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this whole thread is so helpful!! im in almost teh exact same situation but with a coworker not a trainer. saving all this advice for myself too. good luck OP hope it works out for u
I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful. One thing I wanted to add - if you do end up quitting and filing for unemployment, be prepared for the fact that your former employer might contest your claim even if they know they were in the wrong. Some companies automatically contest every unemployment claim regardless of the circumstances just to try to keep their unemployment insurance rates low. Also, when you talk to your doctor about the anxiety/panic attacks, ask them to specifically document how your work environment is contributing to these symptoms. The more detailed the medical documentation, the stronger your case will be. My therapist wrote a letter stating that my workplace stress was "significantly exacerbating" my anxiety disorder, and I think that language really helped during my appeals process. Hang in there - toxic workplaces are awful and you deserve better than what you're dealing with.
This is really solid advice about employers contesting claims automatically. I didn't know they did that just to keep their rates low - that's so frustrating! The point about getting specific language from your doctor is spot on too. When I was dealing with a similar situation last year, my doctor used pretty generic terms in the first letter and ESD didn't seem to take it seriously. Having them explicitly connect your symptoms to the workplace environment makes all the difference.
OP, I just wanted to say good luck with your appeal. This stuff is stressful but you seem to have done things correctly. Hope it works out in your favor.
I went through something very similar last year with a $3,400 overpayment notice from 2020-2021. Like you, I was terrified and confused because I thought I had reported everything correctly. I appealed it and gathered all my documentation - pay stubs, weekly claim certifications, bank statements showing when I deposited paychecks, everything. Turned out ESD had made an error in how they calculated my benefit year earnings base period. The whole overpayment got reversed after my hearing. Don't give up hope - these errors happen more often than you'd think, especially for claims from that chaotic pandemic period. Document everything you can remember about your work schedule and earnings reporting, and definitely appeal before the deadline. You've got this!
One last tip - if you're ever selected for a job search audit, respond quickly and provide all requested documentation. Delays can cause issues with your benefits.
I'm new to Washington unemployment and this thread is incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add - I've found that creating a simple weekly schedule helps me stay consistent with the job search requirements. I block out specific times for applications, networking, and other activities rather than scrambling at the end of the week. Also, don't forget that career counseling sessions at WorkSource count too - they're actually pretty valuable for getting feedback on your resume and interview skills while meeting your requirements.
That's a great approach! I like the idea of scheduling specific times for job search activities instead of leaving it to the last minute. Do you find that certain times of day work better for applications versus networking activities? I'm trying to figure out the most efficient way to organize my job search efforts.
I'm in almost the exact same situation - filed my claim about 8 days ago after being laid off and still showing "under review" status. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking! It sounds like 2-3 weeks is pretty normal for straightforward layoff cases, which gives me hope. I've been keeping up with my weekly claims and job search logging, so hopefully that keeps things moving smoothly. The hardest part is just not knowing - I keep refreshing my account hoping for an update. Thanks for asking this question, it's exactly what I needed to read today!
I'm so glad this thread is helpful for you too! It's such a relief to know we're not alone in this waiting game. The "under review" status is definitely anxiety-inducing when you're counting on those benefits to pay bills. Sounds like you're doing everything right with the weekly claims and job search logging - that's what everyone here says is most important. Hopefully we'll both get good news soon! I'll definitely update this thread when I hear something, and I hope you'll do the same. We're in this together!
I went through this exact same process last year and completely understand the anxiety of waiting! For what it's worth, my timeline was pretty typical - filed my claim after a layoff, stayed in "under review" for about 16 days, then got approved with all back payments. The key things that helped me were: 1) keeping up with weekly claims (which you're already doing), 2) checking my SecureAccess account daily for any requests for additional info, and 3) making sure all my job search activities were logged properly in WorkSourceWA. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're worried about bills, but it sounds like you're doing everything right. Most layoff cases are pretty straightforward and get processed within that 2-3 week window everyone mentioned. Hang in there - you're probably closer to approval than you think!
Isabella Ferreira
For anyone still struggling to get through to Washington ESD about MEUC questions, I can't recommend Claimyr enough. It's been a lifesaver for getting actual answers instead of waiting on hold for hours.
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NeonNinja
•I might have to try that. This waiting game with Washington ESD is really stressing me out.
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Isabella Ferreira
•Definitely worth it. The peace of mind from actually talking to someone who can look at your account is huge.
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Ravi Gupta
I was in a similar situation as Emma - saw MEUC on my account but had no idea what it meant. After reading through all these responses, I'm realizing I probably qualified since I had freelance graphic design work alongside my regular job. The $100 weekly supplement would have been really helpful during my unemployment period. It's frustrating that these programs aren't better publicized - seems like a lot of people who could have benefited never even knew they existed.
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