What is considered high unemployment rate in Washington state for benefits eligibility?

So if I'm understanding this right, we'd need to be at 6.5% statewide for three months straight? That seems pretty high.

Exactly. The federal government sets these thresholds and they're designed to kick in during significant economic downturns. Individual county rates don't matter for extended benefits - it's all about the statewide average.

Try calling right at 8am when they open, that's usually your best bet. But even then it's hit or miss with how backed up they are.

I actually discovered something called Claimyr that helped me get through to Washington ESD agents without the endless waiting. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call.

That sounds too good to be true, but honestly I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point. Thanks for sharing!

I thought it was standardized across the state? My case worker told me 3 contacts per week but maybe that varies by unemployment rate?

No, job search requirements are the same statewide - 3 qualifying job search activities per week. The unemployment rate doesn't change that requirement, but it might affect how strictly they enforce it during audits.

So basically I shouldn't count on any extensions being available when my regular benefits run out?

Probably not through the standard extended benefit program. Your best bet is to make sure you're maximizing your job search efforts and maybe look into retraining programs through WorkSource if you need to switch industries.

There might be state-specific programs available even if federal extended benefits don't kick in. I'd recommend calling Washington ESD to ask about any state-funded extensions or transitional programs.

High unemployment can trigger extended benefit programs that give you additional weeks beyond your regular 26 weeks of UI. It doesn't make it easier to qualify initially - you still need to meet the same work history and earnings requirements.

oh ok so its just more weeks not easier to get approved. that makes sense i guess

That's actually reassuring from an economic perspective but not so great for my benefits situation. Do you know if there are any other programs available when regular UI runs out?

You might qualify for state-funded programs or workforce development grants. Also, if you're over 50 or in certain industries, there are specialized retraining programs that provide income support while you learn new skills.

The phone situation is definitely frustrating. That's why I started using Claimyr - it actually got me through to a real person who could answer my specific questions about benefit extensions. Way better than the endless hold times.

I feel your pain on the phone situation. I've found that sending secure messages through the Washington ESD website sometimes gets faster responses than calling, though it can still take several days.

That's a good point. I should probably be taking advantage of more of those resources anyway, especially if my benefits are running out soon.

Definitely recommend the WorkSource workshops. Some of them count toward your job search requirements too, so it's a win-win.

Thanks for the clarification. I was getting confused between regular UI extensions and the Extended Benefits program. So these are federal programs that only kick in during really bad economic times?

Exactly. The Extended Benefits program is federal but administered by states. It's designed as an automatic stabilizer during severe recessions. Washington hasn't triggered it since the Great Recession over a decade ago.

The unemployment rate thresholds are the same regardless of industry, but there are separate programs for specific worker types. Seasonal workers have different base period calculations, and some industries have specialized retraining funds.

Trade workers often have union-specific programs too. If you're in a trade, check with your local union hall about additional resources or extended benefits they might offer.

Good advice. I'm definitely going to keep filing weekly while I research other programs. Better to be safe than sorry.

Yes, and make sure your job search log is up to date! They can audit at any time and you don't want to lose benefits over missing documentation.

Absolutely. I learned that the hard way - they audited me right before my benefits ended and I almost lost my last few weeks over incomplete job search records.

That's interesting. I'm in King County so probably not an issue for me, but good to know for people in other areas.

Yeah, places like Ferry County and some of the agricultural counties can have much higher rates. Unfortunately, as others mentioned, it's the statewide rate that matters for extended benefits.

I understand the frustration, but the automatic triggers are actually designed to do exactly that - extend benefits automatically when certain economic conditions are met. The problem is the thresholds are set pretty high to prevent abuse of the system.

i guess that makes sense but it still sucks when youre the one running out of money

How did you manage to get through to someone? I've been trying for weeks with no luck.

Honestly, I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Paid a small fee but it got me connected to an agent within minutes instead of waiting hours. Worth it for important questions like this.

I'm skeptical of paying for something that should be free, but I'm also desperate to get answers about my claim status. Maybe I'll give it a try.

That's probably smart advice. I've been pretty focused on my specific field but maybe I should broaden my search.

Definitely. And remember that taking any job doesn't disqualify you from continuing to look for something better in your field. Income is income while you're searching.