this whole system is designed to discourage people from appealing. the letters are confusing, the phone system doesnt work, and they make it seem hopeless. but reading this thread shows that appeals do work if you stick with it

I went through a similar disqualification last year for what my employer called "poor attitude" - which was really just me asking questions about overtime policies. The whole process is intimidating but you definitely have options. Here's what I learned: 1) Appeal immediately - you have nothing to lose and everything to gain, 2) Keep filing your weekly claims during the appeal (this is crucial for getting back pay if you win), 3) Document everything about the incident while it's fresh in your memory, and 4) Don't let the scary-sounding letter discourage you. Most misconduct disqualifications in Washington are temporary penalties, not permanent bans. The adjudicators during appeals actually listen to your side of the story, unlike the initial determination which is often based only on what your employer reports. Stay strong and fight it!

Another important tip: check your "Notices/Letters" section in eServices regularly. Sometimes ESD sends requests for information there without sending an email notification, and if you miss responding to those requests within their timeframes (usually 5-10 business days), it further delays your claim.

I've been dealing with a similar situation for 6 weeks now - stuck on pending with no explanation. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both reassuring (I'm not alone) and terrifying (some of you waited 10+ weeks!). I'm definitely going to try the "payment status" option when calling tomorrow morning, and I'll also check my Notices/Letters section since I may have missed something there too. The tip about contacting state representatives is something I hadn't considered but makes total sense. One thing I wanted to add that might help others: I discovered that if you're on social media, tweeting at @ESDwa sometimes gets a faster response than their normal channels. A friend of mine got a DM response within 24 hours asking for her claim details, though I haven't tried this myself yet. This whole system is beyond broken. We're expected to follow every rule perfectly while they can't even process claims or answer phones. Hang in there everyone - sounds like persistence eventually pays off, literally.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I'm going to set up the 10% withholding and also use the IRS calculator to see if I need to make any estimated payments. Really appreciate all the guidance.

Just wanted to add that if you're collecting unemployment benefits and also have a spouse who's working, you might want to have them adjust their W-4 withholding at work too. We found out the hard way that my unemployment income pushed us into a higher tax bracket, and my husband's regular paycheck withholding wasn't enough to cover the extra tax liability from both incomes combined. It's another option to consider if changing your unemployment withholding percentage doesn't feel like enough.

Hang in there. I know it's frustrating but most people do get approved eventually. The system works, it's just slow. Make sure you're doing everything required on your end - weekly claims, job search log, responding to any requests for information.

I went through the exact same thing when I was laid off from my restaurant job last year. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when you're new to the system. Here's what I wish someone had told me: First, definitely start filing those weekly claims right away even though your initial claim is pending - this is super important for getting backpay later. Second, keep a detailed job search log with at least 3 contacts per week (applying online, calling employers, networking events all count). Third, the "under review" status is totally normal for store closures - they just need to verify details with your former employer. It took 7 weeks for mine to get approved, but I got all the backpay once it went through. The system is frustrating but it does work eventually. Stay on top of the weekly filings and job search requirements, and try not to panic about the delay!

I went through something similar a few years ago and want to share what I learned. The most important thing is that Washington ESD distinguishes between intentional fraud and honest mistakes. If you were genuinely attempting to report your work but made errors in calculation or reporting, that's treated very differently than someone who deliberately hides employment. I had issues with reporting freelance income correctly and was worried sick about potential consequences. When I finally got through to an agent (took weeks of calling), they walked me through exactly what I should have reported and helped me understand where I went wrong. The key is being proactive - contact them before they contact you. It shows you're trying to make things right rather than hiding anything. Document everything you can about your work and what you reported, and be completely honest when you speak with them.

I can understand your anxiety about this situation, but try to take some comfort in knowing that genuine reporting errors are handled very differently than intentional fraud. From what you've described - attempting to report your part-time work but being unsure about the calculations - this sounds like exactly the kind of situation where Washington ESD looks at your intent rather than just the outcome. The fact that you were trying to report your work shows good faith, even if some details were missed or miscalculated. I'd strongly recommend getting in touch with them proactively rather than waiting. Many people here have mentioned Claimyr as a way to actually reach an agent, which might be worth trying given how difficult it is to get through their phone lines. When you do speak with someone, be completely honest about your efforts to report and any confusion you had about the process. Having documentation of your work hours, pay stubs, and what you reported each week will really help your case. The key thing is showing that you were making good faith efforts to comply with the reporting requirements.