What happens when unemployment benefits run out in Washington ESD?

Thanks! How long does it take to get that determination letter? I'm worried about the gap in payments.

Usually within a week or two after your regular benefits end. Keep filing your weekly claims even after exhaustion - if you do qualify for EB, they'll backpay those weeks.

Oh no, that's what I was afraid of. What other programs did you look into?

food assistance, utility help through LIHEAP, medicaid. also checked with local churches and food banks. it's tough but there are resources out there

Never heard of that before. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legit - I was skeptical too but it got me through to an actual Washington ESD agent within 30 minutes instead of calling for days. Worth it when you need real answers about your claim status.

I'm already registered with WorkSource. How often do they check if Extended Benefits become available?

Washington ESD reviews the unemployment rate monthly to determine EB eligibility. If the rate increases enough to trigger the program, they'll automatically notify people who recently exhausted benefits.

Start applying for other assistance now - there's usually waiting periods and application processing time. Getting approved for Basic Food or Apple Health won't affect your unemployment benefits.

ok thank you!! i was worried it might cause problems with my UI claim somehow

i feel you, the system definitely isn't designed to help people smoothly transition

I used that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier and actually got through to Washington ESD pretty quick. Sometimes you gotta work around their broken phone system.

PEUC ended in September 2021 - those pandemic programs aren't available anymore. Only regular UI and Extended Benefits (when triggered) are current options.

oh dang you're right, i forgot those ended. shows how confusing this all is

No, that's different. Benefit year end (after 52 weeks) requires a new application if you have enough work history. Benefit exhaustion is when you've used up all your weekly benefit amount, which happens before the year is up.

Got it, thanks for clarifying. This stuff is so confusing with all the different scenarios.

That's great about the interviews! I've been applying but haven't gotten many callbacks yet. What industry are you in?

I'm in retail management. Had to expand my search to include assistant manager roles instead of just manager positions. Sometimes you gotta take a step back to move forward.

Good point - I'll keep logging my job searches in case anything changes with the extended benefits program.

Temp work is a good idea - keeps some money coming in and might lead to permanent employment

exactly, and you can still look for better opportunities while working temp. just make sure to report any earnings if you do get extended benefits later

Retail actually hires seasonal workers through January for returns and exchanges. Might be worth looking into even if it's temporary.

That's a good idea, I hadn't thought about post-holiday retail positions. Thanks!

My cousin got EB in 2020 during the pandemic but that was when unemployment was much higher. Haven't heard of anyone getting it lately since the rates dropped.

Extended Benefits haven't been triggered in Washington since early 2021. The state unemployment rate would need to increase significantly for the program to activate again.

Same here! I feel much more prepared now for what's coming next week.

Thanks for the encouragement. It's hard not to get discouraged after so many months of searching.

I totally get it. The mental health aspect is just as important as the financial part. Make sure you're taking care of yourself through this process.

I'll look into that. Do you know if WorkSource WA connects with those programs?

Yes, WorkSource is actually run by the local workforce boards, so they should have information about all available programs in your area.

EXACTLY! The lack of clear communication makes everything ten times more stressful than it needs to be.

That's why I ended up using Claimyr to talk to someone directly at Washington ESD. Sometimes you need real answers from an actual agent instead of trying to decode the website information.

Good to know for future reference. Hopefully I won't need that information, but it's reassuring that the option exists.

Agreed! This community has been more helpful than trying to navigate the Washington ESD website on my own.

Great point. Exhaustion = you've used up your dollar amount. Year end = you've reached 52 weeks regardless of remaining balance. Two totally different processes.

Thanks for that clarification. I'm definitely in the exhaustion situation, not year end. Helps to know the correct terminology when talking to Washington ESD.