What to do when unemployment benefits are exhausted - Washington ESD options?

I did work part-time for about 3 months during my claim but not sure if I earned enough. How do I check if I can file a new claim?

You can check your earnings on your Washington ESD account or call them to verify. If you qualify, you'd file a new initial claim, not just continue the old one.

Thanks, I'll look into DSHS programs. Do you know if there's any way to get more UI benefits if I find part-time work?

Yes, if you work part-time you might be able to restart your claim if you earn enough wages. You'd need to work and earn at least 6 times your weekly benefit amount.

I haven't looked into SNAP yet. Do you know if there's any way to get the Washington ESD to review my case or if they offer any other programs?

Washington ESD only administers regular UI and some federal programs when they're active. No state-level extensions right now.

Thanks for the info. Do I need to file a new application for Extended Benefits or does it happen automatically?

Extended Benefits usually trigger automatically if you're eligible, but you should still file your weekly claim to maintain eligibility. Check your Washington ESD account online to see if EB is available.

Thanks, I hadn't thought about WorkSource having emergency funds. Do you know if I need to be enrolled in a training program to get those or can they help with basic needs while job searching?

It varies by location but many offices have discretionary funds for transportation, interview clothing, even some temporary assistance. You have to be actively working with a counselor though.

Six weeks?? That's crazy. Did you have to do anything special to speed it up or just wait it out?

Just had to wait unfortunately. I tried calling but couldn't get through to anyone at DSHS either. At least with Washington ESD you can sometimes reach someone if you use that Claimyr service - they helped me get through to sort out some final paperwork on my claim.

What's Claimyr? Never heard of that before.

It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD phone lines. You go to claimyr.com and they basically call for you and connect you when they reach an agent. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helpful when you can't get through the regular way.

It really is. How long were you collecting benefits?

full 26 weeks, was laid off back in june from my warehouse job

That's what I was afraid of. Do I need to keep filing weekly claims even though my benefits are exhausted?

No, once your benefit year ends and you've exhausted all benefits, you don't file weekly claims anymore. But keep documenting your job search activities just in case.

That's what I was afraid of. Do you know what the unemployment rate threshold is for EB to kick in?

It's 6.5% for 13 weeks or 8% for any period. Washington's been below that for a while now.

I did some part-time work during my claim period but reported it all. Would that count toward a new claim?

Yes! If you earned enough during your benefit year, that could establish a new claim. You'd need to call Washington ESD to discuss your specific situation.

Good luck getting through to them though. I've been trying to call for weeks about my own issues and can never get connected.

Yeah I've been putting off applying for other assistance but guess it's time to swallow my pride.

Nothing wrong with getting help when you need it! These programs exist for exactly this situation.

I haven't tried WorkSource yet, good idea. What exactly does Claimyr do? Is it expensive?

Claimyr basically calls ESD for you and gets you connected to an actual person instead of you having to keep calling and getting busy signals. They focus on getting you through rather than cost - definitely worth checking out their site for the details.

I've heard mixed things about services like that. Did it actually work for you?

Yeah it worked great. I was trying to get through for days about an adjudication issue and they got me connected within a few hours.

Wait, there's actually a way to get through to them without calling 200 times? How does that work?

Yeah it handles the calling and waiting for you, then connects you when an agent picks up. Way better than sitting on hold all day.

That might be worth trying - I've been dreading calling because I know how impossible it is to get through.

That's interesting - do you know what the income support amounts are like? And do you have to pay back the training costs if you don't finish the program?

The support varies but can be similar to what you were getting on UI. And no, you don't pay back training costs as long as you're making good progress. You do have to commit to finishing though and there might be job placement requirements after.

I feel your frustration but there are other resources available. Have you looked into retraining programs?

Retraining takes time and money I don't have. Need income NOW not in 6 months after some certificate program.

I feel your frustration but extensions were emergency measures during COVID. The regular system has always been 26 weeks max unless Congress passes something.

Well Congress should do something then! People shouldn't have to choose between paying rent and eating.

Extended benefits are triggered by state unemployment rates. Oregon might have had different rates than Washington. Each state has its own thresholds.

Oh I see, so it depends on how bad unemployment is in each state. That makes sense I guess.

Wait really? I stopped filing when my benefits ended last month thinking there was no point.

You should probably contact Washington ESD about that gap. It might affect things if you do end up qualifying for a new claim.

Good to know - I was wondering about that too. I'll keep filing just in case.

I only filed my original claim 6 months ago so I don't think I'd qualify for a new one yet. This is so stressful.

Yeah, you need to wait until your benefit year ends. In the meantime, definitely apply for other assistance programs and keep documenting your job search.

Did you end up getting any extended benefits? I'm trying to figure out if it's even worth waiting for or if I should focus on other assistance.

Extended Benefits weren't available when mine ran out because the state unemployment rate was too low. But I got approved for SNAP and some utility assistance which helped bridge the gap until I found work.

I've been trying to call for days but can never get through. The automated system just hangs up on me after being on hold forever.

I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get connected to Washington ESD agents - they basically call for you and wait on hold so you don't have to. Check out claimyr.com, there's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

That sounds too good to be true but I'm desperate at this point. How much does it cost?

I can't remember the exact price but it was totally worth it to finally talk to someone at Washington ESD. Way better than spending hours on hold for nothing.

I feel your frustration but the system is designed to be temporary assistance. 26 weeks is actually pretty generous compared to some other supports.

Generous?? Try living on $500 a week in Seattle and see how generous it feels. And don't get me started on the job search requirements - applying to random jobs just to meet quotas.

The job search requirements are there for a reason, but I understand the frustration when you're in a specialized field. Make sure you're documenting quality job search activities that are relevant to your experience.

That's a great idea. Do you know if those programs have income requirements or other restrictions?

There are usually some requirements but they vary by program. Some are specifically for people who've exhausted UI benefits. Your local WorkSource office can give you details.

It really is. I've applied to probably 200+ jobs and only gotten a handful of interviews.

yeah its insane, i used to get callbacks all the time but now nothing

How much does something like that cost? I'm already strapped for cash.

I thought it was worth it considering how much time I was wasting trying to call on my own. Check out claimyr.com for the details.

I've heard of services like this but wasn't sure if they were legit. Did they actually connect you to a real Washington ESD agent?

Yes, it connected me to an actual Washington ESD representative. I was skeptical at first too but it worked exactly as advertised.

I know, it's really stressful. Are you doing anything to prepare for when yours runs out?

Trying to get all my other benefit applications in now so hopefully there's no gap. Also looking into food banks and stuff. This shouldn't be so hard.

Thanks, I hadn't thought about local resources. I've been so focused on government programs.

211 is a great number to call for local resources. They have info on food banks, utility assistance, rental help, all sorts of things.

Gig work income needs to be reported if you're still filing weekly claims for potential extended benefits. It might reduce any benefits you're eligible for but won't necessarily disqualify you completely.

Good to know. I just need something to bring in a little money while I keep looking for a real job.

Same here. I'm thinking about trying some freelance work in my field but wasn't sure about the reporting requirements.

So Extended Benefits aren't guaranteed? I thought they were automatic after 26 weeks.

Nope, they're triggered by economic conditions. Washington has to meet certain unemployment rate thresholds. You can check the Washington ESD website to see current trigger status.

I don't think I have anything that would qualify for disability, but thanks for mentioning it. I know some people don't think about that option.

Gig work earnings count toward establishing a new claim if you earn enough. You'd need to report all earnings to ESD though.

good to know, might start doing some deliveries then

I hadn't thought about training programs. Do you know if they help with living expenses during training?

Some do, especially if you qualify for Trade Adjustment Assistance or other specific programs. Worth talking to a WorkSource counselor about your options.

I haven't been filing weekly claims since my benefits exhausted. Should I still be doing that even though I'm not getting paid?

Yes, keep filing! If any additional programs become available or if there's a system error, you could miss out on back pay if you haven't been claiming.