ESD denied my claim after 10-week wait - how long does appeal process take?

I went through an appeal last year. The whole process took about 6-8 weeks from when I filed the appeal to when I had my hearing. Then another 2 weeks to get the judge's decision. So roughly 2 months total. And YES, you absolutely must continue filing your weekly claims even while appealing! This is critical because if you win your appeal, they'll only pay you for weeks that you properly filed claims for. For your hearing, gather all documentation showing your good performance, any emails about your position elimination, etc. The more evidence the better. The hearing is pretty formal - you'll talk to a judge over the phone and your former employer will likely participate too. If you truly were laid off due to position elimination and can prove it, your chances of winning are good. The burden is on the employer to prove misconduct.

my sister got denied to and it took like 3 months for her appeal. keep filing evry week or else youll regret it later! the whole things rigged tbh

THE SAME EXACT THING happened to me!!! I waited 12 weeks for a decision and then got denied because my employer LIED about why they let me go. It's total BS how they can just make stuff up and ESD believes them! My appeal hearing is scheduled for next week. It took about 7 weeks from when I submitted my appeal to get a hearing date. I'll let you know how it goes but I'm not hopeful. The system is COMPLETELY biased toward employers.

For appeals timing in 2025, OAH (Office of Administrative Hearings) is currently running about 5-7 weeks from appeal filing to hearing date, then typically 7-14 days for the judge to issue a written decision. This can vary depending on their caseload and your region in Washington. As others mentioned, continue filing weekly claims during this process. Document everything meticulously. Position elimination should qualify you for benefits. The key is proving that's what actually happened versus what your employer is claiming. Bring performance reviews, any documentation about the elimination, and possibly statements from coworkers if available. You don't need an attorney, but having one can help, especially if your case is complex or if your employer will have legal representation at the hearing.

I'm currently in the same boat waiting for my appeal hearing. Been waiting 4 weeks so far with no hearing date yet. It's infuriating that we have to wait so long while bills keep piling up. Have you tried calling ESD to see if they can expedite based on financial hardship? I've been calling daily but can never get through - always get disconnected after waiting for hours. The whole system seems designed to make people give up.

i think ur confusing administrative appeal (ESD reconsideration) with an OAH appeal?? administrative appeal is faster like 2-3 weeks but OAH hearings take way longer. which one did u file??

my cousin works for ESD (not sharing her name for obvious reasons) and she says theyre SUPER backlogged with appeals right now. like 8-10 weeks minimum for most cases. sorry to be the bearer of bad news but thought u should know the reality :( definitely keep filing those weekly claims tho!!!

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet: make sure you thoroughly prepare for your hearing. OAH hearings are legally binding proceedings, and the judge will expect you to present your case clearly. 1. Write down a timeline of events related to your separation 2. Gather ALL documentation (performance reviews, emails about position elimination, etc.) 3. If you have witnesses who can testify about your job performance or the elimination, you need to arrange for them to be available during the hearing 4. Prepare a clear, concise opening statement explaining why you believe you qualify for benefits If your financial situation is dire while waiting, look into: - Hardship programs with your utility companies - Rent assistance through DSHS or local nonprofits - Food banks and SNAP benefits - The Washington Law Foundation offers free legal advice for unemployment appeals Currently about 60% of claimants who appeal initial denials win their appeals, so the odds are actually somewhat in your favor if you have documentation.

Just wanted to update... had my hearing yesterday and it was INTENSE. Lasted almost 2 hours! My ex-employer had their HR director AND a lawyer on the call. I was totally outgunned. Judge said to expect a decision in 1-2 weeks. Keep documenting EVERYTHING and be ready for them to twist things. My boss actually claimed I had "performance issues" even though I never had a single write-up or bad review. They're just trying to avoid their UI tax going up.

btw has anyone noticed how the ESD website is always "down for maintenance" right when you need to file your weekly claim on sunday night?? happened to me again last weekend smdh

I'm going through a similar situation right now - filed my appeal 3 weeks ago after being denied for "voluntary quit" when I was actually laid off due to budget cuts. The stress is unreal! One thing I learned from calling around is that you can request an expedited hearing if you can prove extreme financial hardship, but it's rarely granted. I tried but they said being behind on bills isn't enough - you basically need to be facing immediate eviction or utility shutoffs. Also, make sure when you do your weekly claims that you answer "YES" to the question about appealing a determination. I almost answered wrong the first week because I wasn't sure if my appeal was officially filed yet. The waiting is the worst part. I keep checking my eServices account obsessively hoping for a hearing date. Hang in there - from what I've read, if you have good documentation showing it was a layoff and not misconduct, you should win. The system sucks but don't give up!