One thing to watch out for - make sure you're still doing your 3 job search activities each week and documenting them properly. I've seen people get denied when applying for a new benefit year because they got sloppy with job search requirements toward the end of their previous claim. ESD sometimes reviews your job search logs when you apply for a new claim.

my neibor said you have to wait a week between claims??? is that true?? seems dum if your already looking for work

Don't forget to document EVERYTHING - take photos of the checks, save all emails, keep a log of all your calls and attempts to contact ESD. Write down dates, times, and who you spoke with. This will be important if you need to prove you acted promptly and didn't cash the fraudulent checks.

That's great advice. I'll start keeping detailed records of everything. I actually just got through to ESD using that Claimyr service someone recommended. They confirmed it's fraud and are opening an investigation. They're sending me paperwork to complete and told me to write VOID across the checks and return them.

One more important thing to consider: ESD may put you on a \

That's really helpful! My doctor has already documented that I need frequent breaks and can't stand for more than 20 minutes at a time. I'll ask if he can add more specifics about what kind of work I could do. Thank you!

i think i read somewhere that the average wait for OAH heraings is like 8-10 weeks now dont quote me on that but its def getting worse every year. ive done two appeals (won 1 lost 1) and second one took way longer than first one trick is to call right when they open at 8am thats when u can actully get a human on the phone

One thing I forgot to mention in my earlier reply - once you do get your hearing scheduled, you may have the option to do it by phone rather than in person. I HIGHLY recommend doing it by phone if possible. It's less intimidating, and you can have all your notes and documentation spread out in front of you where you can easily reference them. Also, judges typically allocate 45 minutes for each hearing, so practice explaining your situation concisely. Focus on the key facts that demonstrate why you qualify for benefits under Washington law. The judge will likely ask both you and your former employer specific questions, so just answer truthfully without embellishment. The good news is that a significant percentage of appeals are decided in the claimant's favor, especially when the employer doesn't present strong evidence for disqualification.

One more important thing - since her employer is in New York, there might be a slight delay as Washington ESD requests her wage information through the interstate system. This is normal, but it could add an extra week or two to the process. She should still file in Washington ASAP though, as the filing date matters for when benefits can begin. Also, Washington requires 3 job search activities per week that must be documented. New York has different requirements, but she'll need to follow Washington's rules since that's where she's filing.

Thanks everyone for the super helpful advice! I just talked to my friend and she's going to file her WA claim tonight. She's feeling much more prepared knowing what to expect with the interstate wage verification and the potential for adjudication. She also found that position elimination email and is going to save everything. Really appreciate all the insights!