ESD hearing with OAH judge tomorrow - what to expect at unemployment lawyer meeting?

I went through this last year! First, for your lawyer meeting, bring EVERYTHING related to your case - all ESD correspondence, any emails between you and your employer about the schedule change, resignation letter, text messages, etc. The lawyer needs to see it all to build your case. Your lawyer will probably do a mock hearing to prep you. For the actual OAH hearing, it's formal but not like a courtroom drama. The judge will swear you in, then typically your former employer goes first presenting their side, then you (or your lawyer) present yours. You'll definitely need to testify about the schedule change and why it made continuing employment impossible with your childcare situation. This is considered good cause if you can show: 1) You made reasonable efforts to resolve the conflict before quitting 2) The schedule change was substantial and 3) You had no reasonable alternatives. Having documentation of any attempts to find alternative solutions before resigning will be crucial.

BRING EVERYTHING!!!! i mean EVERYTHING!! they denied me becuz i didnt have proof i tried to fix the problem b4 quitting... even tho i DID try!!! but it was all verbal convos. no proof = no benefits in their eyes 😡

Make sure you can clearly articulate: - Exactly how your schedule changed (days/hours before vs. after) - Why this created an impossible childcare situation - Every attempt you made to resolve it before resigning - Why you had no reasonable alternatives The judge will focus on whether you exhausted all reasonable options before quitting. If the schedule change was truly impossible with your childcare situation, and you tried to resolve it first, that's typically considered good cause under WAC 192-150-120. Also, the hearing is likely by phone unless you specifically requested in-person. Have all your documents organized and numbered so you can reference specific pages when making your case. Your lawyer will help with that.

Has anyone tried using Claimyr to get through to ESD before their hearing? I was having ZERO luck getting through the phone lines to discuss my case details before my hearing last month, kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Found this service at claimyr.com that got me connected to an actual ESD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 It helped me understand exactly why I was denied before my hearing so I could prepare better. Might be worth trying if you need to clarify anything with ESD before your hearing date.

good luck!! i had a hearing last month and was sooooo nervous i could barely sleep the night before. but honestly it wasn't as scary as i thought. just stick to facts and don't get emotional even if your employer says stuff that's not true. my hearing was only like 45 minutes.

omg im in the EXACT same boat!! my hearing is next week also childcare issues!! please come back and update us on what the lawyer says tomorrow!!

When I had my unemployment hearing last year, my lawyer did a full practice run with me the day before. We went through all the likely questions and practiced my answers. This was INCREDIBLY helpful. The actual hearing felt much easier because I was prepared for most questions. For the hearing itself, remember these key points: 1. Answer ONLY what is asked - don't volunteer extra information 2. If you don't know an answer, say "I don't recall" rather than guessing 3. Stick to facts and avoid emotional statements 4. Have specific dates and details ready (schedule changes, conversations about childcare needs, etc.) 5. Be ready to explain why childcare alternatives weren't reasonable (cost, availability, etc.) I won my appeal because I could demonstrate that I had no reasonable alternatives. Good luck!

For your lawyer meeting tomorrow, prepare a chronological timeline of events with specific dates. This will be invaluable for both your lawyer and eventually the judge. Include: - Your original work schedule - Date of notification about schedule change - Details of the new schedule requirements - Dates and descriptions of all attempts to resolve the issue - Your childcare arrangements and why the new schedule made them impossible - The final conversation/email that led to your resignation - The date you resigned and your last day worked The more organized you are, the more effectively your lawyer can prepare your case. For the actual hearing, your lawyer will likely handle most of the talking, but you'll need to testify about specific facts only you know.

my hearing was a total disaster cuz i froze up when the judge started asking me questions!!! practice practice practice ur answers!!!

One more important tip - during your OAH hearing, the judge will ask if you've reviewed the ESD file/evidence. Make sure you and your lawyer request and review the complete ESD file before your hearing! This contains all the evidence ESD used to deny your claim, including any statements from your employer. You have a legal right to see this file before your hearing. If you haven't received it yet, your lawyer should request it immediately. Reviewing it prevents any surprises during the hearing and allows you to prepare responses to any misleading information. If you win your appeal, you'll likely receive all back benefits in one lump sum, so hang in there!