


Ask the community...
make sure u DRESS NICE for ur hearing even if its on zoom!! my bro wore a tshirt to his appeal and the judge was like super judge-y about it lolol
The whole system is DESIGNED to trip people up with confusing questions so they can deny benefits. I've been fighting with ESD for MONTHS. Even when you win your appeal, they take FOREVER to actually pay you. It's disgusting how they treat pregnant women. I had to move back in with my parents at 30 because of these games they play.
While the system can certainly be frustrating, I recommend focusing on addressing the specific issue in the appeal rather than expressing general frustration with the system during the hearing. Administrative Law Judges are looking for facts relevant to your case, and showing too much emotion can sometimes work against you.
wait does anyone know what happens with the appeal if you start working again before they make a decision? i also got denied and appealed and have a hearing next week but i just got a new job. do i still get the back unemployment money if i win?
Yes, even if you're working now, you can still receive back benefits for the weeks you were eligible and properly filed claims. Just make sure to report your new employment and earnings correctly on any weekly claims you file going forward. Congratulations on the new job!
Update: Got the official decision in the mail today! The ALJ totally sided with me and said ESD was wrong to deny my benefits. The letter says I'm eligible from my original filing date and ESD is ordered to pay all my back benefits! Now just waiting for the money to actually show up in my account. Feeling so relieved!
This happened to me too!!! The whole system is rigged against students. I got denied because of "school conflicts" even though I could work weekends and evenings. It's so frustrating. Let us know how your appeal goes - I gave up and didn't fight it.
One more thing - when you file your appeal, check the box requesting an IN-PERSON hearing if possible (not phone). Statistical data shows appeal approval rates are higher for in-person hearings versus phone hearings. Bring all your documents organized in a folder with tabs. Also, in your situation, the Training Benefits program really does sound like the best option. You can apply for it separately from your appeal. If approved, it would override the able and available issue completely. The application is on the ESD website under "Services" then "Training Benefits" - there's a downloadable form.
I just looked up the Training Benefits program and filled out the application! It specifically mentions healthcare training as a priority area. I had no idea this existed - thank you so much for pointing me in this direction. I'll still proceed with my appeal but this seems like it might solve the whole problem.
Jamal Harris
just wondering did you have a phone hearing or in-person? ive got mine scheduled for next week and im super nervous about what to expect
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Mateo Sanchez
•Mine was a phone hearing. It was much less intimidating than I expected! The judge explained the whole process at the beginning. Have all your documents ready and organized so you can reference them easily. Also, find a quiet place where you won't be interrupted. Good luck with yours!
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Andre Rousseau
The statutory requirement is that the judge must issue a decision within 30 days of the hearing date. However, most OAH judges in Washington issue decisions within 5-10 business days. The decision will be mailed to you and also uploaded to your ESD eServices account. A few important notes: 1. Continue filing weekly claims during this waiting period 2. If you win, ESD should automatically process your back payments 3. If there's a delay beyond 2 weeks after a favorable decision, contact ESD No-shows by employers generally favor the claimant, but the judge must still apply the law to the facts presented. The outcome depends on your specific situation and the evidence in your case file.
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Mateo Sanchez
•Thank you for the thorough explanation! I'll keep filing my weekly claims and check both my mail and eServices account. Fingers crossed the decision comes quickly.
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