ESD denied my claim - said I quit when I just moved states! Appeal advice needed

This is a classic ESD misinterpretation issue. The timing of your relocation versus the layoff is critical here. In your appeal, you need to provide THREE key pieces of evidence: 1) Documentation showing your official layoff date, 2) Proof of when you actually relocated (moving expenses, rental agreements, etc.), and 3) A statement from your former employer confirming the layoff reason. The most important thing is proving the chronological order - that you were laid off FIRST and relocated AFTER. Also, call your former employer and make sure they understand they need to clarify this with ESD if contacted again.

OMG same thing literaly happened to me last year!!!! ESD makes these stupid mistakes all the time. They tried saying I quit when I actually got laid off and moved back to my parents. It took like 5 weeks to fix but I won my appeal. just make sure u have the dates super clear cuz thats what they look at the closest.

I had a similar issue where ESD misinterpreted my situation. The key is documenting the timeline meticulously. For your appeal, include: 1. Your official termination notice with the date 2. Any documentation showing when you moved (lease, utility setup, etc.) 3. Any emails or communications with your employer about the layoff 4. A written statement explaining the exact sequence of events Also, don't forget to keep filing your weekly claims during the appeal process! Many people stop filing while appealing and that creates even more problems. You'll get back pay for those weeks if you win your appeal. For faster contact with ESD to check on your appeal status, I used Claimyr (claimyr.com). They connected me to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes when I couldn't get through for days. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. It helped me confirm my appeal was actually in the system.

be careful with the appeal!! u have to be SUPER specific or they'll deny u again. my brother went thru 3 appeals cuz he kept missing little details they wanted. ESD is out to save money not help people 🙄

I think you're mixing up two different issues here. When you move out of state, you're actually supposed to file an interstate claim, not a regular WA claim. Did you do that? Moving out of state absolutely CAN disqualify you if you didn't follow the right procedure. It's not just about whether you were laid off or quit. The real question is whether you moved for work-related reasons or personal reasons, and whether you were available for work in your new location immediately after moving. If you moved for purely personal reasons and weren't immediately available for work, ESD might be correct in their determination. Check RCW 50.20.050(2)(b)(iii) about good cause for quitting related to relocation. You might actually need to focus your appeal on demonstrating good cause for the move rather than the layoff timing.

TYPICAL ESD BUREAUCRACY!!! They're ALWAYS looking for reasons to deny claims. I've seen this EXACT scenario at least a dozen times in the past year. They make these ridiculous assumptions without even bothering to investigate properly. And good luck getting anyone on the phone to explain their decision - I spent TWO MONTHS trying to talk to someone at ESD about my claim last year!!! The appeal system is broken too. They're so backlogged I've known people waiting 8-10 WEEKS for a hearing. It's a disgrace how they treat people who are already struggling!

Just to clarify regarding the interstate claim question - since you were laid off in Washington but then moved to Oregon, you were correct to file with Washington since that's where your wage credits are. However, you should also register with Oregon's WorkSource equivalent for job search activities. For your appeal, I would focus on these points: 1. You were laid off in Washington (provide termination documentation) 2. The move occurred AFTER the layoff (provide timeline evidence) 3. You have been actively seeking work in your new location (provide job search logs) Also, Oregon and Washington have an interstate agreement that should cover this situation. Make sure to mention this in your appeal letter.

When is your appeal hearing scheduled? Make sure you have all your documents ready at least 3 days before! And yes keep filing those weekly claims or you'll lose those weeks even if you win the appeal.

Based on the additional details you've shared, I think your strongest appeal argument would be: 1. You were laid off first (provide documentation) 2. You moved for a qualifying family reason (partner's job) 3. You've been actively looking for work in your new location Also, contact the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) directly if you don't hear about your hearing date within 3 weeks. Sometimes appeals get lost in the system. Their number is different from the regular ESD line. Be prepared for specific questions about your job search efforts in your new location. The judge will want to know you've been actively seeking work since moving.