ESD denied my claim saying I quit when I was fired - submitted termination letter with appeal

This happens more often than you'd think. Many employers will tell ESD you quit to avoid their unemployment insurance rates going up. Good job filing the appeal and uploading the termination letter - that's the most important evidence you could have! The appeal process typically takes 3-4 weeks currently, though it can sometimes be quicker. In the meantime, make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the appeal decision. Missing weekly claims during this period can cause even more problems. You should also request a copy of your employer's response to your initial claim through ESD. This will show you exactly what they told ESD about your separation, which will help you prepare better for the hearing.

The EXACT same thing happened to me last month!! My company downsized and laid off 12 people, but somehow reported to ESD that I "voluntarily quit" which is complete BS! I submitted my layoff paperwork and won my appeal, but it took almost 5 weeks to get resolved. One tip: if you have any emails or text messages from your boss or HR discussing your termination, upload those too. I added everything I could find that proved I was fired and didn't quit. The more evidence, the better! Also, SAVE EVERYTHING from here on out. Every letter, every email. You'll need it all if your employer tries to fight this.

i got denied 2 but for different reason. make sure u call them and talk to somone cuz sometimes they overlook stuff or put stuff in wrong boxes. thye can fix it faster if u talk to them directly. good luck

When you have your appeal hearing, make sure you're prepared to explain the circumstances of your termination in detail. The judge will want to know: 1. The specific reason stated for your termination 2. Any prior warnings or disciplinary actions 3. Whether you violated any known policies 4. If you had any performance improvement plans The key distinction ESD makes is whether you were fired for misconduct or just performance issues. If it was performance-related (which your termination letter suggests), that generally qualifies for benefits even if the termination was justified from the employer's perspective. Also, if you haven't already, review the "Handbook for Claimants" on the ESD website. It explains the appeals process in detail, including your rights and what to expect during the hearing.

Getting through to ESD on the phone is literally impossible these days! I spent THREE WEEKS trying every single day before I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. It was seriously worth it because the agent fixed my issue right away. Check out their demo video: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 and website claimyr.com. They basically just keep dialing for you until they get through, then connect you. Saved me so much frustration!

I went through this EXACT situation in January! The system is ridiculous!! My employer told ESD I quit when they literally walked me out of the building with security! I won my appeal but it took 6 WEEKS and I almost lost my apartment waiting. One thing nobody told me: during your appeal hearing, your former employer will likely have someone there to argue their side. Mine sent their HR director who straight-up LIED about multiple things. Make sure you stay calm and stick to the facts. The judge ended up believing me because I had documentation (termination letter, exit interview notes, etc) while they just had verbal claims. The system is DESIGNED to deny people hoping they won't appeal. Don't give up!!

my friend had his denied to but idk if it was the same reason. he just kept reapplying until it went thru lol

To answer your earlier question about requesting your employer's response - log into eServices, go to your claim details, and look for "Request for Information" or sometimes "View Documents." If you don't see it there, you can also call the claims center and specifically request your employer's response to your initial claim. Also, make sure you're checking your eServices account and physical mail frequently. ESD will send hearing notices with important dates and times, and if you miss the hearing, your appeal will likely be dismissed. Sometimes these notices come with very little advance warning, so stay vigilant.

One more important thing - when you have your hearing (which will probably be by phone), make sure you're in a quiet place with good reception and have ALL your documents ready to reference. The judge asked me very specific questions about dates and events, and having everything organized helped tremendously. Also, they record the entire hearing, so speak clearly and avoid talking over others. Be respectful to the judge even if your employer says things that make your blood boil (mine sure did!). If you win your appeal, you'll get all the back payments for the weeks you were filing claims, so even though it's stressful waiting, you'll eventually get the full amount you're entitled to.