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Hope everything works out for you OP. Mental health struggles are real and valid reasons for needing support.
Thanks, that means a lot. This community has been really helpful.
I went through a similar situation about 8 months ago with severe anxiety that was making it impossible to function at work. The documentation process was definitely overwhelming at first, but Washington ESD did approve my claim. The key thing that helped me was having my psychiatrist write a very detailed letter explaining not just my diagnosis, but specifically how my symptoms (panic attacks, inability to concentrate, sleep disruption) prevented me from performing basic job functions. It took about 5 weeks for adjudication, but I got approved retroactively. Make sure you're completely honest about your limitations - they can tell when people are downplaying or exaggerating. Also, keep detailed records of all your treatment appointments and medications. The process is stressful when you're already struggling, but it's absolutely worth pursuing if you genuinely can't work right now.
This is really encouraging to hear! I'm especially glad you mentioned the importance of being specific about how symptoms affect job functions - that seems to be a common theme in successful claims. Did your psychiatrist have experience writing these types of letters for ESD, or did you have to guide them on what to include? I'm wondering if I should give my therapist some guidance on what Washington ESD typically looks for in the medical documentation.
My psychiatrist actually wasn't familiar with ESD requirements initially, so I had to do some research and guide her on what to include. I found that ESD looks for specific things like: functional limitations (can't concentrate for extended periods, frequent panic attacks interrupt work tasks), treatment timeline, medication effects/side effects, and prognosis for return to work. I also brought her examples of language other people had used successfully. It might help to call ESD directly (or use something like Claimyr if you can't get through) to ask specifically what medical documentation format they prefer. Having that conversation with your therapist beforehand definitely made the process smoother.
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Hey Mateo, glad to hear you finally got through to someone! That discrepancy with the last work date is such a common issue but it's frustrating how it can hold up everything for weeks. I went through something similar last year where my employer reported my termination date wrong by just 3 days and it caused a 5-week delay. One thing to keep in mind - even though the agent said 5-7 business days, adjudication can sometimes take a bit longer depending on their backlog. Don't panic if it goes to day 8 or 9. But definitely keep an eye on your claim status and if it hits the 2-week mark with no movement, use Claimyr again to follow up. Also make sure you save all the documentation about this issue (claim numbers, dates you called, what the agent told you) in case you need to reference it later. Hope you get your backpay soon and can catch up on those bills!
Thanks for the heads up about potential delays beyond the 7 days! I'm definitely going to save all this documentation like you suggested. It's crazy how a 3-day difference in dates can cause such massive delays. I'm just relieved to finally know what was wrong with my claim instead of being completely in the dark. Fingers crossed it gets resolved soon because I'm really cutting it close with rent and utilities at this point.
This thread is really helpful for understanding the ESD claim process! I'm new to unemployment benefits and just filed my claim last week after being laid off from my retail job. Reading about everyone's experiences with pending claims is both concerning and reassuring - concerning that delays can happen, but reassuring that there are actual solutions like Claimyr and visiting WorkSource in person. I'm going to bookmark this thread and keep these tips in mind if my claim runs into issues. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and advice!
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Good luck with your appeal! It's definitely worth fighting if you believe you're eligible. The system makes mistakes and the appeals process exists for a reason. Stay organized and don't let them intimidate you.
Thanks everyone for all the advice. I feel much better about moving forward with the appeal now.
You've got this! Come back and let us know how it goes.
I went through a similar appeal process about 6 months ago and won my case. One thing that really helped me was organizing all my documents in chronological order - termination letter, any HR communications, performance reviews, etc. The judge appreciated having everything laid out clearly. Also, practice explaining your situation out loud beforehand so you're not stumbling over words during the hearing. The judges are used to dealing with nervous people, but being prepared definitely helps your case. The whole process took about 8 weeks for me from filing to decision, but it was worth the wait when I got my back pay.
That's really helpful about organizing documents chronologically! I hadn't thought about that but it makes total sense. Did you have any trouble getting your termination paperwork from your employer? I'm worried they might not cooperate since they're probably the ones who contested my claim in the first place.
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I'm glad this thread exists because I was in the exact same situation a few months ago! Yes, you can absolutely receive both unemployment and SNAP benefits simultaneously in Washington. Your UI payments will count as income for SNAP calculations, but at $380/week you'll likely still qualify for food assistance. I ended up getting about $140/month in SNAP benefits while receiving similar UI payments. The key is being upfront about all your income on both applications and reporting any changes promptly. Also, make sure to save copies of your Washington ESD payment notices - you'll need them for your SNAP application. The process took about 3 weeks for me, but it was worth it to have that extra help with groceries while job searching.
That's really helpful to know about the $140/month you received - it gives me a realistic expectation of what to expect! I'm curious, did you have to do a phone interview for your SNAP application, and if so, how long did that take? Also, when you say to save copies of the ESD payment notices, do you mean the weekly claim confirmations or something else? I want to make sure I have all the right documentation ready when I apply.
Yes, I had to do a phone interview which took about 20 minutes. The caseworker was really nice and just went through my application to verify the information. For the ESD payment notices, I'm talking about both the monetary determination letter (shows your benefit amount) and the actual payment history you can print from your eSD account showing what you've received. The weekly claim confirmations are good to have too, but the payment history is what they really want to see your actual income. The whole process was much easier than I expected - just be honest about everything and you'll be fine!
I'm currently going through this exact situation myself! Just lost my job last month and have been navigating both the unemployment and SNAP systems. Can confirm that you can absolutely receive both benefits at the same time - they're completely separate programs administered by different agencies. Your $380/week in UI benefits will count as income for SNAP purposes, but based on what others have shared here, you should still qualify for meaningful food assistance. I'd recommend applying for SNAP sooner rather than later since the processing time can be 2-3 weeks. Also, when you do your SNAP interview (which can be done by phone), just be completely transparent about your unemployment income - they're used to working with people in this situation. Having both programs has been a lifesaver for me during this job search period!
Harold Oh
Thanks for posting this question OP. I've been wondering the same thing but was too embarrassed to ask. Mental health struggles are so isolating.
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Raul Neal
•You're not alone! I'm glad this thread is helping other people too.
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Laila Prince
•Mental health affects so many people. There's no shame in needing support.
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FireflyDreams
I'm going through something similar right now with panic disorder. One thing that helped me was getting my psychiatrist to write a very detailed letter that specifically mentioned how my condition affects my ability to handle customer interactions, concentrate on tasks, and maintain regular attendance. Washington ESD seems to want concrete examples of how your mental health impacts your specific job duties, not just a general diagnosis. Also, make sure to document any attempts you made to get workplace accommodations before you had to quit. The process is definitely stressful but there are people who do get approved for anxiety-related claims. Hang in there!
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