What does it mean when your unemployment is exhausted - Washington ESD benefits ending?

Benefits exhausted means you've used up all 26 weeks of regular unemployment insurance available on your current claim year. Unfortunately, there's no automatic extension like there was during COVID with PEUC. You can't restart or extend the same claim.

You might be able to file a new claim if you've earned enough wages since your benefit year began. Washington ESD requires you to have worked at least 680 hours and earned wages in at least two quarters during your base period for a new claim.

Had the same thing happen last year. Tried calling Washington ESD dozens of times to understand my options but could never get through. Ended up using Claimyr.com to actually reach someone who explained everything clearly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

this happened to me too and i was freaking out!! turns out if you worked any temp jobs or gig work during your claim you might qualify for a whole new benefit year

Important distinction here - 'exhausted' refers to using all weeks available on your current claim, while 'expired' would mean your benefit year ended. Even if exhausted, you might still be within your benefit year timeframe to file a new claim if you have qualifying wages.

Check your online account to see your exact benefit year dates. Even with exhausted benefits, if you're still within the 52-week benefit year and have new qualifying wages, you can potentially establish a new claim. The base period calculation is key here.

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CUT PEOPLE OFF!! they make it so confusing with all these terms like exhausted vs expired. most people just give up instead of fighting for what they deserve

Same boat here. Exhausted my regular UI after exactly 26 weeks and felt lost. Turned out I had worked enough temp assignments during my claim period to qualify for a brand new claim with fresh weeks available.

Quick question - does gig work like Uber or DoorDash count toward new claim eligibility? I did some of that while collecting benefits but wasn't sure if it matters for Washington ESD calculations.

Don't forget about the job search requirements even when your benefits are exhausted. If you do qualify for a new claim, Washington ESD will expect you to have maintained your job search activities continuously.

Just want to follow up on the Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier - it really did help me get clear answers about my exhausted benefits situation. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person instead of trying to decode all the confusing notices and website language.

Another thing to consider - if you don't qualify for a new UI claim, there might be other assistance programs available while you continue job searching. Don't assume unemployment insurance is your only option.

been there! exhausted benefits are scary but not necessarily the end. file for a new claim online and see what happens - worst case they say no but at least you'll know for sure

The timing matters too. If you're close to the end of your benefit year, you want to get any new claim filed before that year expires completely. Once the benefit year is over, your options become more limited.

I'm confused about the base period thing. If I file a new claim now, does it use wages from when I was working before my original claim, or wages I earned while collecting benefits?

Just want to add that when benefits are exhausted, you should still report any work or income on your weekly claims if you're still filing them. Some people stop filing but you might need to continue depending on your situation.

The whole exhausted vs expired thing trips everyone up. Washington ESD really should make this clearer. Exhausted = used all your weeks. Expired = benefit year is over. Two totally different situations with different options.

Bottom line advice: check your wages, check your benefit year dates, and file a new claim if you think you might qualify. Don't assume exhausted benefits mean you're out of options. I got another 26 weeks after my first claim was exhausted.

One more tip - if you do file a new claim and it gets approved, your weekly benefit amount might be different than your original claim since it's based on more recent wages. Could be higher or lower depending on what you earned.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info. I was really worried when I got that exhausted benefits notice but now I understand there might still be options. Going to gather my wage info and file a new claim tomorrow!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation where my benefits just got exhausted and I was panicking. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key things to check are: 1) your benefit year end date, 2) any wages you earned during your claim period, and 3) whether those wages meet the 680 hours and two-quarter requirements for a new claim. Going to pull together all my employment records from the past year and see if I qualify. Really appreciate how supportive this community is - makes dealing with Washington ESD's confusing system much less overwhelming.