How long until ESD schedules appeal hearing after filing? Stuck waiting for weeks
I filed an appeal with ESD three weeks ago after getting disqualified for 'quitting without good cause' (which is totally wrong - I was basically forced to resign). The confirmation email just said they'd 'process my appeal' but gave no timeline. My eServices account still shows nothing about a hearing date. Has anyone gone through the appeals process recently? How long did it take before you heard anything? I'm getting really anxious because my savings are almost gone and I need to know if I should just give up and find any job or if there's a chance I'll get benefits soon. Do they even notify you by email or do I need to keep checking my eServices account?
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Selena Bautista
In my experience, the ESD appeal process is painfully slow. I filed an appeal in January 2025 after being disqualified for supposedly not completing enough job search activities (I did, they just didn't register them correctly). It took almost 5 weeks before I got the hearing notice letter in the mail, and then the actual hearing was scheduled for 3 weeks after that. So about 8 weeks total from appeal to hearing. They do NOT notify by email - it comes through regular mail, so watch your mailbox. The notice will have instructions for submitting evidence before the hearing.
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Tasia Synder
•5 WEEKS just to get the notice?? That's ridiculous! Did you try calling them to speed things up? I'm seriously getting desperate here.
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Mohamed Anderson
mine took about 4 wks back in nov. was disqualifed for same reason, employer lied but i had texts proving i gave notice. good luck!
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Tasia Synder
•Thanks for the data point. Did your hearing get scheduled quickly after the 4 weeks or was there another long wait?
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Ellie Perry
The entire ESD system is DESIGNED to make you give up!!! I waited 7 weeks for my appeal hearing notice and another 6 weeks for the actual hearing. Then they took 10 days to make a decision which they mailed instead of emailing even though we're in 2025 and everyone has email! This is how they save money - they make the process so long and painful that people just give up. The bureaucracy wins again! Don't let them wear you down!
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Landon Morgan
•I understand your frustration with the system, but in my experience working with ESD appeals (I'm not an employee, just helped several people), they send official notices by mail for legal reasons - email isn't considered legally binding notification in many cases. The timeframes do vary widely depending on their current backlog. They're actually much faster now than during 2020-2022.
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Teresa Boyd
If you need to reach ESD to check on your appeal status, try using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They helped me get through to an actual agent when I was stuck in appeal limbo for weeks. I was about to give up but their service connected me to an ESD rep in about 15 minutes who gave me my hearing date over the phone. Saved me weeks of anxiety! They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3
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Tasia Synder
•I've been trying to call ESD every day with no luck. Does this service actually work? I'm willing to try anything at this point if it means getting through to someone who can tell me what's happening with my appeal.
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Teresa Boyd
•It worked for me when I was in a similar situation. I spent days trying to get through the regular ESD phone system with no luck. With Claimyr I got connected to an agent who looked up my appeal status and confirmed they had received it and gave me an estimated timeframe. Definitely less stressful than waiting blindly.
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Lourdes Fox
Here's the actual process timeline according to OAH (Office of Administrative Hearings) who handles ESD appeals: 1. After you file an appeal with ESD, they process it and transfer it to OAH 2. OAH then schedules a hearing (current backlog is 4-6 weeks) 3. You receive a Notice of Hearing by mail with the date/time and how to participate 4. The hearing is typically scheduled 2-3 weeks after the notice So total time from appeal to hearing is currently averaging 6-9 weeks. Make sure ESD has your correct mailing address. If you believe your appeal has been lost, you can contact OAH directly at 1-800-583-8271 to check status, but they won't have any record until ESD transfers it to them. Important: Keep filing your weekly claims during this entire process! If you win your appeal, you'll only get paid for weeks you submitted claims.
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Tasia Synder
•Thank you so much for this detailed breakdown! I definitely had no idea I should keep filing weekly claims - I stopped after getting disqualified. Does that mean I've lost those 3 weeks of potential benefits even if I win my appeal?
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Lourdes Fox
•Unfortunately, yes. You can only receive benefits for weeks you filed claims, even if you win your appeal. Start filing again immediately for future weeks. For the missed weeks, you might be able to request backdating for good cause (not knowing you needed to continue filing), but it's at ESD's discretion whether they'll allow it.
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Bruno Simmons
my sister had a appeal last month and it took like 5 weeks to get the letter. but then her hearing was only a week after she got the letter so it depends i guess
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Tasia Synder
•Did your sister win her appeal? I'm trying to figure out how to prepare for my hearing when it eventually gets scheduled.
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Landon Morgan
Appeals typically take 4-6 weeks for processing before OAH schedules a hearing. Here are some tips while you wait: 1. Continue filing weekly claims (very important) 2. Gather evidence for your case (emails, texts showing you had good cause) 3. Create a timeline of events leading to your separation 4. Check your mail daily as notices only come via USPS 5. If you move, update your address with both ESD and OAH I recommend looking at the OAH website as they have guides for unemployment hearings. If you truly were forced to resign, make sure you have documentation showing the conditions that made continued employment impossible or unreasonable.
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Tasia Synder
•Thank you for the advice! I'll start gathering my evidence. My boss essentially told me I needed to resign or they'd find a reason to fire me, but it was in person so I don't have it in writing. Will it just be my word against theirs at the hearing?
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Landon Morgan
•Without direct evidence of the conversation, it will be more challenging, but not impossible. Look for circumstantial evidence: any performance reviews showing good work, sudden changes in treatment, witnesses who saw/heard anything relevant, any texts/emails that hint at the situation even if they don't state it explicitly. Document any relevant workplace issues that led to this situation. Also, during the hearing, be very specific about exactly what was said, when and where the conversation occurred, and any other details. Specific testimony is often more credible than generalities.
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Mohamed Anderson
does anyone know if u can check appeal status online? i cant find it anywhere on eservices
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Lourdes Fox
•Unfortunately, ESD doesn't have an online status tracker for appeals. Once your appeal is transferred to OAH, you can call them directly at 1-800-583-8271 to check status, but there's no online option. This is one of the many frustrating gaps in their online system.
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