If you can't get through, seriously consider trying Claimyr. I know I mentioned it earlier but it really does work for getting connected to an actual person at Washington ESD.

I went through this exact same situation last year. The key is being persistent and having your story straight. I was able to get 5 weeks backdated by explaining that I was overwhelmed after my layoff and didn't know unemployment was available immediately. Make sure you document everything - job search activities, any conversations with former employers, even LinkedIn searches count as job seeking activity. Also, when you do get through to someone, ask them to note in your file exactly what you discussed and get a reference number if possible. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me but I eventually got those backdated payments. Don't give up!

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.

I've been lurking in this community for a while but finally decided to create an account after reading through this thread. Your situation really resonates with me - I'm currently dealing with my own unemployment appeal after being denied benefits when I had to leave my job due to panic attacks and an unsafe work environment. What strikes me about your case is how well-documented everything is. Having medical records for both your anxiety and back injury, plus the official restraining order paperwork, creates such a strong foundation for your appeal. The fact that you have emails showing you requested accommodations just makes it even stronger. I haven't had my hearing yet (it's scheduled for next month), but reading about everyone's experiences here - especially those where employers didn't show up - is giving me some hope. The common thread seems to be that when you have legitimate medical reasons AND documentation, the outcomes are generally positive. I know the waiting is absolutely brutal when you're down to your last few dollars. I'm in a similar spot financially and the stress is overwhelming. But based on everything you've shared and all the responses from people who've been through this, I really think you're going to get a favorable decision. Please keep us updated when you hear back!

Just went through this exact situation last month. I quit due to workplace harassment and got approved for benefits. The key things that helped me were: 1) Keep detailed records with dates/times of every incident, 2) Email yourself summaries after each incident so you have timestamps, 3) Save any text messages or emails from your supervisor, 4) Try to get witness contact info if coworkers saw the behavior. I also wrote a formal complaint to HR specifically stating that the harassment was creating an unsafe work environment and kept a copy. When I filed my UI claim, I submitted all this documentation upfront rather than waiting for them to ask. My adjudication took about 4 weeks but I was approved. The investigator told me the detailed timeline I provided really helped my case. Don't let them make you feel like you're asking for something you don't deserve - if you have legitimate good cause, fight for it.

I just want to echo what others have said about documentation being absolutely critical. I successfully got approved for good cause quit due to unsafe working conditions last year. What really helped was creating a "safety incident log" where I documented each unsafe situation with photos when possible. I also kept copies of any safety complaints I filed with my supervisor and their responses (or lack thereof). One thing I learned is that Washington ESD really wants to see that you made a good faith effort to resolve the issue before quitting. So definitely file formal complaints through your company's processes first - even if you know they won't do anything, it shows you tried. Also, don't underestimate the power of having witnesses willing to back up your claims. Two coworkers provided written statements for me, and the adjudicator said that really strengthened my case. The whole process took about 5 weeks but it was worth it to get approved. Hang in there - if you truly have good cause, the system does work, it just takes patience and thorough documentation.

Just went through this exact same process a few months ago! The waiting period is definitely the worst part because you feel like you're in limbo with no information. Here's what helped me stay sane: 1. Set up a daily routine to check your mail at the same time - I made it part of my morning coffee routine so I wouldn't obsess over it all day. 2. While you're waiting, use the time to organize ALL your documentation. Create a timeline of events, gather pay stubs, save any relevant emails or texts from your employer, and write down your version of what happened while it's fresh in your memory. 3. If you haven't already, make sure your address is updated everywhere - not just ESD but also your bank, phone company, etc. You don't want the hearing notice going to an old address. The good news is that once you get that first letter from OAH, the process becomes much clearer. The OAH portal is actually pretty user-friendly compared to ESD's system. Hang in there - the waiting is the hardest part!

Going through the same thing right now! Filed my appeal 6 days ago and have been refreshing my eServices account like crazy thinking I'd see some kind of update there. Reading all these responses is such a relief - at least now I know I'm not missing something obvious online. The separate OAH system makes so much sense now that everyone's explained it. I had no idea they were completely different organizations. Already updated my address with ESD just in case and I'm going to call that OAH number tomorrow to double-check they received my appeal. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! It's crazy how confusing they make this process, but knowing what to expect helps a lot. Going to start organizing all my documentation today while I wait for that mail notice.

Based on all these responses, it sounds like audits can be triggered by a variety of things - some random, some due to data discrepancies, and some from employer reports. The most important thing seems to be staying organized and responsive. I'd recommend creating a folder with all your unemployment documentation including job search logs, correspondence, pay stubs from any work, and copies of all your weekly claims. If you do need to contact Washington ESD during the audit process, it sounds like their phone system is really difficult to get through, so having a service like Claimyr as a backup option could be helpful. Try not to stress too much - if you've been honest and following the rules, the audit should resolve in your favor even if it takes some time.

I went through an audit about 6 months ago and it was definitely stressful at first, but it ended up being resolved fairly quickly once I provided the documentation they requested. In my case, it was triggered because I had moved during my unemployment period and they wanted to verify I was still actively seeking work in my new area. The audit letter I received was pretty vague too, which made it more anxiety-inducing than it needed to be. What helped me was immediately gathering all my records - job search logs, applications I'd submitted, any emails from potential employers, and copies of all my weekly certifications. I also made sure to respond to their requests within the timeframes they specified. The whole process took about 3 weeks from start to finish. If you've been filing honestly and keeping up with the work search requirements, you should be fine. Just stay organized and don't let the initial panic get to you - most of these audits are routine checks rather than investigations into wrongdoing.