ESD disqualified my UI after quitting due to harassment - how long until appeal hearing?

i appeald last yr it took like 6 weeks for hearing date but who knows nowdays esd is always backlogged

6 weeks? That's forever! Did they at least backpay you once you won your appeal?

When I appealed in October, I received a hearing date within 3 weeks, but others I know waited much longer. OAH seems to prioritize based on several factors. Make sure you've submitted ALL your evidence through eServices along with your appeal. For harassment cases, they'll typically want to see that you attempted to resolve the issue through proper channels before quitting. Your medical documentation will be extremely helpful.\n\nOne tip - prepare a clear timeline of events to present during your hearing. Judges appreciate organization and it makes their job easier. Good luck with your appeal!

Thanks so much! I definitely tried resolving it through proper channels first. I went to HR three times and they did absolutely nothing. I'll start organizing my timeline right away.

i disagree they DO NOT backpay most of the time!!! ESD is HORRIBLE about this. they found in my favor but still only gave me benefits from the date of the hearing even though i was owed like $5600 for the months waiting!! had to file ANOTHER appeal just for that part!!!

Uggggh I'm sorry you're going through this! My situation was similar (toxic workplace, manager from hell). My hearing was scheduled about 7 weeks after filing the appeal which felt like FOREVER when I was watching my bank account drain. The whole process is frustrating and designed to wear you down so you'll give up. DON'T GIVE UP! With your documentation you should win. Make sure you practice what you'll say beforehand because the judge interrupts a lot.

Thank you for the encouragement! Did you have a lawyer or just represented yourself? I'm debating if I need legal help since my former employer is pretty large and might bring their legal team.

I went through this exact situation in December 2024 - quit due to harassment after documenting everything properly. My hearing was scheduled exactly 5 weeks after I filed my appeal, and the actual phone hearing lasted about 45 minutes. The judge asked very specific questions about why I didn't pursue other remedies before quitting.\n\nMy advice: thoroughly review RCW 50.20.050(2)(b)(iv) which covers good cause quits for harassment cases. You must prove you exhausted all reasonable alternatives before quitting (reporting to supervisor, HR, etc). Good documentation is essential.\n\nThe judge will ask about:\n1. Specific incidents with dates\n2. Who you reported these incidents to\n3. What actions the employer took (or didn't take)\n4. Why continuation of employment would cause you harm\n\nFor medical evidence, make sure your doctor has specifically noted the connection between work conditions and your health issues. This was crucial in my case.

This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I'll definitely review that RCW section. I did report to both my direct supervisor and HR multiple times with no resolution. My doctor specifically noted in her assessment that my anxiety and insomnia were directly related to workplace stress, so hopefully that helps.

The whole ESD system is rigged against workers! They ALWAYS side with employers initially because they know most people give up after the first denial. I waited 9 weeks for my hearing and lost even with tons of evidence because the judge decided my mental health wasn't

That's really discouraging to hear. I'm sorry that happened to you. Did you consider appealing to the Commissioner's Review after losing at the OAH level?

That's not my experience at all. I won my appeal and know several others who have too. It really depends on your documentation and how you present your case. The judges follow the law - if you meet the legal requirements for good cause quit, they'll rule in your favor.

Have you been able to get any status updates from ESD or OAH on your appeal? I was in a similar situation and calling ESD directly was impossible - always busy signals or disconnections after hours on hold. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual ESD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3\n\nOnce I got through, the agent was able to tell me my exact status and gave me an estimated timeframe for my hearing. Might be worth trying if you're getting nowhere with the regular channels.

I haven't been able to get through to anyone! I'll check out that service - at this point I'm desperate for any information. Thanks for the suggestion.

Just an update on timing - I spoke with someone at OAH last week about a different case, and they mentioned they're currently scheduling hearings approximately 4-6 weeks out for most cases. Some complex cases or those requiring interpreters might take longer. Medical documentation can sometimes expedite the process if there's financial hardship involved.

That's really helpful to know, thank you! I definitely have the medical documentation, so maybe that will help speed things up.

make sure u answer the phone when they call for the hearing!!! my friend missed his call and they ruled against him automatically. they only try once!!

Oh wow, that's good to know! I'll keep my phone on me at all times once I get a hearing date.

If you're worried about finances while waiting, remember to continue filing your weekly claims even though they'll show as

Thank you - I've been filing my weekly claims religiously even with the disqualification status. I'll check out the hardship resources in my county. Appreciate the suggestion!