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I'm freaking out about my appeal hearing with OAH tomorrow morning. I quit my warehouse job back in January after they slashed my hours from 40 to barely 18-22 per week - basically a 50% cut! When I filed for unemployment, I mentioned both the hours reduction AND that management was creating a hostile environment (supervisor constantly criticizing my work, scheduling me for inconvenient shifts after I complained). ESD denied my claim and the determination letter ONLY mentions the hostile work environment part, saying it's "not good cause to voluntarily quit" - but completely ignores my main reason about the drastic cut in hours!! I submitted copies of my pay stubs through eServices showing the reduction (over 25% cut which I think is the threshold?) plus ESD already has my quarterly wage info in their system. Does anyone know if this documentation will be enough for the judge? I'm worried they'll only focus on the hostile work environment stuff and ignore the hours reduction. How should I approach this on the phone hearing? Should I point out right away that they missed my primary reason for quitting? I've never done one of these hearings before and I'm super anxious about the whole thing. Any advice from people who've won appeals would be amazing!
I got hit with an identity verification issue on my ESD claim 3 weeks ago and haven't seen a penny since. I uploaded my driver's license, social security card, and a utility bill through the secure message portal right away. The online status just says "pending verification" and nothing has changed. When I finally got through on the phone after 30+ attempts, the agent just said "it's in the queue" but wouldn't tell me how long it would take. My rent is due next week and I'm seriously panicking. Anyone know how long these identity verification reviews typically take? Has calling multiple times helped anyone speed up this process? I'm starting to wonder if my docs got lost in their system or something.
Quick update: to find your state representative, go to app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/ and enter your address. It will show you who represents your district. Email them explaining your situation, include your claim ID number, and specifically mention you're facing potential eviction due to the delay. They can't guarantee fast results, but legislative inquiries often get prioritized.
UPDATE: Success! I wanted to update everyone in case it helps someone else. I tried three things from the advice here: 1. Uploaded additional documents showing my current address 2. Used Claimyr to get through to an agent who actually looked at my file 3. Contacted my state representative Not sure which one did the trick (maybe all three?), but my identity was verified yesterday and I just got all my back payments! The ESD agent I spoke to through Claimyr told me there was a note on my account that my case had been expedited due to hardship. Thanks to everyone who offered advice. This community was so helpful when I was panicking!
That's fantastic news! So glad it worked out for you. And in just a week too - that's actually impressively fast for ESD. Smart move taking multiple approaches at once.
Hey folks, I'm in a weird spot with my claim and hoping someone's been through this before. About 6 weeks ago I reopened my unemployment claim because 1) my hours got cut at one job so I quit, and 2) my seasonal position ended. I've still been working a part-time gig throughout this period and have reported all my hours and gross pay on my weekly claims. The good news is I just started a new full-time job this week (yay!) so I won't need to file anymore. But here's my concern - ESD still hasn't processed those 6 weeks of partial unemployment I filed. Will they eventually pay me retroactively for those weeks once my claim gets approved? Or am I out of luck since I'm now employed full-time? Just worried about covering some bills from that rough patch. Thanks in advance!
btw make sure ur checking ur eServices messages and spam folder. sometimes they send important notices that u need to respond to and if u miss them it delays everything!
Update after reviewing your situation more carefully: Since you had multiple employers and one job ended due to lack of work (seasonal), you should still qualify for benefits even if they determine the quit wasn't for good cause. They'll likely just apply a denial period for the voluntary quit portion. This is good news because it means you should eventually receive benefits regardless of the quit determination, though there might be a disqualification period. The main thing causing delay is probably just the investigation process for the job separation issues.
Hey everyone, I just exhausted my regular unemployment benefits (all 26 weeks gone) but I managed to find some temporary work over the past few months that gave me about 1000 more hours. It wasn't enough to keep me fully employed but at least it was something. My temp position just ended and I'm back to square one with no income. Does anyone know how soon I can open another ESD claim with these new work hours? Do I need to wait until my benefit year expires or can I file now since I've earned enough hours? The ESD website is super confusing on this and I really need to get some income flowing again ASAP. Any help would be appreciated!
Just wanted to add that you might want to consider applying for other assistance programs while you wait for your new UI eligibility: - SNAP benefits (food stamps) - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) if you have children - Housing assistance through local programs - Utility assistance programs Also, make sure you're ready to file immediately when your benefit year ends. Mark the exact date on your calendar and file your new claim that same day to avoid any delays in receiving benefits. With 1000 hours, you're well above the 680-hour requirement, so you should be approved quickly once you're eligible to file.
I went thru something kinda similar last year and ended up driving for doordash while i was waiting to be able to file a new claim. not great money but it kept me afloat and the schedule was flexible. might be worth looking into gig work just to get you through until july.
Opened my mail yesterday to find an ESD overpayment notice saying I owe $6,245 back! I'm completely shocked and confused because I was FIRED from my restaurant management job when I applied for unemployment in March. My former employer told me they wouldn't contest it since they let me go during restructuring. The letter says something about 'misconduct' being reported, but that's absolutely not what happened. Has anyone dealt with this kind of situation before? The notice says I have 30 days to appeal or set up a payment plan, but I honestly don't have that kind of money. Do I need a lawyer? This feels like my ex-boss is getting revenge for something.
During the appeal process, you can request a "stay" on collections, which will prevent them from adding interest or taking collection actions while your case is being decided. There's a specific form for this on the ESD website under "Benefit Payment Control." Also, make sure you continue to carefully document all communication with your former employer. If they reach out to you about this matter, keep records of everything. Sometimes employers will try to get you to admit to something that could hurt your case. In my experience, these appeals typically take 6-10 weeks to resolve, so prepare for a bit of a wait. The hearing itself usually only lasts about an hour.
Yes, if you're still claiming benefits you absolutely must continue your job search activities (3 per week) and report them accurately. Your current appeal situation doesn't change your ongoing eligibility requirements. Make sure you report your part-time work and earnings correctly too - mistakes there could lead to additional issues. Also, while waiting for your appeal, it's a good idea to check your eServices account regularly. Sometimes important notices are only posted there and not mailed.
Romeo Quest
One more important tip - at the end of the hearing, the judge will typically ask if you have anything else to add. Use this opportunity to briefly summarize your main points: 1. You quit primarily because your hours were reduced by approximately 50% 2. This reduction exceeds the 25% threshold established in WAC 192-150-120 3. The reduction made it financially impossible to continue the employment 4. You've provided documentation proving the reduction Keep it under 60 seconds, be respectful, and thank the judge for their time. This final summary can be very effective as it's often the last thing they'll remember when making their decision.
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Lydia Santiago
AuthorThis is excellent advice - I'll definitely prepare a brief closing statement using these exact points. Thank you so much for all your help! I'm feeling much more prepared for tomorrow now.
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Val Rossi
make sure u tell us how it goes!!! good luck!!
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