earned enough? is there a calculator somewhere on the washington esd website?

Look at your quarterly wage reports in your account. You need at least $3,850 in wages during your base period to qualify for minimum benefits.

What's the difference? This is all so confusing.

Benefit exhaustion means you used up all your money but your claim year might still be active. You can only file a new claim after your benefit year expires, which is 52 weeks from when you first filed.

Unless you have a valid new claim with sufficient wages, then you can file during your benefit year. The rules are complicated.

Where do I apply for these programs? Through DSHS?

Yes, DSHS for SNAP and TANF. For housing and utilities check with your county's community action program and local nonprofits.

At least I'm not alone in this. What kind of work are you looking for?

Office admin stuff mostly but everything wants experience with software I don't know or pays way too little to survive on.

Have you looked into the training programs through WorkSource? They can pay for you to learn new software skills while you're job searching.

Should I keep filing weekly claims even if my benefits are exhausted? I thought there was no point.

Yes, keep filing until your benefit year ends. Sometimes there are adjustments or additional benefits that get added to accounts, and you have to be filing to receive them.

this is good advice, i stopped filing when mine ran out and later found out i missed some payments because of wage adjustments

Seriously? So I need to keep doing the weekly claims even with zero benefits just in case?

That's what I've heard from multiple people. The system is unpredictable and they don't always notify you about adjustments.

Ok you've convinced me to at least look at their website. The regular phone system has been completely useless.

Same here, going to check out that video demo. I've wasted so many hours on hold just to get disconnected.

The messaging system is basically worthless. I've never gotten a response to any message I've sent through the website.

I got a response once after 3 weeks and it was just telling me to call the phone number. Completely unhelpful.

This is exactly why services like Claimyr exist. The official communication channels are broken.

How would I know if extended benefits become available? Would Washington ESD notify me automatically?

They should notify you, but don't count on it. You'd probably hear about it on the news first. Extended benefits are tied to state unemployment rates and federal legislation.

Good luck! At least we're not going into this blind. I'm going to follow the advice here and check my wage history first thing Monday.

Yeah, and I'm definitely going to look into that Claimyr service if I can't get through to Washington ESD the normal way.

I've been doing job searches anyway since I actually need a job, but good point about keeping records just in case.

Exactly right. Keep your job search log updated until your benefit year officially ends, even with exhausted benefits.

Right? Like a simple email explaining your options would save everyone so much stress and confusion.

They do have information on their website about benefit exhaustion, but it's buried and hard to understand. The communication could definitely be better.

What other programs did you end up qualifying for? I have no idea what's even available.

I got SNAP benefits and some utility assistance through the county. Also did a training program through WorkSource that helped me get better job skills. It took a few months but I eventually found work.

This is great advice. The sooner you apply for assistance programs, the sooner you can get help. Some have long waiting lists.

So even if I qualify for a new claim, I might get less money than before?

Possibly, yes. If your qualifying wages are lower than your previous claim, your weekly benefit amount will be lower too. But something is better than nothing.

Thank you for all the advice everyone. I feel much less panicked now that I have a plan of action. Going to start making calls and applications Monday morning.

Same here. This thread has been more helpful than anything I found on the official Washington ESD website.

This is super helpful! I had no idea there was a pre-screening tool that could check multiple programs at once. That sounds way more efficient than trying to figure out what I might qualify for on my own. Going to check out Washington Connection along with everything else mentioned here. Thanks for sharing!