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u know what sux?? I had the SAME EXACT PROBLEM last month and finally got thru after calling for like 3 weeks straight. then the agent fixed my issue in literally 5 minutes. so frustrating!!
One last tip: If you've filed your appeal already, you can sometimes reach different staff by calling the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) instead of the regular ESD number. If your appeal has been assigned to OAH, you can check its status and sometimes get more information about your case. Their number is 1-800-366-0955.
One more thing - the hearing will likely be by phone due to ongoing COVID protocols. Make sure you're in a quiet place with good reception, have all your documents organized in front of you, and take notes during the employer's testimony so you can address any false statements. If you have a smart phone, I recommend using the speaker function and recording the hearing (just notify everyone at the beginning that you're recording). The Administrative Law Judge will ask you questions directly, so be prepared to clearly explain: 1. What happened on 12/15/24 in detail 2. Your prior work history and performance 3. Any policies or training related to food safety protocols 4. Why you believe the termination was unjustified Don't interrupt the employer or the judge, and don't get defensive even if the employer makes false statements. Just note them and address them when it's your turn to speak.
does anyone know if u get backpay for all the weeks during the appeal if u win? i'm in the same boat waiting for my appeal hearing and running out of money fast :/
Yes, if you win your appeal, you'll receive backpay for all eligible weeks during the appeal process - but ONLY if you filed weekly claims for those weeks. This is why it's absolutely crucial to continue filing your weekly claims even while your appeal is pending. If you miss filing for any weeks, you typically can't get benefits for those weeks even if you win your appeal.
Update: I just got the questionnaire from ESD about my missed week. It's asking if I was able and available for work, if I was physically able to work, if I was out of my labor market area, etc. I'm going to fill it out honestly stating I was traveling and unavailable. Fingers crossed this gets resolved quickly!
Finally got through to someone at ESD! Turns out there was an identity verification issue that somehow didn't trigger a notification. The agent said they've had system problems with alerts not being sent to claimants. She cleared it up right away and my payment should process within 48 hours. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.
Ava Martinez
THE ESD SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DENY PEOPLE THEIR BENEFITS!!! I'm convinced they train their employees to find ANY reason to disqualify claims. I went through something similar last month and it took FIVE WEEKS to get it fixed. Had to call 87 TIMES before I got through (yes I counted). By the time I got my benefits I was already behind on rent and had my electricity shut off. They don't care AT ALL about our suffering!!! You need to DEMAND to speak to a supervisor. Don't let them transfer you to another regular agent. Say the words "escalate to supervisor" over and over until they do it. Regular agents won't fix anything!!! Also RECORD EVERY CALL with them if your state allows it. I wish I had done this because they kept giving me different information every time I called.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•While I understand your frustration, I don't think the system is deliberately designed to deny benefits. It's just severely understaffed and the rules are complicated. Recording calls is good advice though - Washington is a two-party consent state, so just make sure to tell them you're recording at the beginning of the call.
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StarStrider
Hey just wondering - did you try the Claimyr thing? Did it work? I'm in a similar situation now and considering trying it but wasn't sure if it's legit
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Giovanni Colombo
•Update for everyone: I was able to get through to ESD yesterday! I used a combination of calling at 7:59am exactly like someone suggested and also contacting my state rep's office. I'm not sure which one actually worked, but I finally spoke with a supervisor who reviewed my case. Turns out the first agent completely misunderstood my medication situation and incorrectly flagged me as unable to work. The supervisor reversed the disqualification on the spot and said my payments should process within 48 hours. I'm still going to submit the appeal just to be safe though. Thank you all for your help during this stressful time!
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