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THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CONFUSE YOU ON PURPOSE!!! They make it impossible to understand so you miss deadlines and they don't have to pay you. I had 5 different issues on my claim last year and every ESD person told me something different. They're trained to give you the runaround.
While ESD certainly has systemic issues, what OP is experiencing is more likely a technical issue in the benefits system rather than an intentional barrier. Most claim specialists genuinely try to help, but they're limited by the aging computer systems that don't always display information correctly.
Update: I finally got through to ESD this morning after trying for hours! The agent explained that the system glitched because I had multiple issues being processed at once. The disqualification was for a job separation issue, but I can't see the appeal option because the decision letter was just sent yesterday and hasn't updated in the system yet. The other adjudications are for separate weeks where I had reported some part-time hours. She said to watch my mail for the determination letter, which will have appeal instructions. Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions!
Great news that you got through! When you receive that determination letter, make sure to file your appeal within the deadline (typically 30 days from the date on the letter). Include any supporting documents that address the separation issue. And definitely keep filing your weekly claims during the entire appeal process - if you win the appeal, you'll only get paid for weeks you properly claimed.
Make sure you're super clear on your appeal form about why this is wrong. When I had my hearing with the Administrative Law Judge, they specifically asked why I didn't respond to the original notice years ago. Have your answer ready - in your case, that your benefits were exhausted so you reasonably believed no response was needed. Also keep in mind that for the current disqualification, you'll need to address the performance standards issue separately. That's often a difficult basis for approval unless you can show it wasn't your fault or there were mitigating circumstances. The old paperwork issue might be resolved, but you'll still need to overcome the performance-based termination.
Absolutely include those emails about the new metrics! That's exactly the kind of evidence that can help overcome a performance-based disqualification. If you can show the standards were unreasonable or that you weren't given adequate time/training to meet them, you have a much stronger case. For the appeal process, submit both issues: 1) The training benefits form from 2018 was not responded to because benefits were exhausted, and 2) The performance standards that led to your termination were newly implemented with insufficient time to adapt. Make copies of EVERYTHING before you send it in.
So im kinda confused about this whole thing. If you attended the appointment the next day why are they punishing you? That seems so unfair. Did you try to explain to them that you went the next day? Also what is WorkSource exactly? Do I need to do those appointments too? Ive been on unempoyment for 3 weeks now.
WorkSource appointments are part of the job search requirements for receiving unemployment benefits. Some claimants are selected for mandatory WorkSource participation, which means you must attend scheduled appointments or workshops. If you've been claiming for 3 weeks but haven't been notified about WorkSource appointments, you might not have been selected for mandatory participation. However, you still need to complete 3 job search activities each week and document them. And yes, it might seem strict, but the system is designed to enforce compliance with exact appointment dates. Even attending a day late is technically a violation of the requirements.
this happened too me to except they didnt let me resechedule and i lost a whole month of benifits not just one week!! your lucky its only one week. i think its better to miss filling a weekly claim than to miss a worksource appt becaus at least with missed weekly claim u can backdate it somtimes but missed appt is automatic disqualifcation for that week
pro tip: hit 4 then 2 then 1 then 3 in the phone menu. gets u to a different queue. worked for me last time
Just to follow up - did you get your standby issue resolved? If your employer has submitted the extension request, you should be able to see the updated standby end date in your eServices account under "Summary of Current Claim." If it's been more than 48 hours since they submitted it and you don't see the update, that would be a valid reason to call in as it might indicate a system issue.
Mei Wong
I tried calling ESD for DAYS about a similar issue last month and could never get through. The wait times are insane. I finally used a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. Totally worth it when you need to actually talk to someone. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 and their website is claimyr.com if you end up needing to call about the union status thing.
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Andre Laurent
•omg i used them too!! calling ESD is literally impossible otherwise
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Carmen Ortiz
•Thanks for the tip! Hoping we won't need to call, but it's good to know there's an option if we get stuck. Those wait times are brutal.
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Jamal Washington
To directly answer your questions: 1. Yes, file normally: report zero hours/wages, available for work, and answer all questions as usual. 2. You don't need to do anything special since the claim has remained active throughout. 3. Since he maintained an active claim by continuously filing, there will be no waiting week. 4. Verify his union referral status is correctly showing in the system to avoid job search requirements. 5. Payment should process normally as long as there are no new issues with the claim. The key is that by continuously filing even during periods of work, you've maintained the claim's active status, which makes the transition back to receiving benefits seamless.
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Carmen Ortiz
•Thank you for this clear breakdown! Very helpful to have everything summarized like this. We'll file tomorrow and hopefully everything goes smoothly.
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