Just wanted to add that you should also prepare for questions about why you didn't file a police report for the assault. I went through something similar and the employer's lawyer kept pushing on that point. Have a clear answer ready - maybe you trusted your company's process initially, or you were focused on resolving it internally first. Don't let them make you feel like not involving police somehow invalidates what happened. Also, practice explaining the constructive dismissal concept in simple terms. I found it helpful to say something like "They made my work environment so hostile and unbearable after I reported illegal activity that any reasonable person would have felt they had no choice but to resign." The judge needs to understand you didn't just quit on a whim - you were essentially forced out through their actions. You've got this! The fact that ESD already sided with you shows your case has merit.

I went through an ESD appeal hearing last year after quitting due to workplace retaliation, and I want to share some practical tips that really helped me: 1. **Practice your opening statement** - You'll likely get 2-3 minutes at the start to tell your story. Practice a clear, concise summary hitting the key points: assault → proper reporting → retaliation → constructive dismissal. 2. **Organize evidence by theme, not just chronology** - I had folders for "Initial Incident," "Company Response," "Retaliation Evidence," and "Attempts to Resolve." Made it easier to find documents when the judge asked specific questions. 3. **Prepare for the "why didn't you just find another job?" question** - They often ask this. Good answer: "I tried to resolve the situation internally first because I valued my position and wanted to give my employer a chance to address the illegal activity properly." 4. **Those HR callbacks are GOLD** - Seriously, this is probably your strongest piece of evidence. Companies don't ask people back if they legitimately had cause to terminate or if the resignation was voluntary in the way they claim. The hearing itself was less scary than I expected. The judge was professional and asked fair questions to both sides. Trust that ESD already found in your favor for good reason - now you just need to reinforce that decision. You've got strong facts on your side!

One more tip for anyone dealing with this - if you're applying for rental assistance through a nonprofit organization, they're usually more flexible with documentation than government programs. I've seen them accept email confirmations or even screenshots from your SAW account when people couldn't print. But definitely start with the official payment history first since that's what most places prefer.

Just to add another perspective - I work as a case manager for rental assistance programs in Washington state. The payment history from your SAW account is definitely the gold standard and what we see most often. One thing I always tell clients is to make sure the document shows the state seal/logo and your full name clearly. Also, if you've had any breaks in your benefits or payment issues, it's helpful to include a brief note explaining any gaps in the payment history. Most programs understand that Washington ESD has had processing delays, so don't worry if there are some irregular dates - just be prepared to explain if asked.

Just remember to be honest on your application. Any discrepancies can cause delays or even disqualification. Better to be upfront about everything from the start.

Just wanted to add that you should also make sure you have all your employment information ready when you apply - dates of employment, employer contact info, and your gross wages for each quarter. Having this organized beforehand will make the application process much smoother. Since you worked retail for 18 months and were laid off due to store closure, you should definitely qualify. The hardest part is usually just getting through the initial application, but it sounds like you have all the right circumstances.

i almost forgot to file last week lol but the esd site was down for maintenance when i tried sunday night so i had to do it monday morning. got my payment a day late but no big deal. just dont wait til the very last minute on saturday night or you might have technical problems

For anyone else reading this thread - I just want to emphasize how important it is to understand the ESD filing schedule! I've been on unemployment for 8 months now and I see so many people get confused about this. The key thing to remember is: each benefit week runs Sunday through Saturday, and you can file for that completed week starting the NEXT Sunday. You then have a full week (until the following Saturday at 11:59 PM) to submit your claim. So there's actually a lot of flexibility in when you file - you don't have to rush to do it on Sunday morning like some people think. Just make sure you don't wait until the very last minute in case there are technical issues with the website!

To summarize for anyone else who might be confused about this issue in the future: 1. PFML (Paid Family Medical Leave) allows retroactive claiming of multiple weeks at once 2. Regular UI (Unemployment Insurance) requires weekly claims filed on time 3. When claiming multiple PFML weeks, payment typically comes as one lump sum 4. Processing time is usually 5-10 business days but can take longer 5. Keep all your medical documentation handy in case verification is requested Hope this helps clarify things!

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! As someone who's new to navigating ESD benefits, this thread has been super reassuring. I was also worried about claiming multiple PFML weeks at once when I got my extension approved last month. Reading about everyone's similar experiences makes me feel much more confident that I did the right thing. It's really confusing how different PFML and regular UI work - I wish ESD made this clearer on their website. Appreciate this community for helping clarify these things!