What happens when my unemployment runs out in Washington state?
My regular UI benefits are about to end next month and I'm starting to panic. I've been collecting for about 24 weeks now and still haven't found anything permanent. Does Washington ESD automatically extend benefits or do I need to apply for something else? I keep hearing different things about extended benefits but don't know if they're still available. Has anyone been through this recently?
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Dylan Mitchell
Unfortunately regular UI in Washington maxes out at 26 weeks. There's no automatic extension like there was during COVID. Extended Benefits (EB) sometimes kicks in during high unemployment periods but Washington hasn't triggered those lately.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
•So I'm just out of luck after 26 weeks? That's terrifying.
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Dylan Mitchell
•Not necessarily out of luck, but you'll need to look into other programs. Keep reading the thread - there are some options.
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Sofia Martinez
same boat here, mine ran out last month and it's been rough
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
•What did you do? Are you getting any help now?
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Sofia Martinez
•had to apply for food stamps and look into local assistance programs. not ideal but helps
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Dmitry Volkov
You should call Washington ESD to ask about your specific situation. I used Claimyr.com recently to get through - they have this video that shows you exactly how it works (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ). Way better than sitting on hold for hours.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
•Never heard of that service. Is it legit?
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Dmitry Volkov
•Yeah it's real. Basically helps you get connected to an actual person at Washington ESD instead of the endless hold music.
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Ava Thompson
•How much does it cost though?
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Dmitry Volkov
•They focus on getting you connected rather than the cost. Check out their site for details.
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CyberSiren
There are a few things you can look into when regular UI ends. First, make sure you've actually used all 26 weeks - sometimes people think they're done but have a few weeks left. Second, you might qualify for state food assistance or emergency rental help. Third, some areas have local unemployment extension programs.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
•How do I check if I have weeks left? My account just says my claim is ending soon.
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CyberSiren
•Log into your Washington ESD account and look at your benefit year details. It should show weeks used vs. weeks available.
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Miguel Alvarez
this system is so broken, they make it impossible to survive
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Sofia Martinez
•tell me about it. 26 weeks isn't enough time to find decent work anymore
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Dylan Mitchell
•I understand the frustration, but focusing on next steps is more productive than dwelling on system limitations.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
Update: I called using that Claimyr thing someone mentioned and actually got through to a rep. Turns out I do have 2 more weeks left that I didn't realize. The rep also told me about WorkSource services that might help with job placement.
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Dmitry Volkov
•Glad it worked for you! Those extra weeks can make a real difference.
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CyberSiren
•WorkSource has some good programs. They can help with resume writing and job search strategies too.
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Ava Thompson
Wait I'm confused. I thought there were federal extensions available?
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Dylan Mitchell
•Those ended when the pandemic programs expired. No federal extensions are currently available in most states.
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Ava Thompson
•Oh man, I was counting on those. This is bad news.
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Zainab Yusuf
You might want to look into retraining programs too. Some have income support while you learn new skills.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
•Like what kind of programs? I've been in retail for 10 years.
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Zainab Yusuf
•Washington has workforce development programs for healthcare, tech, trades. Check with your local WorkSource office.
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CyberSiren
•The Trade Adjustment Assistance program is another option if your job loss was due to foreign competition.
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Sofia Martinez
honestly the job market is so bad right now, 26 weeks isn't realistic
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Miguel Alvarez
•exactly, and they expect us to take any minimum wage job just to survive
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Dylan Mitchell
•The system isn't perfect, but there are resources beyond just UI benefits if you know where to look.
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Connor O'Reilly
I went through this last year. Had to swallow my pride and take a part-time job while continuing to look for something better. Not ideal but kept some money coming in.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
•Can you still collect partial UI if you work part-time?
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Connor O'Reilly
•Sometimes, depends on how much you earn. Washington has partial benefit calculations but it's complicated.
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Dmitry Volkov
For anyone else trying to get through to Washington ESD about benefit exhaustion, I can't recommend Claimyr enough. Saved me literally hours of calling and redialing.
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Yara Khoury
•I was skeptical at first but tried it when my claim had issues. Actually works as advertised.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
•Yeah, it definitely helped me get answers faster than I expected.
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Keisha Taylor
don't forget about food banks and community resources while you're job hunting
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
•Good point. I should probably look into those before I really need them.
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Sofia Martinez
•211 is a good number to call for local assistance programs
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Dylan Mitchell
To summarize the main options when regular UI exhausts: 1) Double-check you've used all 26 weeks, 2) Look into WorkSource retraining programs, 3) Apply for other assistance like SNAP, 4) Consider part-time work with possible partial UI, 5) Check for local emergency assistance programs. Extended Benefits aren't currently available in Washington.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
•This is really helpful. I'm going to start looking into WorkSource programs this week.
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CyberSiren
•Great summary. The key is to start exploring options before benefits actually end rather than waiting.
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StardustSeeker
•Wish someone had told me about these options when my benefits ran out 6 months ago!
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