Just remember the weekly benefit is also subject to the state maximum. Even if the formula gives you a higher amount, you can't get more than the max weekly benefit amount.

All this talk about calculations is making my head spin. I just want to know why I'm only getting $200 a week when I was making $800 a week at my job. Seems like I'm getting screwed somehow.

Update us on how it goes! This thread has been really helpful for understanding the appeal process. Good luck with your case!

Just want to add something that helped me during my appeal - make sure you get your employee handbook and any written policies from your employer. If they're claiming misconduct, they need to show you actually violated a specific policy. In my case, what they called "misconduct" was actually just a disagreement about procedures that wasn't covered by any written rule. Also, if you have any text messages or emails with your supervisor about the scheduling issues, those can be really valuable evidence. The judges want to see the actual facts, not just what your employer claims happened.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I'm going to get documentation from my doctor this week and submit the exemption request. Hopefully Washington ESD will approve it so I can focus on healing instead of pretending to look for jobs I can't do.

I went through a similar situation with Washington ESD last year when I had carpal tunnel surgery. The key is being very specific in your doctor's documentation. My orthopedic surgeon had to write that I was "medically unable to perform repetitive hand motions required for data entry, typing, or manual labor" and gave specific weight restrictions. Generic letters saying you're "unable to work" won't cut it. Also, submit everything through the online portal AND follow up with a phone call (or use that Claimyr service if you can't get through). The whole process took about 3 weeks for me, but it was worth it to not have to fake apply for jobs I couldn't physically do. Keep documenting your job searches until you get official approval though - don't risk your benefits over a technicality.

Bottom line - yes Walmart will probably contest your claim, but that doesn't mean you won't win. Washington ESD sees through their standard objections all the time. Focus on documenting your case rather than worrying about their response. File now and build your evidence for adjudication.

I went through this exact situation with Walmart last year - they absolutely will contest your claim, but don't let that discourage you from filing. I was terminated for what they called "policy violations" but it was clearly retaliation for reporting safety issues to management. The adjudication process took about 7 weeks, but I ultimately won my case because I had solid documentation. Make sure you keep copies of all your safety complaint emails, any responses from management, and try to get witness statements from coworkers who can verify the timeline of events. Washington ESD adjudicators are experienced with these types of cases and can usually spot legitimate retaliation claims. File your claim today - every day you wait is money lost, regardless of whether they contest it or not.

I went through something very similar earlier this year - filed in September and everything was processing normally until suddenly it went into adjudication in early October. Turned out ESD had sent me a separation questionnaire that I completely missed because I wasn't checking my eServices inbox regularly enough. Once I found and completed it, my claim was approved within 10 days and I got all my back pay. The key lesson I learned is to check your eServices account every single day, not just when you file your weekly claims. They don't always send email notifications for important documents. Since you already found and completed that questionnaire, you're probably in much better shape now. Keep filing weekly and hang in there!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed on 9/28 and was in normal processing until 10/22 when it suddenly switched to adjudication. Like you, I was panicking because I couldn't figure out what I did wrong. After reading through these comments, I immediately logged into my eServices account and found TWO questionnaires I had completely missed - one about my work search activities and another about my separation from my last job. I had been relying on email notifications and apparently that's not how it works! Just submitted both questionnaires and really hoping this gets things moving. It's such a relief to know this is a common issue and not necessarily a red flag about my claim. Thanks for posting this - it literally helped me solve my problem!