I went through a similar situation last year when my employer appealed my unemployment claim after a restructuring layoff. It turned out they were automatically appealing all claims as part of their cost-cutting strategy, even though they knew the layoffs were legitimate. The most important thing is to gather all your documentation - layoff notices, emails about the restructuring, anything that shows it wasn't your fault. I also reached out to former coworkers who were laid off at the same time to see if they'd be willing to be witnesses if needed. The hearing itself was pretty straightforward - the judge asked questions about the circumstances and I just told the truth. I won and got my benefits reinstated with back pay for the weeks I missed during the appeal. Don't let them intimidate you - if you were truly laid off due to budget cuts, you have a strong case.

I'm dealing with a similar appeal situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful. My employer also appealed after what was clearly a layoff due to company downsizing. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like many companies do this automatically to try to reduce their unemployment tax burden, even when they know the layoff was legitimate. I've been stressed about the hearing but seeing all these success stories where people won with proper documentation gives me hope. I've saved all my emails about the layoff announcement and my termination letter, so I think I should be in good shape. It's frustrating that we have to go through this extra step when we're already dealing with being unemployed, but at least the process seems fair if you have your facts straight.

Just wanted to add that if you do end up having to attend a hearing, make sure to test your phone setup beforehand. I had a hearing last year and the call quality was terrible - kept cutting out and the judge had to reschedule because we couldn't hear each other properly. Also, find a quiet space where you won't be interrupted. The hearing might seem informal but treat it seriously - be on time, speak clearly, and have all your documents organized and ready to reference. Good luck!

As someone who went through this exact situation a few months ago, I want to echo what others have said about staying calm and continuing your weekly claims. The appeal process can feel really intimidating, but remember that your employer has the burden of proving misconduct or that you weren't actually laid off. Since your separation notice clearly states "position eliminated due to organizational restructure," those verbal comments from your manager during the final meeting are unlikely to override the official documentation. Keep detailed records of everything - dates, times, what was said, and definitely save any company communications about the restructuring. The hearing process, if it gets to that point, is designed to be accessible to regular people, not just lawyers. You've got this!

I'm in a similar situation - week 23 and getting anxious about what happens next. Reading through all these responses is really eye-opening. I had no idea the pandemic extensions were completely gone. Has anyone looked into whether there are any state-specific programs or local resources that might help bridge the gap? I know it's not unemployment benefits, but maybe job training programs or other assistance that could provide some income while continuing to job search?

I'm currently at week 25 and this thread has been incredibly helpful, even though it's not the news I was hoping for. It's really frustrating that there's such a hard cutoff at 26 weeks regardless of individual circumstances or local job market conditions. I've been diligent about my job search activities but the market in my field is still pretty competitive. For those who mentioned other assistance programs like SNAP and WorkSource WA - do you know if there are income limits or other eligibility requirements I should be aware of? I want to start exploring these options now rather than waiting until after my benefits end. Also, has anyone had success with the training programs that might extend benefits that @Olivia Evans mentioned? I'd be interested in learning more about what types of programs qualify and how to get approved.

I've been helping people navigate Washington ESD disputes for years and your situation sounds very winnable. Medical absences with proper documentation are one of the weakest grounds for employer protests. The key is showing you followed their policies for requesting time off and had legitimate medical reasons. Make sure to emphasize in your fact-finding response that you provided advance notice when possible and had doctor's notes. Also highlight that you received no progressive discipline - verbal mentions during health crises don't constitute formal warnings. Washington ESD sees right through employers who try to rewrite history after layoffs. Stay strong and don't let them intimidate you into giving up benefits you rightfully earned!

I went through a similar employer protest situation last year and want to share what I learned. The most important thing is that Washington ESD requires employers to prove misconduct was both "willful" and "substantial" - just having attendance issues, even without medical documentation, often doesn't meet that standard if there's no pattern of defiance or repeated violations after formal warnings. In your case, having medical documentation makes their argument even weaker. One thing that really helped me was creating a detailed timeline of events with dates, showing exactly when I provided medical notes and how I followed company procedures. Also, don't forget to mention if you were a good employee overall - length of service, positive reviews, no prior disciplinary actions all work in your favor. The adjudicator will look at the totality of circumstances, not just the employer's cherry-picked complaints. Washington ESD sees these weak protests all the time and knows the difference between legitimate misconduct and employers trying to avoid paying unemployment taxes.

One last tip - if you do get laid off and have trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone for any reason, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier really does work. I used it when my claim got stuck and needed to speak with someone urgently. Saved me days of calling.

I went through a layoff situation about 6 months ago and want to add that you should also be prepared for the emotional side of this process. Even though layoffs qualify for benefits and the system is generally supportive, losing your job is still stressful. Don't be afraid to reach out to the WorkSource career counselors - they offer free services beyond just job search requirements. They helped me update my resume and practice interviewing, which made me feel more confident during the job hunt. Also, consider joining some local networking groups or LinkedIn communities for your industry. Sometimes the connections you make there are just as valuable as the unemployment benefits themselves.