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I've been following this thread and wanted to add my perspective as someone who went through a very similar appeal process last year. Like you, I had multiple health issues (chronic migraines and depression) that my employer wasn't accommodating, and they also didn't show up to my hearing. The good news is that employer no-shows combined with solid medical documentation usually result in favorable decisions. What really helped my case was that I had a clear paper trail showing I tried to work with my employer before leaving - it sounds like you have that too with your accommodation requests and the restraining order situation. One thing I learned during my process is that judges really focus on whether you had "good cause" under Washington state law, and medical conditions that aren't being accommodated definitely qualify. The restraining order situation adds another layer of legitimacy to your case since employers have a duty to provide a safe work environment. I ended up winning my appeal and received about $8,000 in back pay within two weeks of the decision. My employer didn't bother appealing since they hadn't even shown up to defend their position initially. The waiting is absolutely brutal - I remember being down to my last $50 when I finally got my decision letter. But based on everything you've shared, I really think you're going to get a favorable outcome. Stay strong!
Wow, $8,000 in back pay - that gives me so much hope! I'm really glad to hear from someone who had such a similar situation. The paper trail aspect is something I've been worried about, but like you said, I do have those accommodation request emails and the police report about the restraining order. It's reassuring to know that judges really do focus on the "good cause" standard and that medical conditions plus unsafe work environments can qualify. I'm trying to stay positive during this awful waiting period. Did you feel like the judge seemed engaged during your hearing, or were they pretty neutral like mine was?
I'm going through my first appeal process right now too and this whole thread has been so helpful to read! I've been stressing out about my hearing next week - my employer also said they're not planning to attend, which after reading everyone's experiences here makes me feel a bit more optimistic. Like several of you mentioned, I also have medical documentation for anxiety and depression that made it impossible for me to continue in my toxic work environment. My former supervisor was creating a hostile workplace and HR basically told me to "deal with it" when I reported the issues. @Liam Cortez - your situation with having multiple legitimate reasons backed by documentation sounds really strong. The fact that you tried to work with your employer on accommodations and they wouldn't cooperate shows you made good faith efforts. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and hoping we both get positive outcomes! The waiting really is torture though. I've already started obsessively checking my mailbox even though my hearing isn't until next week. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - it's helping me feel less alone in this stressful process.
@Sophia Nguyen Good luck with your hearing next week! It sounds like you have a really solid case too, especially with the documented medical issues and HR s'failure to address the hostile work environment. That shows you tried to resolve things through proper channels before leaving. The fact that both our employers aren t'showing up really does seem to indicate they know they don t'have strong cases to defend. I ll'be thinking good thoughts for you! Please update us on how it goes. This whole thread has been such a lifeline during this stressful time - it s'so helpful to know we re'not going through this alone.
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Bottom line - with $1000/week gross you're looking at probably $750-850 per week in unemployment benefits assuming you have sufficient base period wages. The exact amount depends on your wage history over the past 15 months.
That range is really helpful for planning. Thanks everyone for all the detailed info!
Just remember to file immediately if it happens and don't wait. Good luck!
Just to add another perspective - I was laid off from a similar tech role making $950/week and ended up getting $780/week in benefits. The key thing that helped me was having all my employment documentation ready when I filed (last pay stub, layoff letter, etc). Also definitely recommend setting up direct deposit right away since paper checks can take forever to arrive. The whole process was smoother than I expected once I got through the initial application.
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Just wanted to chime in as someone who recently went through this exact situation! Got my PFL approval after a long wait and was super confused about filing the back weeks. Like everyone said, you can definitely file all missed weeks at once - the system is actually pretty user-friendly once you get into it. One thing I wish someone had told me upfront: make sure you have your medical documentation easily accessible while you're filing. Even though you already submitted it for approval, some of the weekly claim forms ask you to reference specific dates or details from your medical certification. Having it right there saved me from having to stop mid-process to dig through my files. Also, if you're doing this for bonding with a new child, they might ask for birth certificate info for each week, so keep that handy too. The whole process took me about 45 minutes for 4 weeks of back claims, so not too bad once you get started!
This is incredibly helpful, thank you! The tip about having medical documentation readily available during the filing process is something I wouldn't have thought of. I'm still waiting for my approval but bookmarking this thread for when I need to file my back weeks. 45 minutes for 4 weeks actually sounds pretty reasonable - I was worried it would take hours. Did you run into any technical issues with the system, or did it work smoothly once you had everything organized?
This thread is so helpful! I'm in a similar situation where I just got my PFL approval after weeks of waiting and have 2 weeks to file retroactively. It's reassuring to see so many people confirm that you can file all the back weeks at once. One question though - when you're filing for multiple weeks, do you need to submit separate documentation for each week, or does the original documentation you submitted for approval cover all the retroactive weeks? I want to make sure I have everything ready before I start the process. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences here!
Hey Collins! From my experience and what I've seen others share, the documentation you submitted for your original approval should cover all your retroactive weeks. You typically don't need to resubmit the same medical certs or birth certificates for each individual week - the system references what's already in your file. However, I'd recommend having copies of everything easily accessible just in case the system prompts you for any clarification or if there are any technical hiccups. The weekly filing process is more about confirming your situation for each specific week (like hours worked, income, etc.) rather than resubmitting your core documentation. Good luck with your filing - sounds like you're well prepared!
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Update: I tried calling at 7:59am this morning and after redaling about 20 times, I actually got through! Was on hold for 1.5 hours but finally spoke to someone who resolved my issue. For anyone else struggling - keep trying the early morning calls and just keep redialing if you get the busy message. Persistence eventually paid off for me!
There was an employer response that triggered adjudication, but they never sent me the questionnaire I needed to complete. The agent was able to resend it and actually processed it while I was on the phone. My payments should start processing in 48 hours she said!
congrats! still trying on my end... maybe tomorrow will be my lucky day
Just wanted to share another option that worked for me - I contacted my local state senator's office (found through leg.wa.gov) and their constituent services person was amazing. She contacted ESD directly and got my claim moving within 3 business days after I'd been stuck for over a month. I was honestly skeptical about bothering elected officials with this, but she said unemployment issues are one of their most common requests and they have dedicated staff for exactly this purpose. All I had to do was fill out a simple form with my claim details and sign a release allowing them to inquire on my behalf. For anyone who's been waiting weeks like I was - don't hesitate to reach out to your representatives. It's literally part of their job to help constituents navigate state agencies. Way less stressful than the phone marathon!
This is really helpful advice! I had no idea that contacting state representatives was even an option for unemployment issues. I've been struggling to get through to ESD for weeks now and feeling pretty hopeless about it. How long did the whole process take from when you first contacted your senator's office to when your claim actually got resolved? And did they ask for any specific documentation beyond the basic claim details?
Philip Cowan
when I got laid off in November I thought standby meant I didn't have to do job search but that was wrong!! had to appeal and it was such a mess. make sure you understand all the requirements
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Kara Yoshida
•This is a common misunderstanding. "Standby" status is something your employer has to specifically request for you, and it only applies in certain situations like seasonal work or temporary layoffs where you're expected to return to your job. Even then, standby status only lasts for a limited time before regular job search requirements kick in. Always check your specific requirements in your ESD account.
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Elliott luviBorBatman
Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I'll definitely file my weekly claim this Sunday and keep doing my job search activities. I just wish ESD made all this clearer when you first apply. I've set a reminder on my phone for Sunday so I don't forget to file. One more question - how long does it typically take to get the first payment after the waiting week?
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Demi Hall
•After your waiting week and assuming your application is approved without any issues, you'll typically see your first payment within 2-3 business days after filing your weekly claim if you have direct deposit set up. If you're getting the ESD debit card, it can take 7-10 days for the first card to arrive in the mail. Any subsequent payments to the card are usually available within 2 business days after you file your weekly claim. Just be prepared that if your claim gets flagged for any reason (identity verification, job separation issues, etc.), it could go into adjudication which can delay payments significantly. That's why it's important to respond to any ESD requests for information right away.
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