Stay strong and keep filing those weekly claims! The back pay will come eventually and hopefully your decision arrives soon. It's a broken system but don't let them wear you down.

I'm going through a similar situation right now - filed my appeal in September and had my hearing in October, still waiting for the decision. It's incredibly stressful when you're counting on that income to pay rent and utilities. One thing that's helped me stay sane is setting a specific day each week to check for updates rather than obsessively checking every day. Also seconding what others said about continuing to file weekly claims - I almost made that mistake too until someone on here warned me. Hang in there, it sounds like you have a strong case with the documentation you mentioned.

btw did u answer YES to the question about being fired when u first filed your claim? sometimes people say no to that question thinking it helps them but it actually causes problems later when ESD finds out from ur employer. just wondering if that could be part of why ur claims r denied

I'm going through something similar right now - was terminated for attendance related to my disability accommodation. From what I've learned lurking here, the key thing is documenting EVERYTHING. Make sure you have copies of your original ADA accommodation paperwork, all doctor's notes (especially for that 4th day), any communications with HR about your condition, and proof that you followed proper call-out procedures. Also, when you do get that determination letter and file your appeal, consider requesting an "in-person" hearing (which is usually by phone now). Having a real conversation with the judge seems to work better than just submitting paperwork. The judge can ask follow-up questions and really understand that your absence wasn't willful misconduct but a medical necessity. Hang in there - it sounds like you have a solid case based on what others have shared about similar situations!

My sister got in trouble for not reporting her freelance work right away so definitely file your claim and report the hours! Better to report and get $0 than have them come after you later about it. ESD is serious about this stuff.

I went through something very similar when I started a contract position last year. Just wanted to emphasize what others have said - definitely keep filing your weekly claims and report everything accurately. The key thing that helped me was treating it exactly like any other job for reporting purposes: report the hours worked and estimate your gross earnings for that week. One thing I learned the hard way is to be super consistent with how you report each week. If you're calculating based on an hourly rate, use the same method each time. And don't stress too much about the exact dollar amount if you're unsure - ESD understands that contract work can have variable pay. The important thing is showing good faith effort to report honestly. Since it's a 6-month contract, you might want to think about whether you'll be looking for other work during that time, as that affects how you answer the job search questions. Good luck with the new position!

One more thing about Claimyr - if you do use their service to reach Washington ESD, make sure you have all your questions ready beforehand. The ESD agents are usually helpful once you actually get through to them, but the call can be limited in time.

I work in HR and see this situation fairly often. While refusing a drug test is generally considered refusing suitable work, there are some nuances that might help your case. If you have a medical marijuana card or are on prescription medications that would cause a positive result, you might have grounds for appeal. Also, some employers are willing to work with candidates who are honest about needing time to get clean - it's worth asking about delayed start dates in the future. The key is being truthful with ESD about what happened and why. They do investigate these cases individually, so don't assume you're automatically disqualified.

yaaaaay!!!! 🎉🎉 so happy for you!! now you can breathe again!!

Congratulations on getting your payment! That's such a huge relief after 10+ weeks of uncertainty. Your story gives me hope as someone who's currently waiting for my own adjudication to resolve. It's stories like this that remind us the system does eventually work, even if it feels broken while you're stuck in it. Enjoy being able to pay that rent and get back on solid ground with your kids! 🙏