What happens if your unemployment runs out - Washington ESD benefits ending soon

When your regular unemployment benefits exhaust, Washington ESD will automatically check if you qualify for Extended Benefits (EB). This depends on the state's unemployment rate. If EB isn't available, you might qualify for a new benefit year if you've worked enough since your original claim started. You don't need to do anything - they'll send you a letter explaining your options.

I went through this exact same situation last year. My benefits ran out and I was terrified but Washington ESD automatically enrolled me in Extended Benefits for another 13 weeks. The payments were the same amount as my regular UI. Just keep doing your weekly claims and job search requirements.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your benefit status, I recently discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to an actual agent without waiting on hold for hours. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helpful when you need to talk to someone about your benefit year ending.

Important thing to remember - even if Extended Benefits aren't available, you can still apply for other assistance programs like SNAP or temporary assistance while you continue job searching. Don't let your benefits ending be the end of the world. There are other safety nets available.

whatever you do dont stop filing your weekly claims!! even if your benefits pause or end you need to keep filing to maintain your claim status. i made that mistake and it was a nightmare to get everything sorted out again

The whole system is so confusing. I wish Washington ESD would just send clear information about what happens when benefits end instead of making everyone guess and panic.

One more thing - if Extended Benefits aren't available and you don't qualify for a new benefit year, you can also check if you qualify for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation if there are any federal extensions available. These federal programs come and go based on economic conditions and congressional action.

Check your benefit year ending date in your Washington ESD account. Sometimes people think their benefits are ending but they actually qualify for a new benefit year if they worked enough hours since their original claim.

I'm in the same boat as you OP. My benefits end in 3 weeks and I'm terrified. Been applying to jobs every week but this market is brutal. At least knowing about Extended Benefits makes me feel a little better.

If you need to speak with someone at Washington ESD about your benefit year ending, definitely try Claimyr. I used it twice when I had complex questions about my claim status and it saved me hours of trying to get through on the phone. Way better than the callback system they have.

The Washington ESD website has a section about benefit exhaustion but it's buried in their FAQ section. Basically they'll automatically review your eligibility for Extended Benefits and send you a determination letter. If you don't qualify for EB, they'll check if you can establish a new benefit year.

Don't panic yet! Extended Benefits are pretty common and Washington usually qualifies. I went through this in 2019 and got an extra 20 weeks of benefits. Just keep doing everything you're supposed to do and wait for their letter.

Make sure you're documenting all your job search activities properly. Even if your benefits end temporarily, having good records will help if you need to prove you were actively seeking work during any gap period.

Update us when you hear from Washington ESD about your benefit exhaustion! I'm curious what they tell you since I might be in the same situation in a few months.

The waiting is the worst part. Washington ESD should really send out information earlier about what happens when benefits end instead of making people stressed out about it.

If all else fails and you don't qualify for Extended Benefits, remember that you can reapply for unemployment later if you do find work and then lose it again. Your benefit history doesn't disappear.

One last thing about Claimyr - if you do need to call Washington ESD about your benefit year ending, they can help you get through to the right department. I found that the regular customer service line sometimes transfers you around but Claimyr helped me reach someone who could actually answer my specific questions about benefit exhaustion.

Bottom line - don't stress too much about this. Washington ESD has processes in place for when benefits exhaust. They'll automatically check your eligibility for extensions and notify you of your options. Just keep filing your weekly claims and job searching while you wait for their determination.

Good luck OP! Hopefully Extended Benefits will be available and you'll have more time to find the right job instead of having to take just anything out of desperation.

Keep us posted on what happens! This thread has been really informative about benefit exhaustion and I'm sure other people will find it helpful too.