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The whole process should be quick once you know what to do. Just file that final weekly claim with your work start date and you're done. Simple as that.
Make sure to keep your job offer letter or any documentation about your start date handy when you file that final weekly claim. Washington ESD sometimes asks for proof of employment dates if there are any questions later. Also, don't forget to update your address or contact info in the system if your new job requires you to move or change your phone number - you'll want to receive any final correspondence at the right address.
I HATE how they leave you hanging like this!!! My appeal took 9 DAYS to show up despite the judge saying "a few days" and by then I'd already had to borrow money from family just to keep my lights on. The whole system is designed to make people give up!!!!
UPDATE: My decision just came through! It was under the Documents tab like you all said. The judge reversed ESD's determination! Now I'm wondering how long until I actually see the money...should I call ESD to make sure they process it quickly?
CONGRATS!! definitely call them ASAP! Be prepared to call multiple times to get through. In my experience the squeaky wheel gets the grease with ESD!
That's amazing news! I'm so happy for you! I've been following your posts and was really hoping it would work out. Definitely call ESD today if you can - from what I've read here it sounds like being proactive really helps speed things up. Hope you get your payments soon and can stop stressing about rent!
One more thought - if you decide to appeal, consider asking the court for a fee waiver if you're low income. The $400+ filing fee can be waived if you qualify. The form is available on most Superior Court websites.
Based on everything you've shared, especially about the "updated policy" they sprung on you during the hearing, I think you should at least consult with the Unemployment Law Project before deciding. If they think you have a decent case, it might be worth pursuing. The fact that you texted your supervisor each day and they're claiming you violated a policy you never received could be exactly the kind of factual dispute that might get traction in court. To prepare for a consultation, gather: 1. Your original ESD determination letter 2. The OAH decision 3. Any evidence you submitted (like the text messages) 4. The employer's handbook with the "as soon as practicable" language 5. Any documentation showing you weren't notified of policy changes Good luck with whatever you decide!
Wow, that HR email from 3 months before sounds like it could be a game-changer! Having written proof that contradicts their hearing testimony might be exactly what you need. I'm curious - was this email something you had during your OAH hearing, or did you find it afterwards? If you didn't present it at the hearing, that could complicate things since the court typically won't consider new evidence. But definitely worth asking the Unemployment Law Project about - they'll know how to handle that situation.
@Amara Torres That HR email you found could be absolutely critical! The timing is perfect - 3 months before termination proves the policy was still in effect when you needed to use it. Even if you didn t'present it at the OAH hearing, there might be ways to get it considered on appeal, especially if it directly contradicts testimony given under oath. The Unemployment Law Project will definitely want to see that document. With that kind of smoking gun evidence plus your text message records, you might actually have a stronger case than I initially thought. Don t'let that 30-day deadline slip by while you re'gathering documents though!
One last thing - if you're ever unsure about something, it's better to call Washington ESD and ask than to guess wrong. I know the phones are busy but it's worth it for peace of mind.
Thanks! I'll check out Claimyr too if I need to talk to someone at Washington ESD.
Just to add to all the great advice here - I've been driving for UberEats while on unemployment for about 6 weeks now. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier is to keep a simple weekly log of your earnings right when you get them. I take a screenshot of my weekly earnings summary from the Uber app every Sunday night before I file my weekly claim on Monday. That way I never have to scramble to remember what I made or worry about reporting the wrong amount. Also, don't stress too much about the dollar-for-dollar reduction - even if you make $200 from Uber one week, you're still coming out ahead financially compared to just the unemployment benefits alone. Just stay honest with your reporting and you'll be fine!
That's really smart about taking screenshots every Sunday! I was wondering how to keep track of everything properly. Do you also save those screenshots somewhere safe in case Washington ESD ever asks for proof later? I'm paranoid about losing documentation and then having issues down the road.
Yes absolutely! I upload all my screenshots to Google Drive in a folder called "Unemployment Earnings" so they're backed up and easy to find. I also keep a simple Excel sheet with the date, amount earned, and which screenshot file it corresponds to. Washington ESD can request documentation going back months or even years in some cases, so having everything organized and accessible is super important. Better to be over-prepared than scrambling to find records later if they audit your claim!
Zoe Walker
I'm going through a similar situation right now - escalated through the governor's office about 10 days ago and still waiting for that adjudicator call. It's so stressful not knowing when it will happen! From what I'm reading here, it sounds like 1-2 weeks is pretty typical, but employer disputes like yours can take longer. I'd suggest setting up a separate ringtone for unknown numbers so you don't miss the call, and maybe start documenting everything about your layoff situation now while it's fresh in your memory. Hang in there - at least you got the escalation which seems to actually work for most people eventually.
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Christian Bierman
•That's a great idea about the separate ringtone for unknown numbers! I'm definitely going to do that. And you're right about documenting everything - I've been so stressed I hadn't thought about writing down all the details while they're still clear in my mind. Thanks for the encouragement, it helps to know others are going through the same thing right now.
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Ashley Adams
I'm in a similar boat right now - escalated my claim through the governor's office about 5 days ago and anxiously waiting for that adjudicator call. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking! It sounds like the timeline really varies depending on your specific issue and how backed up they are. One thing I've learned from dealing with ESD is to keep detailed records of every interaction - dates, times, reference numbers, names if you get them. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're continuing to file your weekly claims even while waiting. I made that mistake early on and it caused additional delays. The financial stress is real though. While waiting, I've been looking into local food banks and utility assistance programs. Many have specific programs for people waiting on unemployment benefits. It's not ideal, but it helps bridge the gap. Hoping you hear back soon!
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