Remember that the appeal hearing is your chance to tell your side of the story. Don't let Washington ESD's initial decision discourage you - many appeals succeed when people actually fight them.

Good luck with your appeal! It sounds like you have a strong case since you were told it was budget cuts but they're now claiming misconduct. That inconsistency alone should help you. I went through something similar last year - the key is staying calm and sticking to your timeline of events. Document everything you can remember about when they told you it was layoffs vs when the misconduct claim appeared. The hearing officers really do try to be fair, so don't get intimidated by the process.

I'm going through almost the exact same thing right now! Just had my hearing yesterday and my former employer (also a major retailer) was a complete no-show. Like you, I left due to medical issues - I have chronic pain that flared up badly and couldn't handle the physical demands anymore. My judge also didn't give away much during the hearing, but I noticed they asked really detailed questions about my medical condition and whether I tried to get accommodations first. I think that's a good sign that they're taking the medical aspect seriously. The waiting is absolutely torture when you're behind on bills! I've been out of work for 2 months now and burning through what little savings I had. Really hoping both our cases go well - it sounds like we have similar circumstances with the medical issues being the main factor. Did you happen to mention anything about trying to work with HR or asking for accommodations? I'm wondering if that matters for the decision. Keep me posted on what you hear - I'll do the same! We've got this! 🤞

I'm going through something really similar right now! Just waiting on my decision from a hearing last week where my employer also didn't show up. Like others have said, it definitely felt like an advantage to be able to tell my side without interruption or pushback. Your situation with the medical recovery and Amazon's pivot program sounds really compelling. I've been reading a lot about these cases lately, and it seems like judges are getting more familiar with how these "performance improvement" programs actually work - especially at big companies like Amazon. The fact that you were dealing with surgery recovery on top of that makes it pretty clear this wasn't just someone not wanting to work. The medical angle is so important. I think what really matters is that you emphasized you COULDN'T do the work due to your physical limitations, not that you just didn't want to. That distinction seems to be key in these good cause determinations. I know the waiting is absolutely brutal when bills are piling up, but based on everything you've shared and what others have said here, you really do sound like you're in a strong position. Keep filing those weekly claims and try to stay positive! Really hoping you get good news soon - please update us when you hear something! 🤞

I'm in a similar boat - currently on week 2 of my claim being stuck in pending status. Reading through all these responses is both helpful and terrifying! It sounds like the official rule is 4 weeks for standard UI claims, but the reality is that even after escalation it can take much longer. I'm already starting to panic about my rent payment next month. Has anyone had success with the secure message option through eServices that Gabriel mentioned? I'm wondering if that might be faster than trying to get through on the phone lines. Also, for those who successfully got escalations processed - did you get any kind of confirmation that your escalation request was actually received and being worked on?

Just wanted to add my experience to help clarify the confusion. I went through this exact situation in February and can confirm that the 4-week rule for standard UI claims is correct. However, what I learned the hard way is that those 4 weeks need to be consecutive weekly claims with NO gaps or missed filings. I had filed for 5 weeks total but had missed one week in the middle due to confusion about the process, and they told me I had to start the 4-week count over from when I resumed consistent filing. So make absolutely sure you're filing every single week without fail, even if your claim is stuck in pending status. The other thing that helped me was calling right at 8:00 AM on a Tuesday or Wednesday - seemed to have better luck getting through than Mondays or Fridays. Once I got the escalation approved, it took exactly 8 business days for my claim to move from pending to approved status. Hang in there - the system is frustrating but it does eventually work if you follow their rules precisely.

Keep checking your eServices account daily for updates. Sometimes the determination letter shows up there before they send notifications. That's how I found out I was approved.

UPDATE: Got my determination letter today - approved! Took exactly 12 business days after my phone interview. Benefits should start next week. Hang in there everyone, the wait is worth it when you finally get that approval!

Bottom line - just file your claim if you think you might be eligible. Washington ESD will determine your eligibility automatically and let you know. It's better to apply and find out than to assume you don't qualify and miss out on benefits you're entitled to.

One thing that helped me understand the eligibility requirements was looking at the Washington ESD "Am I Eligible?" tool on their website. It walks you through the basic questions about your work history, earnings, and reason for separation. While it's not a guarantee, it gives you a good idea of whether you meet the initial requirements before you file your claim. Also, make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and information about your employers from the last 18 months ready when you file - it makes the process much smoother.