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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!!
That's maddening! I know my issue is probably a quick fix too if I could just talk to a human for 5 minutes.
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.
Thank you! I just submitted my appeal online after seeing the earlier comments. I'll give the OAH a call if I don't hear anything in the next few days.
Thanks everyone for the help! I'm going to try to get through to ESD tomorrow and ask specifically for the "Emergency Proclamation Job Search Suspension Notice" and reference the WAC emergency rule. If I can't get through I might try that Claimyr service since I really need this documentation quickly. My previous employer is claiming I didn't meet requirements during weeks when the requirements were actually suspended, so having the official documentation seems like the only way to resolve this. I'll update if I have any success!
Good plan. One more thing - make sure to also request any notices that were sent to your eServices inbox during that time period. ESD should have copies of all communications sent to you, even if you deleted them. Those notices often contained specific instructions about how to answer the job search question during the pandemic, which could help your case.
Wait isn't there like a time limit for employers to dispute unemployment claims??? It's been like 5 YEARS since the pandemic started, how can they even do this now??
There's typically a 30-day window for initial protests, but for fraud allegations or overpayment investigations, ESD can go back much further. It's unusual but not impossible, especially if the employer is claiming they just discovered information they didn't have before. The statute of limitations for unemployment fraud in Washington is longer than many people realize.
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.
These are great tips for the hearing itself. I'm definitely nervous about the whole process, but having a plan for how to handle it helps a lot. I'll make sure I'm prepared to clearly explain everything that happened.
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.
I waited 3 months after my waiver approval to get ALL my money back!! And that was with calling them every single week! The entire system is designed to wear us down so we give up. DON'T GIVE UP. Keep calling and document everything. I finally had to contact my state representative to get the rest of my payment released. Suddenly they "found" my money after the rep's office inquired. Funny how that works!!!
3 MONTHS?? I'm already at my breaking point after 2 years of fighting with them. I'll try contacting my rep if I don't see the rest of the money in the next couple weeks. Thanks for the suggestion!
Quick update based on all the comments - it sounds like you should: 1. Keep checking your account for updates daily 2. Call ESD every week to follow up (using Claimyr if you're having trouble getting through) 3. Request a formal breakdown of what weeks were included in your first payment 4. Be prepared for the process to potentially take 1-8 weeks for full payment 5. Contact your state representative if you don't see movement after 3-4 weeks It's unfortunately a common issue, but the good news is that most people do eventually receive their full payment after a successful waiver approval. The system is just incredibly slow and poorly communicated.
Thank you for summarizing everything! I feel a little better knowing this happens to a lot of people and they do eventually get paid. I'll start with calling them again tomorrow and requesting that breakdown of which weeks were in the first payment. Really appreciate everyone's help and advice!
Amara Chukwu
A few things to consider: 1. ESD processes claims in batches. If your claim was processed at the end of a batch on Tuesday, the ACH transfer might not have initiated until Wednesday morning. 2. First payments sometimes undergo additional verification at both ESD and your bank's end. 3. If Monday was your first weekly claim filing, it's normal for payment to take 2-3 business days longer than subsequent payments. If your payment doesn't arrive by end of day Friday, I would recommend contacting ESD directly on Monday. You can also check your payment status in detail under the "Payment History" section of your ESD account - it should show the exact date the payment was processed.
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Jamal Carter
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! This is actually my second payment, but what you said about batches makes sense. I'll check the Payment History section - I didn't realize it would show the exact processing date. I'll give it until Friday before I panic.
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AstroAdventurer
Any update? Did your payment come through?
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Jamal Carter
•Yes! It finally showed up this morning. Looks like it just took 3 business days. Thanks everyone for the reassurance and advice!
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