Just saw this thread and had to add - I work for a company that regularly does layoffs and we've never contested a single legitimate unemployment claim. Any employer who tries to block benefits after a layoff is just being vindictive. Washington ESD will see through it.

I went through a similar situation about 6 months ago when my company did layoffs. My manager made some threatening comments too, but here's what I learned: Washington ESD has pretty strict guidelines about what constitutes valid grounds for contesting a claim. For layoffs specifically, employers need to prove either that it wasn't actually a layoff (like you quit or were fired for cause) or that you don't meet other eligibility requirements. Since you mentioned your whole department was eliminated, that's pretty clear evidence it was a legitimate workforce reduction. The worst case scenario is they contest it and cause some delays, but if you have documentation showing it was truly a layoff, you should be fine. I'd recommend keeping any emails about the layoffs, your termination letter, or anything else that shows the business reason for letting people go.

Hang in there - I know it's incredibly stressful. Try to take care of your mental health during this process too. The uncertainty is really tough to deal with.

I went through this exact same situation last year - 7 weeks in adjudication hell. What finally broke it loose for me was getting my state representative's office involved. I called their constituent services line and explained how the delay was causing financial hardship. They have a direct line to Washington ESD and can sometimes get cases escalated. It took about 2 weeks after I contacted them, but my claim finally moved forward. Worth a shot if all else fails - most rep offices are pretty responsive to unemployment issues since they're affecting so many constituents.

Just to follow up on all the advice here - it sounds like your best immediate steps are: 1. Continue filing weekly claims until your benefits run out 2. Get in touch with ESD directly to discuss your specific situation 3. Visit a WorkSource center for job search assistance 4. Check if you qualify for other assistance programs 5. Review your work history since filing your original claim to see if you might qualify for a new claim While extensions aren't available currently, understanding exactly where you stand will help you plan for what comes next. Best of luck with your job search!

I went through something similar earlier this year. One thing that helped me was applying for jobs slightly outside my usual construction specialty - like maintenance work, facilities management, or even warehouse positions. The pay might not be ideal, but any work history you build now could help you qualify for a new claim later if needed. Also, don't overlook temp agencies - they often have immediate openings and the work adds up for benefit purposes. Hang in there, the construction market will pick back up!

Whatever you decide, don't let them win by giving up. Even if you can't sue, file complaints everywhere - state auditor, DOL, legislature, media. Make noise so this doesn't happen to others.

I went through something similar last year and ended up not suing because the costs were just too high compared to potential recovery. But I did have some success by exhausting every other avenue first. Have you tried requesting a formal records review to see exactly what documentation Washington ESD used in their decision? Sometimes they make decisions based on incomplete or incorrect information from employers, and if you can prove that, it might give you grounds to reopen administratively rather than going to court. Also, document everything about how this has impacted you financially - even if you don't sue now, having that record could be useful if you find a more affordable legal option later.

This is gold! I wish I'd known to request my complete case file - that would have been super helpful. I was able to point out contradictions anyway, but having their full documentation would have made it easier. One thing that really helped my case was showing the timeline of when ESD suddenly changed their determination (months after initially approving me).

This is such an inspiring post! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation where ESD suddenly changed their mind about my eligibility after initially approving my claim. Reading about your success gives me hope that fighting this appeal is worth it. I've been collecting documents but feeling overwhelmed by the whole process. Your tip about showing the timeline of when ESD changed their determination is really helpful - I have emails showing they approved me initially, then months later said I was ineligible. Did you organize your evidence in any particular way for the hearing? Also, how long was your actual hearing? I'm trying to prepare mentally for what to expect.