ESD benefit denial - need help with appeal process ASAP

You don't need a lawyer, but you do need to prepare thoroughly for your appeal hearing. For 'voluntary quit' cases, you'll need to prove that you had good cause to leave your job. Document everything - emails about hour reductions, pay stubs showing the decrease, any communications with your employer. The hearing will be scheduled within 3-4 weeks typically, and you'll get instructions by mail. As for speaking with someone at ESD directly about your appeal - that's extremely difficult right now. The appeals unit is separate from regular ESD staff, and they won't discuss the details of a pending appeal over the phone anyway.

ya gotta keep filing ur weekly claims even when appealing!!! dont miss a single week or youll lose those weeks forever even if u win ur appeal later

I was in almost the exact same situation last year - employer cut my hours from 40 to 12 and claimed I 'voluntarily quit' when I couldn't survive on that. The appeal process is actually pretty straightforward but FRUSTRATING because you can't talk to anyone directly beforehand. Here's what helped me win my appeal: 1. I tracked down all my timesheets showing the hour reduction 2. I found emails where I asked my boss for more hours 3. I calculated how much my income dropped (67% in my case) and showed it wasn't livable The judge was actually pretty fair and I won. BUT it took almost 7 weeks from filing the appeal to getting my hearing date, and another 2 weeks for the decision. Then another week for the money to actually come through. Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to ESD? It's the only way I could actually talk to a real person. The website is claimyr.com and they have a video demo here: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. They can't change the appeal process, but they can at least confirm your appeal was received and answer basic questions.

NOBODY AT ESD HELPS WITH APPEALS!!!! I tried for WEEKS to get someone on the phone about MY appeal last month. Complete waste of time!!! The appeal goes straight to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) not ESD. They are different agencies!!!! ESD staff will just tell you to wait for your hearing notice from OAH. The ONLY thing that helped me was printing out the LAW about constructive discharge (WAC 192-150-XXX something) and bringing it to my hearing to prove my hours cut was basically the same as being fired. Look up the EXACT rules about hour reductions.

good luck with the appeal my friend...the system is rigged against us workers...i had to appeal twice and wait 4 months to get my money...meanwhile how we supposed to pay bills????

Make sure you're extremely specific about your hours reduction during your appeal hearing. For a voluntary quit due to hours reduction to be considered having "good cause," you typically need to show: 1. Your hours were reduced by 25% or more 2. The reduction resulted in a significant impact on your earnings 3. You made reasonable efforts to preserve your employment The administrative law judge will focus heavily on these three factors. Document exactly what your regular hours were before the reduction (pay stubs, schedules, etc.), what they were reduced to, and calculate the percentage change. Also gather evidence of any attempts you made to resolve the issue with your employer before leaving. And yes, absolutely continue filing weekly claims while your appeal is pending. If you win, you'll only be paid for weeks properly claimed.

Also important - you'll get a packet in the mail with instructions for your phone hearing. READ IT CAREFULLY! There's a deadline to submit any documents you want the judge to consider - usually 1 week before the hearing. If you miss that deadline, the judge might not look at your evidence.

they only send it by regular mail!! check ur mailbox everyday!! and make sure ESD has ur current address

One more important tip: During your hearing, be concise and stick to facts rather than emotions. I understand this is a stressful situation, but administrative law judges respond best to clear timelines and specific evidence. Prepare notes beforehand with dates, percentages, and key points you want to make. The hearings typically last 30-45 minutes, and you want to make sure you cover all your essential points. Also, if your former employer participates in the hearing, remain professional regardless of what they say. Arguing or showing anger can undermine your case.

Yes, if you believe there was a pattern of your employer trying to force you to quit, that's relevant to your case. However, focus on specific actions they took rather than just your impression of their intent. Did they make negative comments about your performance only after you requested time off? Did they suddenly change your schedule to hours they knew would conflict with your childcare or education? Those kinds of specific details are much more persuasive than general statements about feeling pushed out.