My friend works at ESD (not posting officially) and says that over 70% of layoff claims go through with no issues as long as you document properly. Most employers don't contest legitimate layoffs because they know they'll lose and their unemployment insurance rates are affected by layoffs regardless of whether they contest. He says to just be honest, upload documentation, and don't worry too much unless you actually receive an adjudication notice.

One important thing to understand is that the separation form is actually for YOUR protection in the process. It gives you the opportunity to document your side of the story BEFORE any potential issues arise. Make sure you: - Use clear, factual language (no emotions or accusations) - Specify it was a layoff due to budget cuts/reduction in force - Include the names of managers who informed you - Note that others were also laid off (if applicable) - Upload your layoff notice - List any severance or final payments you received This creates a solid record that makes it much harder for an employer to successfully contest later. Many claimants make the mistake of providing vague information on this form, which can lead to unnecessary adjudication delays.

Just my two cents but absolutely file for benefits right away. Don't wait and don't let embarrassment stop you. My neighbor works for ESD (not giving advice just sharing what I've heard) and says that most people who are fired for social media stuff DO qualify unless they were directly bad-mouthing the company or sharing confidential info. Your case sounds more like a personality conflict than actual misconduct.

One more thing - if your claim does go to adjudication, make sure you respond to ALL communication from ESD immediately. Missing a deadline or failing to provide requested information is the fastest way to get denied. Set up eServices alerts so you don't miss anything important. And if you need to, use the ESD secure message system to provide additional context about the situation.

One thing I'd suggest is checking if there are any messages in your ESD account that might have been missed. Sometimes they send requests for information that don't trigger email notifications. Also, make absolutely sure you're doing your weekly claims even while in adjudication! If you miss those, you could lose those weeks of benefits even after approval.

have u tried the message center in ur esd account? sometimes they respond there faster than phone. also try calling exactly at 8am and hit option 2 then 3 in the menu, worked for me last month

To answer your follow-up questions: 1. For the documentation of unsafe conditions - yes, that could qualify as good cause, especially if you have photos. Did you ever bring these concerns to your employer before quitting? ESD typically looks for evidence that you tried to resolve the situation first. 2. Regarding benefit year extensions - there aren't automatic extensions currently available like during COVID. The standard benefit duration is 26 weeks. However, there are a few options: - Training Benefits can extend UI if you enroll in approved training - Shared Work if your employer participates - In some cases, a new initial claim if you have wages not used in your first claim Based on your timeline, your most recent employment (Jan-Feb 2025) might not have been included in your base period calculation if you filed in March 2025. Your base period would likely be Q4 2023 through Q3 2024. This means those 2025 wages might be usable for a new claim, but you'd need to address the voluntary quit issue. I recommend applying for the new claim and being upfront about why you left. Upload your documentation during the application process.

dont forget u gotta keep doing job search stuff even when ur waiting for them to figure this out! my friend got denied cuz she stopped doing her activities while waiting for esd to fix her claim issues

UPDATE????? Did you hear back yet? The suspense is killing me and it's not even my claim! 😂

That's fantastic news! Congrats on the approval. Just make sure you keep doing your weekly claims and job search activities. Sometimes people get approved but forget to keep filing weekly, and that can cause payment delays.