Can you backdate unemployment claims with Washington ESD?

Yes, Washington ESD does allow backdating in certain situations. You can request to backdate your claim up to one year from when you first file, but you'll need to show good cause for the delay. Common reasons they accept include lack of knowledge about eligibility, illness, or misinformation from employers about when to apply.

I tried to get my claim backdated last year and it was a nightmare. Took forever to get through to anyone at Washington ESD to even discuss it. Spent hours on hold just to be told to submit more paperwork.

If you're having trouble reaching someone at Washington ESDm I discovered this service called Claimyr that actually gets you connected to an agent without all the waiting on hold. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Might be worth checking out if you need to discuss your backdating situation directly with Washington ESD.

The key thing with backdating is proving you had good cause for not filing earlier. Being confused about eligibility because of severance pay is actually a pretty common reason they accept. Make sure you document exactly what you were told or what led you to believe you should wait.

ugh the whole system is so confusing. why dont they just tell you this stuff upfront instead of making people figure it out later?

To actually request backdating, you'll need to call Washington ESD directly or submit a written request. They don't usually offer it automatically - you have to specifically ask for it and explain your situation.

I got mine backdated 3 weeks successfully. The trick is being very specific about dates and having a clear timeline of events. Don't just say you were confused - explain exactly what happened and when.

One thing to keep in mind is that even if they approve your backdating request, you'll still need to complete the job search requirements for those weeks if they were after the waiting week.

Just as an update on that Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier - I used them again last week for a different issue and got through to Washington ESD in like 15 minutes. Definitely beats the 2+ hour waits I was dealing with before.

Make sure you keep detailed records of everything - when you were laid off, what severance you received, when you first learned about unemployment eligibility, etc. The more documentation you have, the stronger your case will be.

has anyone been denied for backdating? wondering what happens if they say no

Your situation with the severance misinformation sounds like it should qualify. I've seen similar cases get approved. The important thing is being honest and thorough in your explanation.

Question - if they approve the backdating, do you get all the back pay at once or is it spread out over time?

Don't forget that you'll need to file weekly claims for all those backdated weeks too. It's not just automatic - you have to go through the process for each week.

Be prepared for the process to take a while. Between getting through to someone, submitting your request, and waiting for approval, it could be 6-8 weeks total.

One more tip - when you call or write your request, be very clear that you're requesting to backdate your claim effective date. Use those exact words. Sometimes the terminology matters with Washington ESD.

For what it's worth, I think your chances are pretty good based on what you've described. Employer misinformation about severance eligibility is textbook good cause.

Final thought on reaching Washington ESD - if you do end up needing to call them multiple times about this, that Claimyr service I mentioned has been a lifesaver. Really cuts down on the frustration of trying to get through.

Hope this works out for you! Keep us posted on how it goes.

I went through a similar situation last year where I delayed filing because I was receiving severance and thought I had to wait. Washington ESD approved my backdating request without much hassle once I explained that my employer's HR department had given me incorrect information about when I could file. The key is being very detailed in your explanation - write down exactly what you were told, by whom, and when. Also gather any emails or documentation from your employer about the severance package that might have contributed to the confusion. In my case, I was able to get about 5 weeks backdated, and the whole process took about a month from request to receiving the back payments. Good luck!