Washington Unemployment
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ESD telephone system keeps routing me to automated line - can't reach a real person
I'm at my wit's end trying to get through to an actual person at ESD! Every time I call the unemployment number (800-318-6022), I just get trapped in their automated system. I've tried pressing different options, calling at different times (early morning, late afternoon), and even tried waiting through the entire automated menu to see if it eventually connects me to someone. Nothing works! The system either gives me generic information or tells me to use eServices. But I need to talk to a REAL PERSON about my claim issue that can't be resolved online. Has anyone successfully gotten through recently? Are there any special tricks or secret menu options I'm missing? My benefits are on hold and I can't pay rent next month if this doesn't get resolved soon.
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Quit instead of being fired for attendance - qualify for ESD with medical notes?
I'm really stressed out about my situation and hoping someone can give me advice. I've been having serious attendance issues at my retail job the past couple months. I just had a baby 4 months ago and returned from maternity leave, but my little one has had some health problems that required me to take him to pediatrician appointments multiple times. I also developed postpartum complications that needed medical attention. I have doctor's notes for everything! My manager just told me yesterday they're building a case to terminate me for attendance violations, but offered me the chance to resign first. I think they're trying to avoid paying unemployment. I'm wondering if I should fight it or just quit? If I have all these medical documentation for both me and my baby, could I possibly qualify for ESD benefits if I quit before they fire me? Has anyone been through something similar with ESD? I'm a single mom and really need the financial safety net until I can find something more flexible.
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Has your employer been accommodating with your medical appointments at all? if they havent been working with you on your schedule after you provided doctors notes, you might have an ADA complaint too. my sister got unemployment after quitting because her boss refused reasonable accommodations for her medical condition
They were somewhat accommodating at first, but became less flexible over time. They never explicitly denied my requests for time off for appointments, but they did start counting them against my attendance points after a certain point. I never formally requested ADA accommodations though - I didn't even think about that being an option.
After reading through this entire thread, I think you have a reasonable case for benefits regardless of whether you quit or are terminated, BUT you need to be strategic in how you navigate this. Here's my comprehensive advice: 1. If you decide to resign, make it explicitly clear in writing that you are resigning due to medical necessity, not to avoid termination. Provide copies of medical documentation with your resignation. 2. When filing with ESD, focus on the medical reasons, not the attendance issues. The attendance problems were a symptom of the underlying medical needs, not misconduct. 3. Be prepared for adjudication - almost all voluntary quits go through this process. During adjudication, provide all documentation showing: - Medical necessity (doctor's notes) - Any attempts to work with your employer on accommodations - The timeline of events including your return from maternity leave - Any evidence that your employer was unwilling to accommodate medical needs 4. Consider also exploring PFML as others have suggested, especially if your or your child's medical issues are ongoing. 5. If denied initially (which happens frequently), immediately appeal and request a hearing where you can present your full documentation. Your situation involves several overlapping areas: maternity leave protections, medical necessity, and potentially ADA considerations. With proper documentation and clear explanation of the medical basis for separation, you have a reasonable path to benefits.
Thank you so much for this detailed advice. I'm going to follow your suggestions and make sure I emphasize the medical necessity in my resignation letter if I go that route. I'll also look into PFML as an alternative. I really appreciate everyone's help - this has been incredibly stressful and all your insights have given me a much clearer understanding of my options.
ESD backdate approval received - how long until payment hits bank account?
Finally got my backdate request approved for my unemployment claim from when I was laid off in February! The message appeared in my ESD account yesterday showing 'approved' status for weeks going back to Feb 12, 2025. I'm supposed to receive around $4800 for those missed weeks (after taxes), but there's no payment date listed. Anyone know how long it typically takes for the money to show up in my account after they approve a backdate request? I've got rent coming up and really need to plan my finances. This is my first time dealing with backdated payments.
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dont forget they take taxes out if u selected that option when u filed! my backdate amount was way less than i expected
Yeah, I did select to have taxes withheld. The $4800 I mentioned is after the tax withholding. Thanks for the reminder though!
ESD payment showing 'paid' but nothing in my bank account yet - normal or issue?
Hey everyone, first time unemployment recipient here. My ESD account finally shows my weekly claim as 'paid' today (woo!) but I'm checking my bank account obsessively and nothing has shown up yet. I provided my direct deposit info when I applied 3 weeks ago. Is this normal? How long does it usually take for the money to actually hit your account after ESD says it's paid? Getting a little nervous since rent is due Friday and I'm cutting it close. Thanks!
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Just a quick tip for the future - once you're established in the system, payments usually follow a very consistent schedule. Mine always shows as paid on Tuesdays and hits my account on Wednesdays around 9am. The predictability helps a lot with budgeting. I hope you see your payment soon!
Will my unused ESD benefits still be available after a 6-month contract job ends?
Hey everyone! I've been on unemployment for about 3.5 months now, and I just got offered a temp contract position that starts in a couple weeks (which is great because I actually prefer contract work). The contract is supposed to last 6 months though, which means I'd only have used about 4 months of my unemployment benefits before starting. I'm trying to figure out what happens to my remaining unemployment benefits (roughly 2 months worth) when this contract ends. Do those remaining benefits just pause and I can pick up where I left off? Or does the unemployment claim completely reset with a new 6-month clock after this job ends? I want to take this job, but I'm also worried about the gap between the contract ending and finding new work. Has anyone dealt with this before? Thanks!!
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my cousing got a job 4 months into his claim but then they fired him after 2 weeks and he cudnt get his old benefits back had to start all over again and got less money
That's unusual. If he was still within his benefit year, he should have been able to reopen his claim and receive his remaining benefits. It sounds like either there was a disqualification issue with how his job ended, or he may have accidentally filed a new claim instead of reopening his existing one. That's a common mistake that can lead to exactly what you described.
Update: I talked to my potential employer and found out I'll be a W-2 contract employee through their staffing agency, not a 1099 contractor. That sounds like good news based on what everyone has said! One last question - does anyone know if I need to do anything special with my job search activities in the final week before I start the new job? Do I still need to complete and document 3 job search activities that week?
Yes, you still need to complete all job search requirements until your last claimed week. If you already have a verified start date with your new employer, you can request "job search deferral" (standby) for your final weeks, but honestly for just one week it's probably easier to just do the 3 activities. Make sure to report your first day of work accurately when filing your final claim!
Jacob Smithson
Update for anyone finding this thread: I called ESD this morning and finally got through to a representative after about a 45-minute wait. The agent confirmed they're experiencing extremely high call volumes right now due to some recent system changes. They recommended using the online message center in eServices for most issues rather than calling. Apparently messages are currently being responded to within 3-5 business days, which is actually faster than getting through by phone for many issues. For those who absolutely need to speak to someone by phone, they said their lowest call volumes are currently Wednesday and Thursday afternoons between 2-4pm.
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Liam Mendez
AuthorThank you for coming back to update us! I'll try the message center too, though my issue feels urgent. I appreciate you sharing the best times to call - I'll definitely try Wednesday afternoon if I can't get through tomorrow morning.
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Liam Mendez
UPDATE: I finally got through! For anyone having the same problem, here's what worked: I called exactly at 8:00am, pressed 1 for English, then 3 for questions about an existing claim, then 2 for all other questions. I was put on hold for about 35 minutes but finally got a real person! They fixed my issue in about 10 minutes. Just wanted to update in case someone else finds this thread with the same problem. Persistence is key!
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Sophia Nguyen
congrats!!! so glad u got it fixed!!
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