What happens when you run out of unemployment benefits in Washington?

So there's literally nothing else available? No state programs or anything? This is terrifying.

There might be some local assistance programs through DSHS but nothing through Washington ESD specifically. You should definitely check with WorkSource for job placement help too.

How long did it take you to find something? I'm getting desperate and might have to take anything at this point.

About 2 months but I was being picky at first. Once I started applying everywhere it only took a few weeks.

What's Claimyr? I've tried calling Washington ESD dozens of times but can never get through.

It's a service that helps you get connected to ESD agents without the endless hold times. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

That sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost?

I found it worth it just to finally talk to someone who could explain my exact situation. Way less stressful than calling repeatedly.

8 months?? How are you making it?

Gig work, selling stuff, borrowing money. It's awful. The job market is terrible right now despite what they say.

I did some freelance work a few months ago but didn't think it counted. Should I report that when filing a new claim?

Absolutely! Any wages you earned need to be reported. It could be the difference between qualifying for a new claim or not.

Just make sure you have documentation of those wages. Washington ESD will want to verify everything.

I've been logging everything in WorkSourceWA but honestly some weeks I struggle to find 3 good positions to apply for.

That's the minimum but you can do more. Include networking activities, job fairs, even informational interviews. Cast a wide net.

Those pandemic programs ended in 2021. We're back to the regular 26-week maximum for state UI benefits.

oh that sucks. so no PEUC or anything like that anymore?

Nope, all the federal pandemic programs are gone. Just regular state unemployment now.

I hadn't thought of that. What kind of training programs?

Depends on your area but could be anything from healthcare to tech to trades. Contact your local WorkSource office to see what's available.

I have been looking! It's not like I'm sitting around doing nothing. The job market is just really tough right now.

Seriously, some people act like finding a job is easy. If it was that simple none of us would be here.

I didn't mean to sound judgmental. Just trying to help others avoid this situation.

Did he say it actually worked? I'm skeptical of paying for something like that.

He said it was the first time he actually talked to a real person at ESD in months. Got clarity on his whole situation.

Good idea. I never thought about reaching out to churches even though I'm not religious.

Most don't care about your religious beliefs when it comes to helping with basic needs. Worth calling around.

I feel embarrassed about using food banks but I guess I need to get over that.

There's no shame in getting help when you need it. That's what these programs are for.

You file in the state where you worked, not where you currently live. Moving doesn't change which state pays your benefits.

Oh I didn't know that. Thanks for clarifying.

What would I need to appeal? I thought once benefits are exhausted that's it.

If you file a new claim and get denied, or if there are any issues with how your original claim was handled.

It's scary but talking about it here is helping me figure out my options. Good luck to both of us.

Maybe we should keep each other updated on how things go.

That's actually a really good point. Temp work could keep me afloat and potentially help with future benefits.

Exactly. Plus temp positions sometimes turn into permanent jobs if you do well.

Why keep filing if I know I'm running out of money?

Because if you stop filing and then become eligible for something later, you might miss out on benefits you could have received.

Let me know how it goes! I'm seriously considering it too.

Will do. I'll report back on whether it's worth it.

I think you'll be surprised how much clearer things become when you can actually talk to someone who can look at your specific account.