Thank you! I didn't know I could request my claim file. I'll definitely do that ASAP. I'm still so angry they'd accuse me of theft when I've never stolen anything in my life. I worked there for 3 years with perfect drawer counts until this inventory issue came up and I refused to go along with their sketchy requests.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress - false accusations are incredibly damaging and traumatic. As someone who's been through a similar appeal, I want to emphasize that your 3-year track record of perfect drawer counts is actually huge evidence in your favor. Make sure to get documentation of your employment history, any performance reviews, and especially any records showing you had no prior issues with cash handling. The fact that they're making this accusation 4+ months after termination, with no investigation at the time, and completely contradicting their original "business decision" reason is going to look very suspicious to the judge. Document everything about the inventory falsification pressure too - that shows a clear motive for retaliation. You've got this! The truth has a way of coming out in these hearings, especially when employers can't provide actual evidence to back up their claims.

Since your situation involves hour reduction rather than a complete separation, be prepared to explain: 1. Your normal/previous work schedule (hours per week) 2. How much your hours were reduced (needs to be at least 40% reduction) 3. Whether you were offered and refused any additional hours 4. Any communication with your employer about the reduction Having documentation like previous schedules, pay stubs showing the change, or any written communication about the reduction will strengthen your case. Hours reduction claims can be more complex than complete layoffs.

Just wanted to add - when you do call back, make sure you have your Social Security card or tax documents handy. They'll likely ask you to verify the last 4 digits of your SSN right away to confirm your identity before connecting you to the adjudicator. Also, if you get disconnected (which happens a lot), don't panic - they should have notes in your file about the callback request. The whole process can be nerve-wracking but it sounds like you're handling it exactly right by being cautious and verifying everything!

One more thing to be aware of: If your benefit year from the August claim is nearing its end, make sure it hasn't expired. Benefit years last 52 weeks from when you first filed, but you can only receive benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks within that period. If you're approaching either of those limits, you might need to file a new claim rather than reactivating the old one. Check your remaining balance in eServices to confirm you have benefits available for that one week.

Just wanted to add a practical tip from my experience: When you restart your claim that week, make sure to have all your employer information handy (company name, address, your supervisor's contact info, etc.) because the system might ask you to update your work separation details since you'll be reporting a new temporary layoff. Also, when you file your weekly claim for the furlough week, be very clear in any comment sections that this was an "employer-initiated temporary layoff/furlough with definite return date" - this helps ESD process it faster and reduces the chance of them flagging it for additional review. The whole process should be pretty straightforward since you already have the claim established. Just don't overthink it!

For filing your initial claim, seriously just go online. The phone is only worth it if you have ongoing issues with your claim that can't be resolved through the website. Save yourself the headache.

I work at a local workforce center and help people with unemployment claims regularly. While 800-318-6022 is the right number, here's what I tell everyone: file your initial claim online at esd.wa.gov first, even if you have questions. The system will flag any issues that need human review, and then you'll have a specific reason to call (like "my claim is pending adjudication" rather than general questions). This makes the phone conversation much more productive when you do get through. Also, keep all your employment documents handy - W2s, pay stubs, separation notice - you'll need dates and wage info regardless of how you file.

To answer your question about timing - if no identity verification is required, most claimants receive their first payment within 7-10 days after submitting their first weekly claim. But if they do request ID verification, it can add 2-3 weeks to the process. Just be sure to respond immediately if they request documents. Also, make sure you're completing your three required job search activities each week and documenting them properly. That's another common reason payments get held up for new claimants.

I went through this exact same situation last month! The waiting and uncertainty is definitely nerve-wracking. One thing that helped me was setting up text notifications in my eServices account - go to "Communication Preferences" and enable SMS alerts. That way you'll get immediate notifications if ESD needs anything from you, instead of relying only on email which can get buried or go to spam. Also, I found it helpful to log into eServices every couple days just to check the status, even if there are no new messages. The system updates pretty regularly and you'll see any new "Pending Issues" or payment status changes right away. You're doing everything right by staying on top of your weekly claims and job search activities!