ESD claim eligibility after working without pay during background check renewal period?

This is definitely an L&I wage complaint issue, not unemployment. You worked those hours and they're legally required to pay you regardless of their internal background check procedures. Document everything - save all communications where they admitted you won't be paid for work performed. WA state takes wage theft very seriously. File your complaint here: https://www.lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/workplace-complaints/worker-rights-complaints

this happened 2 my brother last yr when he worked for a different homecare company!!! they made him wait 4 weeks for his fingerprint check 2 come back but still scheduled him with clients. when he finally got back in the system they only paid him for like half the hours!! he went 2 L&I and they got him all his money plus some extra penalty $$$. definitely do NOT file 4 unemployment, u were employed just not paid

You should try contacting ESD directly to ask about your specific situation. Sometimes there are partial unemployment benefits available for significant reduction in hours/pay, but this is a complicated case. I had trouble getting through to ESD for weeks when I had a similar question about reduced hours last month. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an ESD agent in under 30 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. It was worth it to get a definitive answer directly from ESD rather than guessing.

I'm an employment attorney and can confirm this is a clear wage theft case, not unemployment. Washington state law is very protective of workers in these situations. RCW 49.48.010 requires employers to pay all wages due to an employee. The fact they allowed you to continue working means they must pay you. File with L&I immediately and keep these key points in mind: 1. You have 3 years to file a wage complaint, but do it ASAP 2. They're potentially liable for double damages plus attorney's fees 3. Document EVERYTHING - save texts, emails, timesheets, etc. 4. If your union isn't helping, consider filing the L&I complaint independently L&I claims typically take 60-90 days to investigate and resolve, but they're very thorough.

OMG this makes me so mad!!!! 😡 These home health agencies are THE WORST! I worked for 3 different ones and they ALL tried to pull shady stuff with pay. They prey on immigrants and people who don't know their rights. File with L&I and also report them to DSHS since they oversee home care agencies. And document EVERYTHING!

wait im confused... did u actually keep working after the system wouldn't let u submit timesheets? or did u stop working when u saw that? cuz that affects what kind of claim u should file

Based on your additional details, this is an even clearer wage theft case. The fact that they continued scheduling you through their app is strong evidence that they authorized and expected the work to be performed. Make sure to include screenshots of your schedule in the app when filing with L&I. Regarding emergency assistance while you wait: apply for expedited food benefits through DSHS (can be approved in 7 days), contact 211 for emergency rent assistance programs in your area, and check with St. Vincent de Paul and other local charities that sometimes provide emergency funds. Your situation would qualify as an emergency hardship with many assistance programs.