What happens when my unemployment claim balance runs out - Washington ESD
I'm getting close to exhausting my UI benefits and I'm starting to panic. My claim balance shows I have maybe 3 more weeks left of payments. I've been on unemployment for about 22 weeks now and still haven't found steady work. What exactly happens when the balance hits zero? Do I automatically get extended benefits or do I have to reapply? I'm really worried about losing my income completely. Has anyone been through this process with Washington ESD recently?
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Esteban Tate
When your regular UI benefits run out, you might be eligible for Extended Benefits (EB) if the state unemployment rate is high enough. Washington ESD will automatically check your eligibility and notify you if you qualify. You don't need to reapply - they'll send you a determination letter.
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Alice Pierce
•That's a relief! Do you know what the current unemployment rate trigger is for EB in Washington?
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Esteban Tate
•The trigger rate changes, but it's usually around 6.5% for the state rate. You can check the current status on the Washington ESD website under Extended Benefits.
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Ivanna St. Pierre
same thing happened to me last year, my regular benefits ran out after 26 weeks and i was freaking out but then i got a letter saying i was eligible for extended benefits. the payments were the same amount as my regular ui
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Alice Pierce
•How long did it take to get the letter after your balance hit zero?
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Ivanna St. Pierre
•maybe like a week? i kept filing my weekly claims even though my balance was zero and then suddenly i had payments again
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Elin Robinson
Here's what typically happens: 1) Your regular UI benefits exhaust after 26 weeks, 2) Washington ESD automatically reviews your eligibility for Extended Benefits, 3) If you qualify, you'll receive a determination notice, 4) You continue filing weekly claims, 5) If EB isn't available, you may need to look into other assistance programs or consider retraining options through WorkSource.
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Alice Pierce
•What if I don't qualify for Extended Benefits? Are there other options?
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Elin Robinson
•If EB isn't available, you might qualify for other state assistance programs like Basic Food or TANF. Also check with WorkSource for job training programs that might come with income support.
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Atticus Domingo
I was in the same boat and couldn't get through to Washington ESD to ask about my options. Spent hours on hold trying to talk to someone. Finally discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an agent in like 20 minutes. The agent explained exactly what would happen when my benefits ran out and walked me through the Extended Benefits process. There's even a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ
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Alice Pierce
•That sounds too good to be true - does it actually work?
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Atticus Domingo
•I was skeptical too but it really did work. Way better than sitting on hold for hours just to get hung up on.
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Beth Ford
The Washington ESD system is so confusing! I'm worried they'll automatically cut me off without telling me what my options are. What if I miss filing a weekly claim during the transition?
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Esteban Tate
•Keep filing your weekly claims even if your balance shows zero. That's important for maintaining your claim during the transition period.
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Beth Ford
•Okay, so I should still do my weekly claims even with a zero balance? That seems weird but I'll do it.
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Morita Montoya
Been there! Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what. When my regular benefits ended, I had about a week gap before the Extended Benefits kicked in, but I got backpay for that week since I kept filing.
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Alice Pierce
•So you still got paid for the gap week? That's good to know.
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Morita Montoya
•Yep, as long as you keep filing and meet the eligibility requirements, they'll backpay any weeks you were entitled to.
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Kingston Bellamy
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A MESS!!! I exhausted my benefits 2 months ago and still haven't gotten any Extended Benefits. They keep saying I need to wait for a determination but nobody can tell me when that will be. Meanwhile I'm broke and can't pay rent!
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Elin Robinson
•If it's been 2 months without a determination, you should definitely call Washington ESD or file an appeal. That's way too long for an EB determination.
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Kingston Bellamy
•I've tried calling a million times! The phone system is useless. I need to talk to a real person who can actually help me.
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Joy Olmedo
Quick question - do you have to be actively looking for work during Extended Benefits or is it the same job search requirements as regular UI?
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Esteban Tate
•Same job search requirements apply. You still need to make 3 job contacts per week and be able and available for work.
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Joy Olmedo
•Got it, thanks. I wasn't sure if the requirements changed.
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Isaiah Cross
I'm in week 24 of my claim so this is really helpful info. Does the Extended Benefits amount change or is it the same as your regular weekly benefit amount?
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Ivanna St. Pierre
•same amount for me when i got extended benefits. the payment stayed exactly the same
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Isaiah Cross
•Perfect, that's what I was hoping to hear. Thanks!
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Kiara Greene
For anyone struggling to get through to Washington ESD about their benefit exhaustion, I had good luck using Claimyr. Got connected to an agent who could actually see my account and explain my Extended Benefits eligibility. Much better than the automated system.
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Alice Pierce
•How much does something like that cost?
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Kiara Greene
•They focus on getting you connected rather than the cost. When you're facing benefit exhaustion, it's worth it to get real answers from Washington ESD.
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Evelyn Kelly
Does Washington state still have the 26-week limit or did they extend it because of the job market? I thought I read somewhere that some states increased their benefit duration.
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Esteban Tate
•Regular UI in Washington is still 26 weeks maximum. Extended Benefits can add up to 13 more weeks if the state unemployment rate triggers it.
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Evelyn Kelly
•So potentially 39 weeks total? That's better than I thought.
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Paloma Clark
I exhausted benefits in 2023 when Extended Benefits weren't available and had to start over with a new claim. It was a nightmare because I had to prove I'd worked enough hours again. Make sure you understand your options before your balance hits zero!
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Alice Pierce
•Wait, you can file a new claim after exhausting benefits? How does that work?
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Paloma Clark
•Only if you've worked enough hours since your original claim started. Most people won't qualify for a new claim right after exhausting the first one.
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Heather Tyson
The key thing is DON'T STOP FILING WEEKLY CLAIMS even if your balance shows zero. That was the mistake I almost made. Keep filing and they'll sort out the Extended Benefits automatically.
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Alice Pierce
•This seems to be the most important advice. I'll definitely keep filing no matter what.
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Heather Tyson
•Exactly. The system is designed to handle the transition but only if you keep up with your weekly claims.
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Raul Neal
Anyone know what happens if you find a job right when your benefits are about to run out? Do you lose the Extended Benefits eligibility?
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Elin Robinson
•If you find work, you'd close your claim and wouldn't need Extended Benefits. But if that job doesn't work out, you might be able to reopen your claim if it's within the benefit year.
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Raul Neal
•Good to know there's some flexibility there. Thanks for the info!
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Jenna Sloan
I was lucky and found work in week 25 of my claim. But it's good to know about Extended Benefits in case this job doesn't work out. The job market is still pretty tough out there.
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Alice Pierce
•Congrats on finding work! What field are you in?
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Jenna Sloan
•Administrative work. Took a pay cut but at least it's steady income again.
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Christian Burns
The Extended Benefits program saved me last year. I was able to get 13 additional weeks which gave me time to find a decent job instead of having to take the first thing that came along. Really glad Washington state has this program.
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Alice Pierce
•That's exactly what I'm hoping for - more time to find something good instead of panicking.
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Christian Burns
•It definitely takes the pressure off. Just make sure you keep up with your job search requirements.
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Sasha Reese
What about people who were on standby status? Do they get Extended Benefits too or is it different?
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Esteban Tate
•Standby status works differently. You'd need to check with Washington ESD about how benefit exhaustion affects standby claims specifically.
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Sasha Reese
•Yeah, I figured it might be more complicated for standby. I'll call them... eventually.
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Muhammad Hobbs
For what it's worth, I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and they were able to get me connected to an agent who knew exactly what would happen when my benefits ran out. Saved me a lot of stress and uncertainty. The agent even helped me understand the timeline so I could plan better.
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Alice Pierce
•That sounds really helpful. The uncertainty is the worst part of this whole situation.
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Muhammad Hobbs
•Exactly. Having a real person explain the process made all the difference in my stress levels.
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Noland Curtis
Bottom line: keep filing weekly claims, watch for determination letters from Washington ESD, and don't panic if there's a short gap in payments. The system usually works, it's just slow and not great at communicating what's happening.
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Alice Pierce
•Thanks everyone for all the advice! This has been really helpful and I feel much less anxious about the whole process now.
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Noland Curtis
•Glad we could help! That's what this community is for.
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