Disqualified for UI after leaving college - can I reverse the decision?

wait did u actually tell ESD u left school to get unemployment? that might be part of the problem. they usually dont consider leaving school as a valid reason to qualify for benefits. u need to have lost a job through no fault of ur own.

There are a couple of issues here that might be causing the disqualification: 1. Leaving school voluntarily doesn't typically qualify you for unemployment benefits. You generally need to have lost employment through no fault of your own (layoff, hours reduction, etc.). 2. If you were primarily a student and only working part-time, ESD might consider your main occupation as "student" not "worker" - which affects eligibility. 3. There's also a timing issue - ESD often looks at your situation during your base year (typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters). The appeal is the right step, but you'll need to clearly demonstrate that you meet all eligibility requirements, especially that you lost your job through no fault of your own and that you're able and available for full-time work.

I went through something similar last year!!! ESD is such a NIGHTMARE to deal with. My situation was different (I was disqualified because they thought I was still in training program) but the appeal process took FOREVER - like 6 weeks before I even got a hearing date. And then another 2 weeks for a decision. The worst part is you should keep filing weekly claims even while appealing but you won't get paid until if/when you win the appeal. Did you get a formal determination letter explaining exactly why you were disqualified? You need to read that VERY carefully because that's what you're appealing.

Based on your situation, it sounds like you're dealing with a partial unemployment claim issue rather than a complete unemployment claim. If you're still employed but with reduced hours, you may qualify for partial unemployment benefits. However, there are a few important distinctions: 1. You need to have had a substantial reduction in hours/wages 2. You need to be able and available for full-time work 3. The reason for your reduction in hours must be through no fault of your own In your case, ESD may be confused about your status because the information in their system still shows you as a student with limited availability. The appeal should help clarify this, but you'll need to provide documentation showing: - The date you officially withdrew from school - Your work history showing you were employed while in school - Evidence that you requested additional hours but were denied Keep filing your weekly claims while your appeal is pending. If approved, you'll receive back payments for eligible weeks.

just wondering - have u actually been able to talk to anyone at ESD about this? sometimes getting on the phone with them can sort things out faster than the appeal process

I've been through the ESD appeal process before and let me tell you - trying to reach someone at ESD directly can save you weeks of waiting. I discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual ESD agent without the ridiculous wait times. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. In my case, the agent was able to see exactly what the issue was and guided me on what specific documentation to include with my appeal. This significantly helped my case compared to guessing what they needed. With issues like yours where there seems to be a simple misunderstanding about your student status, getting an ESD agent on the phone could potentially resolve it without even needing the formal appeal process.

Important clarification based on your comments: If you still have a job but with reduced hours, you're dealing with what's called "partial unemployment." This is different from regular unemployment in several ways: 1. You report your work hours and earnings each week 2. If you earn below a certain threshold, you can receive partial benefits 3. You must still be looking for additional work to supplement your hours ESD might be confused because your claim started while you were a student, but your status changed mid-claim. In your appeal, make sure to clearly indicate: - The exact date you withdrew from school - The reduction in hours at your current job - Your availability for full-time work now that you're no longer in school Be aware that if you voluntarily reduced your availability for work while in school (like only being able to work evenings/weekends), that could affect your eligibility for the period before you withdrew.

YES get documentation from your school showing exactly when you withdrew!!! Trust me, ESD will want to see official proof, not just your word for it. And definitely explain your full availability now compared to before. Be super specific in your appeal - dates, times, everything. The more detail the better!

One final piece of advice: In your appeal, focus on these key points: 1. You're seeking partial unemployment due to a reduction in available work hours 2. You're no longer a student (provide documentation) 3. You're fully available for work with no restrictions 4. You're actively seeking additional employment to replace the lost hours 5. The reduction in hours was not your fault (employer couldn't provide more hours) Continue filing your weekly claims during this process, and be completely truthful about any hours worked and earnings received. If your appeal is successful, you'll receive back payments for any eligible weeks where you qualified for partial benefits. Depending on when your disqualification began, you may need to request backdating of your claim to ensure you don't lose potential benefits.