What to do if I don't have a job and my Washington ESD unemployment runs out
My regular UI benefits through Washington ESD are going to run out in two weeks and I still haven't found work. I've been searching for 8 months now and applying to everything I'm qualified for. What happens when my benefits end? Are there any extensions or other programs I can apply for? I'm really worried about how I'm going to pay rent and bills if I don't have any income coming in. Has anyone been in this situation before?
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Andre Dupont
I went through this last year. Once your regular unemployment runs out, that's usually it unless there are special federal extensions (which there aren't right now). You might qualify for food assistance or other state programs though.
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Carmen Sanchez
•Did you find any other income sources? I'm trying to figure out what my options are.
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Andre Dupont
•I had to take a part-time job at a grocery store just to have something coming in while I kept looking for full-time work.
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Zoe Papadakis
You should contact WorkSource Washington immediately. They have programs for people whose benefits have expired, including training programs that might come with financial assistance. Also look into SNAP benefits and housing assistance programs.
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Carmen Sanchez
•I'll check out WorkSource. Do you know if they have any programs that actually pay you while you're in training?
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Zoe Papadakis
•Yes, some of their training programs do provide financial support. It's not as much as unemployment but it's something.
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ThunderBolt7
Ugh I'm in the exact same boat. Been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks to ask about this but their phone lines are impossible. I've called hundreds of times and either get busy signals or sit on hold for hours before getting disconnected.
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Jamal Edwards
•Have you tried using Claimyr? I found out about it when I was having trouble reaching Washington ESD. It's a service that helps you get through to ESD agents by phone. There's a demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.
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ThunderBolt7
•Never heard of it but I'm willing to try anything at this point. Getting through to ESD is nearly impossible.
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Carmen Sanchez
•What's Claimyr exactly? Is it legit?
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Mei Chen
There's no automatic extension of regular UI benefits anymore. The federal pandemic programs ended years ago. Your best bet is applying for state assistance programs like Basic Food, Apple Health, and maybe Temporary Assistance for Needy Families if you have kids.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•This is why the system is broken. People pay into unemployment for years and then get cut off when they need it most.
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Mei Chen
•I agree it's frustrating, but that's how the system works. Regular UI is designed to be temporary assistance.
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Amara Okonkwo
Check if you're eligible for any retraining programs. Some community colleges have programs where you can get financial aid while learning a new skill. It's not unemployment but it's income while you prepare for a better job.
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Carmen Sanchez
•That's a good idea. Do you know what kind of programs they have?
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Amara Okonkwo
•Depends on the college but I've seen programs for healthcare, trades, IT, stuff like that. Financial aid can cover living expenses too.
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Jamal Edwards
I actually used Claimyr.com when I needed to talk to Washington ESD about my benefits ending. It got me through to an agent who explained all my options. Much better than trying to call on my own and getting nowhere.
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Carmen Sanchez
•How does it work? Do they charge a lot?
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Jamal Edwards
•They help you get connected to ESD agents faster than calling yourself. I can't remember the exact cost but it was worth it to actually talk to someone.
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Andre Dupont
Have you looked into temporary work agencies? It's not ideal but it can bridge the gap while you keep looking for permanent work. Some temp jobs even turn into permanent positions.
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Carmen Sanchez
•I haven't tried temp agencies yet. Are there any good ones you'd recommend?
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Andre Dupont
•Express Employment, Manpower, and Randstad are pretty common. Just make sure you're still doing your job search for permanent work too.
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Giovanni Marino
same situation here. benefits run out next month and im freaking out. been applying everywhere but no luck
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Carmen Sanchez
•It's so stressful isn't it? I keep second-guessing everything I'm doing wrong in my job search.
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Giovanni Marino
•yeah exactly. starting to wonder if i should just take any job even if its way below what i used to make
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Zoe Papadakis
Don't forget about the American Job Center network. They have career counselors who can help review your resume and job search strategy. Sometimes it's not about applying more but applying better.
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Carmen Sanchez
•That's a good point. Maybe I need to change my approach rather than just sending out more applications.
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Zoe Papadakis
•Exactly. Quality over quantity. A targeted approach with better applications might be more effective.
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Liam O'Sullivan
The whole system is set up to fail people. They make it so hard to get benefits in the first place and then cut you off when you still need help. Meanwhile corporations get billions in subsidies.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•I feel you but complaining doesn't help OP's situation right now.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•Fair enough. OP should definitely apply for every assistance program they can while looking for work.
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Dylan Hughes
Look into gig work too - Uber, DoorDash, Instacart. It's not steady income but it's something while you keep job hunting. Plus it keeps you busy instead of sitting at home worrying.
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Carmen Sanchez
•I've thought about that but wasn't sure if it would affect my unemployment benefits.
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Dylan Hughes
•If your benefits are running out anyway, it doesn't matter. Just report any income properly if you do find work.
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NightOwl42
I was in your exact situation two years ago. What helped me was getting on every assistance program I qualified for BEFORE my benefits ran out. Don't wait until you're desperate.
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Carmen Sanchez
•That's smart. I should probably start applying for assistance programs now rather than waiting.
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NightOwl42
•Yes, some programs have waiting periods or long application processes. Start now while you still have some income.
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Sofia Rodriguez
Check if your county has emergency assistance programs. Some counties have programs specifically for people whose unemployment benefits have expired.
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Carmen Sanchez
•I didn't know counties had their own programs. I'll look into what's available in my area.
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Sofia Rodriguez
•Yeah, they're not well advertised but they exist. Usually for rent assistance or utility bills.
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Dmitry Ivanov
Whatever you do, don't give up on your job search. I know it's discouraging after 8 months but something will come through. Keep applying and networking.
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Carmen Sanchez
•Thanks for the encouragement. Some days it feels hopeless but I'm trying to stay positive.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•I know the feeling. It took me 11 months to find work after my layoff. Just keep pushing through.
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Ava Thompson
Have you considered remote work? Sometimes expanding your search beyond your local area can open up more opportunities.
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Carmen Sanchez
•I have been looking at remote jobs but there's so much competition for those positions.
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Ava Thompson
•True but it's worth casting a wider net. What industry are you in?
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Jamal Edwards
One more thing about Claimyr - they helped me understand exactly what happens when benefits end and what options I had. The ESD agent explained programs I didn't even know existed. Much better than trying to figure it out from their website.
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Carmen Sanchez
•That sounds really helpful. I might give them a try since I can't get through to ESD on my own.
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Miguel Herrera
•I was skeptical about using a service to make phone calls but honestly it worked better than spending hours trying to get through myself.
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Zainab Ali
Food banks are also a resource. Don't be too proud to use them if you need to stretch your money further while job hunting.
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Carmen Sanchez
•I hadn't thought about food banks but you're right, every bit helps.
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Zainab Ali
•Exactly. Use every resource available so you can focus on finding work instead of worrying about basic needs.
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Connor Murphy
might be worth talking to a career counselor too. sometimes we get stuck in patterns and need outside perspective on our job search
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Carmen Sanchez
•That's a good idea. I wonder if there are free career counseling services available.
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Connor Murphy
•check with WorkSource Washington, they usually have free career counseling services
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Yara Nassar
The key is having a plan before your benefits end. Don't wait until the last day to figure out your next steps. Sounds like you're already thinking ahead which is good.
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Carmen Sanchez
•Yeah I'm trying to prepare as much as possible. This thread has given me a lot of good ideas to pursue.
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Yara Nassar
•Good luck with everything. It's a tough situation but having a plan makes it more manageable.
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StarGazer101
Also consider volunteering while you job search. It can help with networking and gives you something productive to put on your resume during this gap.
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Carmen Sanchez
•I hadn't thought about volunteering but that's actually a really good idea. Might help with networking too.
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StarGazer101
•Exactly, and it shows you're staying active and engaged even during unemployment. Employers like to see that.
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