What happens when Washington ESD unemployment benefits run out - options?

That's what I was afraid of hearing. I've worked some part-time gigs but nothing substantial enough for a new claim.

Wait, I thought there was something called extended benefits? Or am I thinking of the old PEUC program?

Extended Benefits only trigger when unemployment rates hit certain thresholds in Washington state. We're not at those levels currently, so EB isn't available.

Do I need to do anything special to get EB or does it happen automatically? I'm still doing my job searches every week.

It's usually automatic if you're eligible, but you should keep filing your weekly claims. The EB program depends on state unemployment rates so it's not always available.

How did you manage financially? I'm already behind on rent and was counting on having more time to find something decent.

Honestly, I had to take a job that paid way less than I wanted just to keep some money coming in. Applied for food assistance and talked to my landlord about a payment plan.

Yeah the phone system is impossible! I've tried calling so many times but always get hung up on.

I had the same problem trying to reach Washington ESD about benefit exhaustion. Found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to speak with an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Really helped me understand my options when my benefits were running out.

Good point, I hadn't thought about other programs. Do you know if there's a waiting period between UI ending and applying for other benefits?

Most other programs don't have waiting periods like UI does. You can usually apply right away, but processing times vary.

You can only file a new claim if you've worked enough hours and earned enough wages since your last claim started. Most people who exhaust benefits haven't worked enough to qualify for a new benefit year.

oh ok that makes sense, thanks for clarifying. I was getting confused about the benefit year vs benefit exhaustion thing.

I've tried calling so many times but always get the busy signal or get disconnected. Never heard of Claimyr - is it legit?

Yeah it's a real service. Basically they handle the calling and waiting for you so you don't have to sit on hold for hours. Worth trying if you need to discuss your options with Washington ESD.

Claimyr sounds too good to be true. How much do they charge for this?

Exactly! I shouldn't have to hunt around online trying to figure out if there's help available when my benefits end.

tbh the communication from washington esd has always been terrible. half the time their letters don't make sense anyway

I feel your frustration but unfortunately the rules are set by federal and state law. Washington ESD doesn't have the authority to just create extensions.

Well then the laws need to change! 26 weeks isn't enough time in this job market, especially for older workers like me.

I looked into that but most of the programs I saw were for healthcare or IT, and I'm not sure I want to completely change careers at this point.

There are programs for other fields too, including some that help with certifications in your current industry. Worth checking with your local WorkSource office.

The retraining programs can be good but they're competitive. I applied for three different ones and only got into one.

I've been doing some gig work but it's so unpredictable. Some weeks I make decent money, other weeks almost nothing.

Yeah the gig economy is rough. Maybe try to find something more stable like retail or food service as a temporary bridge?

You need to have earned enough wages in covered employment during your base period to qualify for a new claim. Part-time or gig work might not be enough depending on the amounts.

So if I worked a few weeks at a temp job while collecting benefits, that probably wouldn't count toward a new claim?

It depends on how much you earned and whether it was covered employment. You'd need to check with Washington ESD to see if you have enough wage credits for a new claim.

I check my account every day but don't see anything about EB yet. Should I be worried if it doesn't show up before my benefits end?

Not necessarily. EB determination often happens right around when regular benefits exhaust. Keep filing your weekly claims no matter what.

How much did it cost? I'm already strapped for cash and don't want to spend money if I don't have to.

It was worth it for me considering how much time I was wasting trying to call myself. Check their website claimyr.com for current info.

How are you managing with the pay cut? I'm worried about taking something that low because I have fixed expenses.

It's been hard. Had to cut back on everything and I'm still looking for something better. But having some income is better than none.

Sometimes you have to take what you can get just to survive. Keep applying for better positions while you're working.

How does that work with the job search requirements? Do you still have to look for full-time work if you're working part-time?

Yeah you still have to do your job searches and be available for full-time work. The part-time work can't interfere with accepting a full-time job offer.

Thanks, I hadn't thought of that. Are there usually wait lists for these programs?

Some have wait lists, others are first-come first-served. Best to apply as soon as possible rather than wait until you're completely out of money.

Those were special programs created during recessions or emergencies like COVID. They're not permanent parts of the unemployment system.

that sucks, 26 weeks goes by fast when you're trying to find a decent job and not just any job

That's interesting, where would I find information about those programs?

WorkSource Washington offices usually have information about training programs. Some allow you to extend your UI benefits while in approved training.

Thanks, that's reassuring. I did do some gig work early in my claim period so maybe that counts toward a new benefit year?

Gig work can count if you paid into the UI system on those earnings. You'd need to check if the work was subject to unemployment taxes.

I know exactly what you mean. The anxiety makes everything harder. Try to focus on networking and don't just rely on online applications.

Yeah I've been trying to get better about that. It's hard when you're naturally introverted though.

Wait, those are different? I thought they were the same thing. Can you explain the difference?

Your benefit year is 52 weeks from when you first filed. Benefit exhaustion is when you've used up all your eligible weeks of payment. You could exhaust benefits before your benefit year ends, or your benefit year could end before you exhaust.

Don't stress about it too much yet. 8 weeks is plenty of time to figure out your next steps and hopefully find employment.

I've heard about those but wasn't sure if they were available to people my age. I'm in my 40s.

Many apprenticeships don't have age limits. Check with the Department of Labor and Industries for programs in Washington state.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already stretched thin financially.

It was definitely worth it for the peace of mind. Getting actual answers from Washington ESD about my situation was huge when I was stressed about benefits ending.

I've been keeping my job search log updated in the Washington ESD system. Is that enough or should I be keeping separate records too?

The online log is good but I always recommend keeping your own backup records. Systems can glitch and you don't want to lose that information.

Because that would be too helpful! Washington ESD seems to prefer keeping people in the dark about their options.

There is information on their website, but it's scattered across different pages and not very user-friendly. The benefit exhaustion info is there but you have to know where to look.

Good point. I've been reporting all my odd jobs and gig work even though it reduces my weekly payment.

That's a really good suggestion. I should probably start researching those options now rather than waiting until the last minute.

Exactly. It's much easier to access help when you're planning ahead rather than when you're in crisis mode.

So I should keep checking even after my benefits end? How would I know if EB becomes available?

Washington ESD usually posts announcements on their website when EB becomes available. You'd need to keep filing weekly claims to be eligible when it starts.

Really? So I should keep filing even if I'm not getting paid? That seems weird but I'll do it if that's what it takes.

Yes! The system needs to see that you're still available and looking for work. If you stop filing, you could lose eligibility for any extended programs.

This is correct. Continuing to file weekly claims maintains your eligibility for any extended benefits that might become available.

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

Thank you! I feel much more prepared now. Going to keep up the job search and make sure I understand all my options before my benefits end.

Oh god, I forgot about that. COBRA is crazy expensive. I guess I'll have to look into Medicaid or the health insurance marketplace.

Yeah definitely look into Medicaid first since you'll have little to no income. The marketplace plans can be subsidized based on income too.

You're right. I think I was hoping something would work out before I hit that wall, but I need to be more realistic about preparing for it.

It's hard to accept but being proactive now will save you a lot of stress later. Even temporary work gives you some breathing room to find something better.

At this point I'm willing to try anything. I feel like I'm flying blind and making assumptions about what's available.

That's exactly how I felt. Getting clear information from an actual Washington ESD agent made a huge difference in my planning.

That's something I hadn't considered - taking temporary work as a way to potentially qualify for benefits again later.

Exactly. It's not ideal but it's a way to potentially reset your eligibility clock while keeping some income coming in.

I know it's scary but at least we're not alone in dealing with this. There are resources out there even if they're not as good as regular UI.

true, thanks for asking this question because I learned a lot from the responses

Good point. I've been keeping a spreadsheet of applications but wasn't sure if I needed to continue that after benefits end.

Better to keep doing it just in case. It's also helpful for your own tracking to see what approaches are working and which aren't.

Good luck! It's a tough situation but having a plan will help you get through it.

Hope things work out for you. Don't forget about trying to get through to Washington ESD if you need clarification on anything - that's what they're there for.