ESD disqualified my claim saying I quit - filed appeal today - typical wait time?

Ugh been there!! My old employer tried the same garbage last year claiming I "abandoned my job" when they cut my hours to basically nothing (constructive dismissal anyone??). I appealed and it took about 6-7 weeks to get a hearing date. The hearing itself was over the phone and actually pretty straightforward - just be super prepared with dates, names, and any evidence you have. Make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even though they show disqualified! If you win your appeal, they'll pay all those weeks retroactively. Good luck!!

same thing hapnd to me!! they said i quit to but actully they cut my hours so bad i couldnt afford gas to get there lol. took like 2 month for me to get a hearing date but then i won and got all my $$$ back from when i first applied

This is actually a pretty common situation. What you're describing is called "constructive discharge" - where an employer makes working conditions so intolerable that a reasonable person would feel compelled to resign. Changing your schedule to hours they know you cannot work (especially with documented childcare responsibilities) can qualify. The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) currently has a backlog, so appeals are taking approximately 6-8 weeks to schedule. Here's what you should do while waiting: 1. Continue filing weekly claims (as others mentioned) 2. Gather all documentation showing your previous schedule, the schedule change notice, and any communication about your childcare situation 3. Get written statements from coworkers who witnessed the situation if possible 4. Prepare a clear timeline of events At the hearing, be very factual. Explain that you never explicitly resigned and that the employer made continuing employment impossible by changing to hours they knew you couldn't work due to childcare responsibilities. This is a strong case if you can document it properly.

I went through this last year, and it's incredibly frustrating. My appeal took 8 weeks to get scheduled, but then another 3 weeks after the hearing to get the judge's decision (which thankfully was in my favor). One thing nobody mentioned yet - if you're struggling financially during this wait, you can request an expedited hearing by submitting the "Petition for Expedited Hearing" form to OAH. You'll need to prove financial hardship (like eviction notices, utility shutoff notices, etc.), but it can potentially move your hearing date up by several weeks. Also, contact your mortgage company/landlord and utility providers immediately to explain your situation and ask about hardship programs. Many have options but don't advertise them.

After dealing with ESD for months I finally got through to someone by using Claimyr.com. It connected me to an actual ESD agent in about 15 minutes when I'd been trying for WEEKS on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Not gonna lie, it felt kinda ridiculous paying to reach a government agency, but when the agent answered I nearly cried from relief. They actually explained my appeal status and gave me an estimated timeframe based on current backlog. Way better than checking my account 20 times a day hoping for updates.

The ESD appeal system is COMPLETELY BROKEN! I waited TEN WEEKS for my hearing last year, while literally selling furniture to pay rent. Then my former employer didn't even show up to the hearing, and I won by default! TEN WEEKS of stress and financial ruin for NOTHING. The absolute worst part is that employers can just LIE with ZERO consequences. They can claim whatever they want, put you through hell for months, and even when you win, they face NO PENALTIES for making false statements. It's disgusting how the system is rigged against workers.

not sure about appeals but i got disqualfied in december and just found a new job instead of dealing with esd. too much hassle tbh. goodluck

One thing I forgot to mention in my first comment - prepare for your hearing like it's a job interview. Dress professionally (even for a phone hearing, it puts you in the right mindset), speak clearly and calmly, and stick to FACTS rather than emotions. The judge who handled my case seemed really impressed that I had organized my evidence chronologically in a binder with tabs and could immediately reference specific dates and conversations. Don't interrupt the employer's testimony even when they're lying - just make notes and address each point when it's your turn. One last thing - remember that the hearing is being recorded, so avoid swearing or getting emotional, no matter how frustrating it gets!