ESD denied my unemployment due to medical inability to work - gout and arthritis keeping me from standing jobs

Yes you can appeal this! I had something similar happen with my back injury. ESD initially denied me because they thought I couldn't work at all, but I was able to win on appeal by showing I could still do certain types of jobs. You need to get documentation from your doctor ASAP that clearly states: 1) Your medical restrictions (no standing for long periods) 2) The types of work you CAN still do (desk jobs, seated work) File the appeal online within 30 days of your denial letter. Make sure to be super specific that you're able and available for work that accommodates your medical condition.

You might qualify for Paid Family & Medical Leave instead of regular unemployment. Have you looked into that? It's for when you have a serious health condition that prevents you from working. The benefit amount is similar to UI.

my cousin had gout real bad to and esd said he wasnt eligible either. its a bunch of BS if u ask me. they make it impossible 2 get any help when u really need it.

I work as an employment counselor and deal with this issue frequently. Here's what you need to know: 1) Under ESD rules, you must be physically able to work in your "usual occupation" to qualify for regular UI benefits. If you can't do warehouse work anymore due to a medical condition, that's why they denied you. 2) However, you have two good options: - Appeal and provide medical documentation showing you ARE able to work in a different occupation (sedentary/desk jobs) - Apply for Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) which is specifically for health conditions 3) For your appeal, get a detailed letter from your doctor that specifically states: - Your diagnosis - Work restrictions (no prolonged standing, etc.) - Types of work you ARE capable of performing - Expected duration of your condition You'll need to file your appeal within 30 days of the denial determination date.

I spent weeks trying to get through to ESD about a similar situation with my disability and work limitations. Finally I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it got me through to an actual person at ESD in less than an hour! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The ESD agent was actually really helpful once I got through and explained that I needed to submit medical certification with specific wording about what jobs I COULD do, not just what I couldn't do. Made all the difference.

Have you tried taking any meds for the gout? My husband has it BAD and he takes allopurinol daily and it's like night and day difference. He went from barely walking to being able to work construction again! Just a thought that might help your situation too.

Quick update on your options: 1) PFML pays about the same as UI (up to 90% of your average weekly wage, capped at $1,580/week in 2025) 2) For your appeal, make sure you emphasize that you're actively looking for work you CAN do with your condition. ESD needs to see that you're not just unable to do your old job, but that you're able and available for suitable work given your limitations. 3) You might also want to check with WorkSource about their Disability Employment services - they can help you find jobs compatible with your medical restrictions and document that you're actively seeking suitable work. Good luck!

Just went through a successful appeal process for a similar reason. Here's what worked for me: - Got a very detailed doctor's letter (3 pages!) explaining exactly what I could and couldn't do - Updated my work search activities to show I was applying to jobs I COULD physically perform - During the appeal hearing, focused on my job skills that transferred to seated work - Brought copies of job postings I'd applied to that matched my physical capabilities It took about 6 weeks from filing the appeal to getting a decision, but I won and got all my back benefits. Don't give up!

I represented myself. The judge was actually pretty understanding. Just make sure you're organized and stick to the facts - that you CAN work, just not in jobs requiring standing/walking. If you show you're actively looking for desk jobs, that should be enough.

To answer your earlier question - yes, when I got through to ESD using Claimyr, the agent was super helpful about exactly what documentation I needed. They sent me a form called "Medical Statement" that my doctor filled out specifying what work I could still do despite my limitations. That form was way more helpful than just a doctor's note because it asked all the right questions ESD needed answers to. Definitely worth getting through to ask for that specific form!