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Another option is to visit your local WorkSource office in person. They can't fix your claim directly, but they have special contact channels to ESD that the public doesn't. I was stuck in a similar situation last year and the WorkSource staff were able to get an ESD specialist to call me back within 48 hours.
this doesnt always work fyi. i went to the worksource in tacoma and they just gave me the same phone number i already had. depends on which office and who you talk to i guess
Update: I tried both the governor's complaint form AND calling OAH this morning. OAH was actually really helpful - the person I spoke with said they're seeing this issue a lot lately. They're sending me a paper appeal form and said I should include a written statement explaining why my appeal is late, with all the documentation of my attempts to contact ESD. They said as long as I can show I made reasonable efforts to resolve it with ESD first, they'll likely grant the good cause exception. Feeling a bit more hopeful now!
That's excellent news! Make sure your statement is detailed but concise, focusing on: 1. The date you discovered you were denied 2. Each specific attempt to contact ESD (dates, methods) 3. The lack of determination letter in your eServices account 4. Any financial hardship the delay has caused If you have your determination number or can see the denial status in your account (even without the letter), include a screenshot of that as well. The good cause hearing is usually scheduled relatively quickly.
Thank you! I have screenshots showing the status as "denied" but no letter, plus my call log showing all the times I called ESD. Really appreciate everyone's help with this.
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I'm wondering if this is related to that system update they announced last month? They sent an email about upgrading some parts of eServices but I don't remember the exact dates. Maybe we're seeing the aftermath of a botched update rollout.
Yes, you're right. They're in the middle of a phased system modernization project that was announced in their April 2025 claimant newsletter. Phase 2 was scheduled for implementation throughout May and June, with weekend maintenance windows. The claim filing issues some people are experiencing are likely related to this transition period.
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One important thing to note: "just cause" in the employer's mind doesn't necessarily equal "misconduct" in ESD's determination. This is actually good news for you. Under Washington unemployment law, simple attendance issues typically don't rise to the level of misconduct unless they involve deliberate violation of known policies after warnings. If your absences were for medical reasons, even if your employer didn't accept them at the time, ESD likely will. This is why thorough documentation is so crucial. When the adjudicator reviews your case, they're looking at whether your actions meet the legal definition of misconduct, not whether your employer felt justified in firing you. In the meantime, have you contacted your local WorkSource office? They sometimes can help with emergency resources while you're waiting for unemployment benefits.
That's really helpful context, thank you. I've had a pit in my stomach thinking ESD would automatically side with my employer. I haven't contacted WorkSource yet - I'll do that tomorrow. At this point I need all the help I can get.
btw did u appeal ur termination with ur company before filing for unemployment? that can speed things up somtimes cuz it shows u tried to resolve it first
I did attempt to appeal through HR but was told the decision was final. I have the email correspondence showing I tried though - should I upload that to my eServices account too?
Yes, absolutely upload that email correspondence to your eServices account. Any documentation showing you attempted to resolve the situation through proper channels helps demonstrate good faith on your part.
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One more thing to prepare for: when you reopen your claim, ESD will contact your most recent employer to verify your work separation reason. Since you're transitioning from FMLA to unemployment, make sure you're clear about why you can't return to your previous position. If you voluntarily chose not to return without medical necessity, it could potentially disqualify you. But if you have medical documentation showing you cannot return to that specific job but can work elsewhere, you should be covered.
This is a good point. My employer actually eliminated my position while I was on FMLA (they were going through layoffs). They offered me a different position with significantly reduced hours that I couldn't accept due to my medical restrictions. I should probably document all of this when I reopen the claim, right?
Absolutely document all of that! That's a completely different scenario and actually strengthens your case for unemployment eligibility. Make sure to upload any documentation showing the elimination of your position and the offered alternative that didn't accommodate your medical needs. This is exactly the kind of detail ESD needs to process your claim correctly.
ppl are making this way more complicated then it is lol!! just reopen ur claim, check the box that says u were on medical leave, provide the dates, done! ive done this twice no problems
It totally depends on your specific situation though. I thought mine would be simple too and ended up in adjudication for weeks because of the details. Better to be over-prepared than stuck with no income!
Myles Regis
One more important thing: document EVERYTHING. Every time you call ESD, write down the date, time, who you spoke with, and what they told you. If they make any promises about your repayment plan, ask for it in writing or at minimum get a reference number for the call. I've seen cases where claimants negotiated payment plans, only to have them not properly noted in the system. Then they were surprised when different amounts were withheld than what they agreed to. Also, check your ESD online account frequently once payments start. The overpayment balance should decrease with each payment. If you see any discrepancies, contact them immediately.
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Hugo Kass
•That's great advice. I'll definitely keep detailed records of everything. Really appreciate all the help everyone's given me here.
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Nasira Ibanez
Since the overpayment happened in 2023, you should also check if you qualify for an overpayment waiver based on equity and good conscience. The criteria changed slightly in recent years, and ESD now has more flexibility to waive overpayments in certain situations. To request a waiver, you'll need to complete ESD's financial statement form and show that repayment would cause significant financial hardship. Success with waivers varies, but it's worth trying if your overpayment wasn't due to fraud or misrepresentation. At minimum, I'd recommend asking for the lowest possible repayment rate based on your financial situation. Having some income while job searching is better than none.
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Brian Downey
•They NEVER approve those waivers!!! I filled out all the paperwork showing I could barely afford food and they still denied me. The whole system is rigged against us!!
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Myles Regis
•They do approve waivers, but the standards are strict. Generally, they look for cases where: 1) The overpayment wasn't your fault, 2) You received the money in good faith, and 3) Repayment would cause extreme financial hardship. Success rates are higher for administrative errors versus claimant mistakes.
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