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ESD weekly claim phone number 6022 not working - alternative numbers?
I've been trying to file my weekly claim using the 6022 number they gave me, but it keeps giving me a busy signal or just hanging up. Is there another phone number I should be using? This is my third week trying to file and I'm getting really worried my benefits will be cut off. The ESD website is giving me errors when I try to file online too (something about 'unable to authenticate user'). Has anyone successfully filed by phone using a different number? I really need to get through before my claim gets messed up!
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How to know if my employer filed an appeal against my ESD benefits?
I started receiving unemployment benefits about 3 weeks ago after being laid off from my restaurant job. Everything seemed fine until yesterday when I checked my eServices account and saw a message saying something about a 'pending issue' that wasn't there before. No explanation or details. I'm wondering if this means my former employer is appealing my benefits? I'm freaking out because I already used some of that money to pay bills. How would I know for sure if they're contesting my claim? Will ESD notify me directly or do I need to check somewhere specific in my account? Has anyone dealt with this before?
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also check ur mail!!! sometimes they only send the important details through regular mail even if u signed up for electronic notifications. ESD is weird like that
One more thing - if it turns out your employer IS appealing, make sure you continue filing your weekly claims during the whole process. I almost messed this up thinking I should wait until the appeal was resolved. You need to keep claiming every week even with a pending issue or appeal!
That's really good to know - thank you! I'll definitely keep filing my weekly claims while this gets sorted out. Just checked my mail today and nothing from ESD yet, so hoping this pending issue turns out to be nothing major.
ESD denied benefits after wrongful termination - need advice for filing appeal without lawyer
I just got fired for 'performance issues' but it was really because I reported safety violations. My employer contested my unemployment claim saying I was fired for misconduct, and ESD denied my benefits! I think this is totally illegal and I want to sue my former employer for wrongful termination while also appealing the ESD decision. Problem is, I can't afford an attorney right now and need to file something ASAP before deadlines pass. I know I probably need to file in superior court for the wrongful termination, but have no idea what forms to use or how to connect this to my unemployment appeal. Has anyone gone through this process without a lawyer? Any advice on what forms I need or where to start? I've got bills piling up and really needed that unemployment while fighting this.
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After your ESD appeal is resolved (hopefully in your favor), if you still want to pursue the wrongful termination lawsuit, you should know that Washington is an employment-at-will state, which means employers can fire you for almost any reason EXCEPT for legally protected activities like whistleblowing about safety violations. Your case might fall under the public policy exception to at-will employment. The Department of Labor & Industries also has a whistleblower protection program you might want to check out: https://lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/workplace-complaints/whistleblower-complaints
This is incredibly helpful information. I'll definitely look into the L&I whistleblower program - I had no idea that existed! I think that might be exactly what I need for the wrongful termination part of this.
I actually won my ESD appeal without a lawyer. The key was being super organized. I created a timeline of events, had all my documentation ready, and practiced what I was going to say beforehand. The OAH judge was fair and listened to both sides. My employer didn't have documentation to back up their misconduct claim, so I won. Good luck with your case!
ESD claim status changed from adjudication to 'waiting on information' then back to adjudication - should I be worried?
I've been stressing about my unemployment claim for the past 3 weeks. It initially went into adjudication status (which I expected due to quitting my retail job), but yesterday it suddenly changed to 'waiting on information.' I got excited thinking maybe they were just waiting on my former employer... but when I checked again this morning, it's back to 'adjudication in progress'! Is this a bad sign? Does this status flip-flopping mean there's a problem with my claim? Has anyone experienced this before? I'm getting really anxious because my rent is due next week and I've already burned through most of my savings.
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btw make sure you keep doing your 3 job search activities every week and logging them even while in adjudication. my friend got approved after waiting forever but then got disqualified cuz he didn't do his job searches during the waiting period. don't make that mistake!!
Oh gosh, thanks for the reminder! I've been doing them but wasn't sure if I needed to since I'm not getting paid yet. I'll definitely keep up with it.
From my experience working with claimants, these status changes are completely normal and don't indicate problems with your claim. The ESD computer system updates statuses based on which department is currently handling your claim. 'Waiting on information' often means they're gathering employer responses or reviewing documents, while 'adjudication' means they're actively making a determination. For voluntary quit cases like yours, they're looking for documentation that shows you had good cause to leave. The fact that your claim is moving through different statuses actually suggests it's being processed, not stuck.
That's really reassuring to hear from someone with experience. I was worried the back-and-forth meant something was wrong. It sounds like I just need to be patient for a bit longer.
ESD denied my claim in adjudication - will my appeal details be shared with employer I'm trying to get rehired by?
I got denied unemployment benefits after being in adjudication and I'm stuck in a really awkward situation. I had to leave my job last September to care for my two kids who needed intensive medical treatments (ended up being 8+ months of appointments, hospital stays, etc). The adjudicator denied my claim saying I "didn't make reasonable attempts to preserve my employment relationship" before quitting. Here's my dilemma - I'm currently trying to get rehired by this same employer (they're practically the only major company in my field in this region), but it's a super competitive job market right now with barely any openings. If I appeal the ESD decision, will they share all my appeal statements/documents with my former employer? I really don't want to burn bridges or get into some ugly back-and-forth while I'm trying to get rehired. The only things I feel the company did "wrong" was mislead me about how easy it would be to return after my leave and HR never mentioned FMLA or PFML options to me. I know I should have researched more myself, but with everything going on with my kids, I was overwhelmed. Has anyone been through an appeal while trying to maintain a good relationship with their former employer? Any advice appreciated!
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One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet: if you do appeal, make sure you keep filing your weekly claims during the entire appeal process. If you win your appeal but haven't been filing weekly claims, you won't receive benefits for those weeks. This is a common mistake people make during appeals.
Thank you for this tip! I wouldn't have thought to keep filing during the appeal. Does that mean I need to keep doing the job search activities too, even while the claim is being appealed?
Yes, you must continue all job search activities and documentation during the appeal process. The requirement is still 3 job search activities per week that you must log either in the ESD system or your own records. If you win your appeal but haven't been conducting and documenting job searches, those weeks could still be denied.
THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!!! Sorry but I've been through the appeals process twice and it's totally set up to favor employers. They don't care about your family emergency, they only care about technicalities and rules. You probably won't win anyway so why risk making your old company mad if you're trying to get hired back?
not helpful to just be negative. plenty of people win appeals if they have a good case
Emma Davis
Have you tried filing by mail as a last resort? ESD actually still accepts paper weekly claim forms! You can download the form from their website and mail it in. It's slower (takes about 5-7 days to process) but at least it gets done. Here's what I did when I had a similar issue: 1. Downloaded the weekly claim form from esd.wa.gov 2. Filled it out completely (make sure to answer all the job search questions) 3. Made a copy for my records 4. Mailed it to the address on the form 5. Called after a week to confirm they received it Not ideal, but works in a pinch!
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Paolo Rizzo
AuthorI didn't know they still took paper forms! That's a good backup option if I can't get through on these phone numbers. Do you know if there's a time limit for mailing them in? Like do they need to receive it by a certain date?
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Emma Davis
The paper forms should be received within 7 days of the end of your claim week. So if your claim week ends on Saturday, they should receive it by the following Saturday. But honestly, they're usually pretty understanding if it's late because of mail delays, especially if you call and explain the situation.
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GalaxyGlider
i had this problem and ended up driving to my local worksource office. they have direct lines to esd sometimes and can help you file your claim there. just bring your id and social security card.
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Javier Morales
This is actually excellent advice! WorkSource offices can often help with unemployment issues. They don't process claims directly, but they usually have dedicated lines to ESD and can assist with basic claim filing issues. Just be sure to check their hours and if you need an appointment before going.
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