Any update? Were you able to get this fixed? I'm going to be in the same situation next month when my claim expires so I want to know what actually works!

I'm so glad you got this resolved! This thread is incredibly helpful - I've been dealing with the same error for the past week and was getting nowhere with the regular phone line. It's ridiculous that ESD's system has these glitches but at least there are workarounds. I'm definitely going to try Claimyr tomorrow morning. For anyone else reading this, it sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) Wait at least 1-2 business days after your BYE date, 2) If you still get the overlap error, it's likely a system sync issue that needs manual fixing, and 3) Use a callback service like Claimyr if you can't get through by calling directly. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver when ESD's support is so hard to reach!

I went through almost the exact same situation last year and won my appeal! Here's what made the difference: I had to get a very specific letter from my psychiatrist that stated 1) my exact diagnosis (major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety), 2) that the workplace conditions were directly worsening my symptoms, and 3) that it was medically necessary for me to leave that specific job to prevent further deterioration of my mental health. The judge at my hearing emphasized that it couldn't just say I had depression - it had to connect my condition to why I couldn't continue THAT job specifically. Also document everything about your supervisor's behavior if you can remember dates/incidents. I kept a journal of the toxic interactions which really helped my case. Don't give up - mental health IS a valid reason to quit if you have the right documentation!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - the mental health stigma in unemployment decisions is real and frustrating. I had a similar experience where my initial documentation wasn't specific enough. What really helped was getting my therapist to write a supplemental letter that explicitly stated: "Due to [specific workplace conditions], continuing employment would have been detrimental to patient's mental health recovery and could have resulted in significant psychological harm." The key phrase that seemed to matter was "detrimental to recovery" - it showed that staying wasn't just uncomfortable, but actually harmful. Also, if you have any text messages or emails from that time period showing your distress, include those too. The appeals process is worth it - don't let that initial denial discourage you. You clearly have legitimate medical reasons, you just need to present them in the very specific language ESD requires.

Thanks everyone for all this great information! I feel much more confident about applying now. It sounds like partial unemployment is exactly what I need to help with the reduced hours situation.

I'm in a similar situation but at a grocery store - went from 30 hours to about 15 due to "staffing adjustments." Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea partial unemployment was even a thing. One question I haven't seen addressed: if I pick up a few shifts at another part-time job to make ends meet while my main job's hours are reduced, does that affect my eligibility? Or do they just look at the total income from all sources?

Bottom line - file for your benefits! You've earned them by working and paying into the system. Don't let unfounded fears keep you from getting help you need and deserve.

I'm glad you asked this question because it shows how much misinformation is out there about unemployment benefits! As someone who's worked in both corporate finance and now as a freelance consultant, I can confirm that filing for UI benefits has absolutely zero impact on your employment prospects. I've filed twice - once after a merger eliminated my position and again during the pandemic - and it never came up in any interviews or background checks. The system is designed to be confidential for exactly this reason. Don't let stigma or fear keep you from accessing benefits you've literally paid for through your payroll deductions. File that claim and focus your energy on your job search instead of worrying about non-existent consequences!

One last thing - keep detailed records of everything related to your claim. Dates, times of calls, copies of all documents, weekly claim confirmations. If any issues come up later, having good records will save you a lot of headaches.

I'm in a very similar situation - just lost my weekend retail job but still have my weekday office job. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea partial unemployment was even an option. The earnings deduction formula that @Jasmine Hancock explained really helps me understand what to expect. I'm definitely going to file this week rather than continuing to stress about making ends meet with just one job. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's reassuring to know I'm not alone in navigating this complicated situation.