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!

I'm another newcomer to this community but felt compelled to share after reading your story. Your case sounds incredibly strong to me - having documented medical issues (both mental and physical), proof that you requested accommodations, AND a restraining order that management failed to enforce creates multiple solid grounds for good cause. The employer no-show is just the cherry on top. I went through something similar about a year ago (workplace harassment that triggered severe anxiety, plus a back injury from an unsafe work environment). My employer DID show up but I still won because the documentation was so clear. In your case, with no one there to challenge your testimony or evidence, I'd be shocked if you don't get approved. The waiting is absolutely the worst part - I was also down to almost nothing financially and checking the mailbox obsessively. But try to stay positive! From everything I've read in this thread and my own experience, cases like yours with solid medical documentation and clear employer failures typically result in approval. You did everything right by documenting the accommodation requests and involving the police with the restraining order. Sending good vibes your way - please update us when you get your decision!

Update from earlier - I tried Claimyr this morning and got through to Washington ESD in about 10 minutes. Agent told me my redetermination was approved last Thursday! She said the back pay should show up in my account by tomorrow. So relieved to finally know what's happening. Thanks to whoever recommended that service!

I'm going through something similar and this thread has been really helpful! I submitted my redetermination documents about 4 weeks ago and have been anxiously waiting. My case is also about separation circumstances - my employer is claiming I was terminated for performance issues but I believe it was actually due to company restructuring. Reading everyone's experiences gives me hope that I'll hear something soon. It's encouraging to see so many people getting approved and receiving their back pay, even if the wait is stressful. I think I'm going to try that Claimyr service tomorrow since it seems like several people have had success getting through to an actual agent that way.

Bottom line - yes you can work part-time and collect unemployment in Washington. Just be honest, report everything accurately, and keep looking for full-time work. It's actually a great way to bridge the gap while job hunting.

One thing I'd add is to keep detailed records of your part-time work schedule and earnings for your own records. I create a simple spreadsheet with dates, hours worked, and gross pay for each week. This has saved me so much time when filing my weekly claims and makes it easy to double-check that Washington ESD processed everything correctly. Also, if you ever get audited or have questions about your claim later, having your own documentation is invaluable. The 15-20 hours at $18/hour sounds like a perfect setup for partial benefits!

The whole system is set up to confuse people. Why can't Washington ESD just have clear guidance on their website about common situations like this?

Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses! This thread has been incredibly valuable. I'm feeling much more confident about filing my claim now. It sounds like the key points are: 1) WARN Act pay is different from regular severance and typically doesn't delay your claim, 2) You still need to report it on weekly certifications as other income, and 3) Be transparent about everything when filing. I'll make sure to clearly indicate it's WARN Act pay (not regular severance) when I file this week. Really appreciate this community for providing real-world experiences when the official channels are so hard to navigate!

After reviewing your responses here, I suspect there may have been a system issue or misinterpretation of your weekly claim answers. This happens more often than ESD admits. For your appeal, focus on these key elements: 1. Your consistent job search activities (3+ per week) 2. Your full availability for work (no restrictions on hours/days) 3. Your willingness to accept suitable work 4. Any miscommunications or system errors that might have occurred Technically speaking, the burden of proof in these hearings shifts to ESD. They must prove you were NOT available, rather than you having to prove you WERE available. However, having solid documentation significantly strengthens your case. The current appeal process is taking about 6-8 weeks from filing to hearing, and another 1-2 weeks for the decision. Administrative Law Judges are overturning about 58% of 'able and available' disqualifications according to the most recent OAH statistics.

I went through a similar situation last year and won my appeal! One thing that really helped my case was creating a detailed spreadsheet showing every job I applied for during each disqualified week - including company name, position, date applied, and method of application. I also included screenshots of job postings I applied to through Indeed and other sites. The Administrative Law Judge was impressed with my organization and it clearly showed I was actively seeking work. Another tip: if you had any phone or video interviews during those weeks, bring documentation of those too - it proves you were not only looking but actually getting responses. The fact that you mentioned having an interview scheduled probably worked in your favor, not against you, because it shows employer interest. Good luck with your appeal - you've got this!