ESD denying benefits after winning Training Benefits appeal - now week-by-week job log rejections

Omg this sounds like a nightmare!! They're definitely targeting you because you won your appeal. ESD HATES paying out Training Benefits - I've seen so many people get denied for ridiculous reasons. The whole week-by-week denial thing is a tactic to wear you down so you'll give up. I went through something similar last year (though not as extreme) where they questioned 3 weeks of my job search and I had to appeal each one separately. It's EXHAUSTING.

This is unfortunately a pattern I've seen with ESD when someone successfully appeals a Training Benefits denial. The week-by-week job search denials are particularly troubling because: 1. Each weekly denial requires a separate appeal 2. Each appeal has separate deadlines (30 days from each denial notice) 3. OAH (Office of Administrative Hearings) will typically schedule these as separate hearings For the misconduct allegation from the short-term employer, this is extremely concerning. Under WAC 192-150-200, they need substantial evidence of misconduct, not just an accusation. Request all records immediately through a formal records request to ESD. For your multiple appeals, you can request consolidation of the job search denial hearings - this is not automatic but judges often grant it when the issue is identical across weeks. Submit this request in writing to OAH and cite the efficiency of hearing the same issue once rather than multiple times.

File a complaint with the ESD Commissioner's Office immediately about the pattern of denials following your successful appeal. This looks like retaliation, and there are internal processes to investigate that. Also, regarding your military status - make sure ESD knows you're on active duty as this gives you additional protections under USERRA and SCRA. I dealt with something similar (though less extreme) last year. I couldn't get through to anyone at ESD for weeks until I used Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to an ESD agent in under 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days. Their video demo shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Having a direct conversation with an agent made all the difference in my case.

wait u can request consolidation of appeals??? nobody told me this when i had 4 separate hearings for the exact same issue last month! each was scheduled for different days and times and i had to take time off work for ALL OF THEM. esd is such a broken system its ridiculous

This is EXACTLY why I tell everyone to document EVERYTHING with ESD. They're notorious for these kinds of tactics when they don't want to pay benefits they legally owe. Their whole system is designed to exhaust claimants until they give up. The misconduct claim from a 6-day job is especially suspicious. In my experience, ESD won't tell you what evidence they have because often they have NOTHING beyond a phone conversation with someone at the company who might not even remember you correctly. DON'T GIVE UP! That's what they want. If you can prove your job search activities were legitimate, you can eventually win. But be prepared for a long fight. The system is DESIGNED to be difficult.

i work at worksource and we see this ALL THE TIME sadly. training benefits are a nightmare to get approved and then esd often finds other reasons to deny. you should absolutely reach out to your local worksource office and ask for unemployment advocacy. we cant represent you but we can help navigate and sometimes make internal calls that regular claimants cant make. bring all your documentation!!

For those on active duty, the military has legal assistance offices that can sometimes help with civilian matters like unemployment disputes - especially when they involve potential USERRA violations. Contact your installation's JAG office and explain the situation. They might not handle the unemployment case directly, but they can advise on your rights as a service member and possibly write a letter regarding the potential USERRA violation with the 6-day employer.

In-person is definitely best for WorkSource advocacy help! Bring ALL documentation - job search logs, denial letters, appeal decisions, etc. Ask specifically for an Unemployment Insurance Liaison or someone who specializes in UI issues. Each office has at least one person who works closely with ESD regularly. They can often see notes in your file that you can't access and may be able to contact ESD managers directly.

Regarding your question about consolidation timing - you don't need to wait for all denials. File the consolidation request for the appeals you've already submitted, and then file additional requests as new denials come in. Make sure to reference the previous consolidation request in each new one. For the misconduct issue, this is a separate matter that likely won't be consolidated with the job search denials since it's a different legal issue. Be prepared to address this separately. Request a copy of your entire claim file through a formal public records request - don't rely on just what shows up in eServices.