Washington Unemployment
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Worker retraining benefits ending but training not complete - ESD extension options?
Hey everyone, we're in a tough spot here. My husband got injured at his construction job last October and has been in a worker retraining program since February. The program is supposed to last until November (still has 5 months left), but the ESD office just called yesterday saying his benefits run out next week! We're totally blindsided by this - nobody mentioned this could happen when he enrolled. Is there any chance the benefits extend automatically to cover the whole approved training period? Or is there some extension form we need to fill out? His retraining counselor is out of office until Monday, and we're freaking out about how to pay bills if there's a gap. Anyone dealt with worker retraining benefits running out mid-program before?
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How to withdraw ESD overpayment waiver request - urgent help needed!
Hey everyone, I submitted an overpayment waiver request to ESD about three weeks ago, but now I'm thinking it was a mistake. I'm worried it might cause problems with my previous claims that were already settled. I've looked everywhere on the eServices portal but can't find any option to withdraw or cancel the waiver request I submitted. Has anyone successfully withdrawn a waiver request before? Is there a direct email address I can use instead of calling that impossible phone line? I've tried calling for two days straight and can't get through. Getting pretty anxious about this hanging over my head!
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Just to follow up on my earlier comment - definitely do both the email AND the secure message like others suggested. Belt and suspenders approach is best with ESD. And make sure to check your spam folder for responses too. Their emails sometimes end up there.
Update: I sent both an email to the recovery address AND a secure message through eServices yesterday morning. Just got a response to my email confirming they've received my withdrawal request and will process it within 5-7 business days! Thanks everyone for your help with this. Such a relief to have it in progress!
Great to hear! Make sure to keep an eye on your online account over the next few weeks to confirm the status reverts back properly. Sometimes there can be system delays in updating the portal even after they've processed your request internally.
congrats! much faster than dealing with phone hell right?
ESD unemployment appeal hearing tomorrow - denied for 'insubordination' after schedule change conflict
I'm absolutely terrified about my appeal hearing with ESD tomorrow. After working at the same company for 3 years with nearly perfect attendance, new management took over and tried to completely change my work schedule with only 4 days notice. I explained I couldn't accommodate this sudden change because of established childcare arrangements and other personal obligations that couldn't be rearranged so quickly. They fired me for refusing the new schedule, and when I filed for unemployment, the adjudicator denied my claim citing "insubordination" as the reason. I've never been so stressed - I really need this appeal to go my way as my savings are almost gone. Has anyone successfully appealed a similar situation? What should I focus on during the hearing? Any advice would be incredibly appreciated!
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I'm an employment attorney (though not YOUR attorney, so this isn't formal legal advice). For your unemployment appeal hearing, the legal standard to focus on is whether there was "misconduct" that would disqualify you from benefits. Insubordination can be misconduct, but refusing a schedule change with only 4 days' notice when you have legitimate childcare constraints is generally NOT considered misconduct under Washington unemployment law. Key points for your hearing: 1. Emphasize that you were willing to work with them on a solution but needed reasonable accommodation and time to arrange childcare 2. Note that you had a consistent schedule for 3 years that was suddenly changed 3. Explain specifically WHY 4 days wasn't enough time (childcare contracts, provider availability, etc.) 4. Frame it as an impossible choice, not insubordination Under WAC 192-150-120, a substantial involuntary change to your work agreement can constitute good cause for leaving employment, especially with inadequate notice. Stay calm, stick to facts, and don't get baited into criticizing your former employer.
Wow, thank you so much for citing the specific regulation! I just looked up WAC 192-150-120 and it seems really relevant to my situation. Is it appropriate for me to mention this regulation by name during the hearing?
Yes, it's absolutely appropriate to reference it. The Administrative Law Judge will know the regulation, but showing you're aware of it demonstrates you understand your rights. Just say something like, "I believe my situation falls under WAC 192-150-120 regarding substantial involuntary changes to working conditions." Then explain how the facts of your case satisfy the elements of the regulation.
UPDATE: I had my appeal hearing this morning and I think it went well! I stayed calm and focused on the facts about the schedule change giving me inadequate notice for childcare arrangements. I mentioned WAC 192-150-120 which seemed to impress the judge, and I had all my documentation ready. The judge said I should receive a decision within 2-3 weeks. Thank you all SO MUCH for your advice - it made me much more prepared and confident!
Great job! The fact that you were prepared and could reference the relevant regulations probably made a very positive impression. Staying calm is huge too. Now comes the hard part - waiting! But based on what you've shared, I think you have a strong case. Please let us know when you get the decision!
ESD claim randomly switching between paid and pending - no explanation for the changes
I'm losing my mind with Washington ESD right now. Got laid off from my landscaping job last month and filed for unemployment right away. My payment history is a complete mess! Week 1: 'excessive hours' (fine, I get that). Week 2: 'pending' with zero explanation. Week 3: 'waiting week' (standard, whatever). Week 4: actually got PAID (miracle!). Now Week 5: back to 'pending' for absolutely no reason! Nothing in my situation has changed at all - still laid off, still looking for work, still submitting everything correctly. This feels deliberately confusing, like they're playing games to avoid paying benefits I'm entitled to. Has anyone else had their claim flip-flop between paid and pending like this? I've called 42 times this week and can't get through to a real person. At this rate I'll be homeless before they decide to pay me consistently.
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I'm going through this exact situation and finally managed to reach an ESD agent yesterday. They told me that any change in your weekly claim answers compared to previous weeks can trigger an automatic review - even saying "no" to looking for work when you previously said "yes" (like if you had interviews one week but not the next). The agent also mentioned their system sometimes flags claims randomly for quality control. Another thing to check: did you work any hours at all during your pending week? Even a single hour can sometimes trigger a review if the system thinks there might be earnings to deduct. Once you get someone on the phone, they should be able to release the pending payment if there's no actual issue with your claim. Good luck!
This is really helpful info, thank you! I didn't work any hours, but I did answer slightly differently on one question about job contacts (I had 4 instead of 3 like the previous week). I wouldn't think that would trigger a review, but maybe their system is just that sensitive? It's crazy how little explanation they provide.
Do we need to submit weekly claims for ESD unemployment benefits EVERY week?
My husband just filed his initial unemployment claim last week after being laid off from his construction job. He got that alert to apply and completed the initial application. We're both confused about the weekly claim process now. I don't see anywhere on his eServices account to submit this week's claim. Does he need to keep filing EVERY single week? And what happens if he misses this week's deadline? Will he lose benefits or have to start the whole application process over again? The website is so confusing and we're stressing about making a mistake that costs us the benefits we really need right now. Any help would be super appreciated!
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i forgot to say my friend missed a week once and she called ESD right away and they let her backfile for the missed week. BUT she had to call within like 3 days of missing it and had a good excuse (she was in the hospital). so if he does miss a week don't give up, call them asap!!
I had the same issue last summer when I filed. The weekly claim button didn't show up until about 10 days after my initial application. Something about how their system processes new claims. But heres the weird thing - when it finally appeared, I was able to backfile for the week I thought I missed! So don't panic yet, just keep checking every day. The ESD systems are really outdated lol.
This is correct - there's often a processing period after the initial application before weekly claims become available. The system should allow backfiling for those initial weeks once the claim is fully processed. However, after that initial period, weekly claims must be filed on time every week.
Sofia Rodriguez
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE PEOPLE FAIL!!! I went through worker retraining in 2024 and they cut my benefits with 2 months left in my program. When I called they said I "should have known" about the TB program and that it was "too late" to apply. Had to take out loans to finish my training. Watch out for the fine print they don't tell you about!!!!!
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NightOwl42
I'm sorry you had that experience. You're right that the information isn't always clearly communicated. However, for others reading this thread, please know that if you apply for Training Benefits while you still have at least one week of regular benefits remaining, and your training program is approved, you should be eligible. The system has specific requirements, but it's not designed to make people fail - it's just poorly explained sometimes.
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Jamal Edwards
Update: We submitted the Training Benefits application today through eServices! Also uploaded his training plan and enrollment verification from the college. His WorkSource counselor called me back and confirmed the program is CAT-approved. Now we're just hoping there's not a big gap between benefits. Thanks everyone for your help - I'll update when we hear back from ESD.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
Awesome! Definitely keep filing those weekly claims even if there's a gap in payment. And don't be surprised if you need to call ESD to check on the status - their online updates can be slow. Fingers crossed for you guys!
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