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I'm actually a former Washington ESD employee and I can tell you that the appeals process, while slow, is generally fair. The administrative law judges are independent and don't have quotas or pressure to deny claims. If you were wrongly denied, you have a good shot at winning if you present your case well.
That's actually reassuring to hear from someone who worked there. Any insider tips for presenting a strong case?
Thanks everyone for all this info. I'm feeling a bit more confident about filing my appeal now. Still nervous about the hearing but at least I know what to expect. Going to start gathering my documentation today.
I know this doesn't help with the timing question, but make sure you're claiming all the benefits you're entitled to. Some people miss out on things like the dependent allowance if they have kids.
Bottom line - don't count on any increases until the regular legislative session next year at the earliest. Focus on job searching and making the current benefits stretch as far as possible.
I went through the PFML application process last year and it was pretty straightforward once I understood what was needed. The hardest part was just figuring out initially that PFML was the right program, not unemployment.
Just to wrap this up for anyone reading - if you're planning maternity leave in Washington State, apply for Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), not unemployment insurance. PFML is specifically designed for family and medical leave situations and provides better benefits than UI would anyway.
MidnightRider
I had trouble with the Washington ESD phone lines too when I needed to ask about my claim timing. Finally got through using Claimyr after reading about it in another forum. The agent was able to confirm everything about when benefits would start based on my filing date.
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Andre Laurent
•I might need to try that. Been trying to reach them for days with questions about my situation.
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MidnightRider
•Definitely check out their website at claimyr.com. They have a video demo that explains exactly how it works.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
Bottom line for anyone reading this thread: file your Washington ESD unemployment claim immediately after losing your job. Don't wait for paperwork, don't wait for your final check, don't wait to see if you'll find a new job quickly. Just file online right away.
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Jamal Washington
•This should be stickied at the top of the forum. Would save people a lot of confusion and potentially lost benefits.
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QuantumLeap
•Agree completely. This thread answered all my questions about timing. Filing my claim now!
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