Just to give you some realistic expectations - even with good cause, they don't approve every backdate request. But given that you stopped filing because of temporary work and you're still in your benefit year, you have a decent chance of success.

Update us when you get through to them! I'm in a similar boat and curious to hear how it goes. Good luck with your backdate request.

Remember that exhausting unemployment benefits doesn't mean you're a failure. The system isn't designed for long-term unemployment even though that's the reality for many people right now. You're doing everything you can in a tough situation.

One last practical tip - if you have any unused vacation time or other benefits from your last job, now might be the time to look into cashing those out if possible. Every little bit helps when you're transitioning off unemployment.

Just wanted to add that if you end up needing to appeal a decision or have complex issues with your claim, you might want to look into getting help from someone who knows the system. I used Claimyr when my claim got denied initially and they helped me understand the appeal process. Ended up getting approved after all.

One last thing - make sure you have all your employer information ready when you file. You'll need company names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation. Having it all organized makes the application process much faster.

Good luck with your application! Remember, thousands of people go through this process successfully every week. You've got this. Just take it one step at a time and don't hesitate to ask questions if you get stuck.

Welcome to the unemployment club nobody wants to join! But seriously, the process isn't as scary as it seems once you get started. The hardest part is just taking that first step and submitting the application.

The Washington ESD phone system is absolutely horrible. I spent weeks trying to get through before someone told me about Claimyr. Best money I ever spent - they got me connected to an agent in like 20 minutes and I was able to get my claim issue resolved that same day. Sometimes you just need to talk to a human to get things straightened out.

Don't let a denial discourage you from appealing! The initial determination process is pretty automated and doesn't always catch all the details of your situation. The appeals process involves actual humans who can look at your case more carefully. I've seen plenty of people win appeals even when their initial denial seemed justified.