Appeal an ESD disqualification decision or wait to requalify with new job?

Appeals with ESD can take 6-8 weeks minimum to process right now, sometimes longer. Since you only have 3 weeks until your new job starts, it probably isn't worth the hassle unless you think you might need to reopen your claim in the near future. The disqualification was likely correct if you truly only had 475 hours - you need at least 680 hours in your base year to qualify for regular UI benefits in Washington. If you start your new job and work at least 680 hours, you would requalify for a new claim if needed down the road. Just make sure to keep track of your hours at the new position.

just wiat til u get the new job. appeals r a huge headache n if u don't have the hours u don't have the hours. nothing to appeal really

I went through EXACTLY this last year!!! Worked for 6 months, got laid off, didn't have enough hours, then found a new job quickly. I DID appeal because I wanted the few weeks of benefits and REGRETTED IT SO MUCH. Appeal took over 12 weeks!! By then I was already at my new job for 2 months. TOTAL WASTE OF TIME!! Don't bother with the appeal. Just focus on your new job and consider yourself lucky you found something so fast. Most of us aren't that fortunate!!

There are a few important details to consider here: 1. The 680 hours requirement is fixed by state law - ESD doesn't have flexibility to waive this requirement regardless of your circumstances. 2. If you appeal, you have a right to do so, but the decision would likely be upheld if you truly only have 475 hours in your base year. 3. Your base year is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim. Did you have any other employment during that period that might not have been captured? 4. Appeals must be filed within 30 days of the determination letter date. 5. If you start your new job and work there for at least 680 hours, you would qualify for a new claim if needed in the future. Given that you have a job starting in 3 weeks, focusing on that opportunity rather than appealing is likely your best path forward.

I spent 3 months trying to appeal a similar situation and it was a NIGHTMARE. Couldn't get through to anyone at ESD and kept getting automated responses. When I finally got through to someone using Claimyr (claimyr.com), they connected me with an ESD agent who basically told me what everyone here is saying - if you don't have the hours, you don't qualify. Period. The agent was super helpful though and explained exactly how many hours I'd need at my next job to qualify. Check out their video to see how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 But honestly, with a job starting in 3 weeks, I wouldn't bother with the appeal. Just make sure you work enough hours at the new place in case you need benefits later.

Appeals aren't always a waste of time though! The ESD makes mistakes ALL THE TIME. I've seen people win appeals when hours weren't properly reported by employers or when ESD made calculation errors about the base year. The system is incredibly broken. That said, if you know for a fact you only worked 475 hours in your base year, then yeah, probably not worth appealing. But if there's ANY chance some hours weren't counted or there was an error, might be worth filing the appeal just to preserve your rights. You can always withdraw it later if your new job starts and you decide it's not worth pursuing.

I was in a similar situation last year and ended up appealing even though I had a job lined up. My appeal was actually denied because I didn't have the minimum hours, but the process helped me understand my claim better. One thing nobody mentioned is that you might qualify for an alternative base year if your regular base year doesn't have enough hours. Did ESD mention anything about that? It uses more recent quarters. Might be worth asking about. Btw my hearing was actually kinda stressful even though it was just over the phone. The judge was asking all these questions about my work history and I felt like I was on trial or something lol.

Based on everything discussed, here's what I'd recommend: 1. Verify your work hours from your paystubs to confirm the 475 hours is accurate 2. Check if you qualify for an alternative base year (though it sounds unlikely based on your work history) 3. Consider if the potential benefit amount for just 3 weeks is worth the time and stress of an appeal process that could take 8+ weeks 4. Focus on your new job opportunity and ensuring you accumulate enough hours there for future eligibility if needed Also, you should know that the appeal deadline is 30 days from the date on your determination letter, so you do have some time to make this decision. You could even file the appeal to preserve your rights, then withdraw it later if you decide it's not worth pursuing after starting your new job.