Washington ESD unemployment eligibility when work permit expires - need help

I'm in the process of renewing but it takes months to get approved. So there might be a gap between when my current permit expires and when the new one comes through.

That gap period would be problematic for UI eligibility. You'd need valid work authorization to continue receiving benefits.

I've been trying to call for weeks but can never get through. Their phone lines are always busy or I get disconnected after waiting for hours.

I had the same problem reaching Washington ESD until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to actual agents - check out claimyr.com. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much time and frustration.

That's not entirely accurate. Once your work authorization expires, you're no longer eligible regardless of when you initially filed. The eligibility requirements are ongoing, not just at the time of filing.

Thanks for the clarification. I wasn't sure about the ongoing requirements vs initial filing requirements.

Did you end up getting your status renewed before it expired? What did you do during the gap period?

I was lucky and got approved for an extension just before my old status expired. But I had a backup plan to return to my home country if needed. The uncertainty was really stressful.

Contributing to the system gives you the right to apply, but you still have to meet ongoing eligibility requirements. One of those requirements is being authorized to work. It's not just about what you paid in - it's about your current ability to accept employment.

That makes sense I guess. Still seems harsh though for people who've been working and paying taxes for years.

I'm still employed though. Can you file for unemployment while you're still working?

No, you generally can't file while still employed full-time. You'd need to be laid off or have your hours reduced significantly. I was thinking if you knew you were going to lose your job soon because of the permit expiring.

I understand the frustration but these are federal requirements that Washington ESD has to follow. They don't have discretion to ignore work authorization rules.

Still doesn't make it right. These are real people with real bills to pay.

I have an EAD card that's expiring. I'm applying for renewal of the same status but the processing times are really long right now.

EAD renewals can definitely take a while. Have you looked into expedited processing if you qualify? Sometimes there are options for urgent situations.

That's exactly what I'm worried about. How long did the adjudication take?

Like 8 weeks I think? And they had to pay back some of the benefits they received during the gap period. It was a mess.

I'll check out Claimyr. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get through to someone at Washington ESD.

I used Claimyr too when I had adjudication issues. Worth it just for the peace of mind of actually talking to someone who knows the rules.

I'm definitely job hunting but the market is tough right now. I'm not sure what other benefits would be available - do you know of any?

Depends on your situation but there might be local assistance programs or food banks that don't have the same work authorization requirements. Worth looking into.

Yeah, I'm starting to understand that. It's frustrating but I guess I need to focus on what I can control.

I haven't but that's a good idea. Even if it costs money upfront, it might save me from bigger problems later.

Exactly. Many offer free consultations too, so you could at least get some initial advice without spending anything.

That might be my backup plan too. Hopefully it doesn't come to that but good to know others have managed similar situations.

Definitely planning to be completely transparent. The last thing I need is to owe money back to Washington ESD on top of everything else.

That's the right approach. Honesty from the start will save you a lot of headaches later, even if it means you don't qualify for benefits.

Good point. I'll make sure to report any status changes right away if I do end up filing for benefits.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I'm going to try Claimyr to reach Washington ESD and also look into talking to an immigration attorney. At least now I have a better understanding of what I'm dealing with.

Good luck! Hope you get through to someone at Washington ESD soon and get some clarity on your situation.