How to fix disqualified Washington ESD unemployment claim - need help with appeal

You definitely need to appeal this ASAP! You have 30 days from the date on your determination letter to file an appeal with Washington ESD. The key is proving you had 'good cause' to leave your job. Unsafe working conditions can absolutely qualify as good cause if you can document it properly.

What kind of documentation do you have about the unsafe conditions? That's going to be crucial for your appeal. Photos, incident reports, emails to supervisors about safety concerns, witness statements from coworkers - anything that shows you tried to address the issues before leaving.

I went through something similar last year and it was a nightmare trying to get through to Washington ESD to discuss my case. Spent hours on hold only to get disconnected. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) which actually got me connected to an agent who could explain exactly what evidence I needed for my appeal. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

the whole system is rigged against workers anyway. they always side with employers first no matter what evidence you have. good luck but dont get your hopes up too much

For unsafe working conditions, you'll need to show that: 1) The conditions were genuinely unsafe, 2) You made reasonable efforts to get them fixed, 3) The employer failed to address the issues, and 4) A reasonable person would have quit under those circumstances. Document everything chronologically.

How long does the appeal process usually take? I'm worried about how I'll pay bills while waiting for a decision.

Update: I found the appeal form in my account and started filling it out. There's a section asking for a detailed explanation of why I disagree with the decision. Should I write a novel or keep it concise?

i got disqualified too but for attendance issues. different situation but the appeal process is the same. make sure you submit everything by the deadline or you're screwed

Don't forget to keep filing your weekly claims even while your appeal is pending! A lot of people make this mistake and then have issues getting their backpay if they win.

Another option if you need to talk through your appeal strategy is using that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. They helped me understand exactly what Washington ESD adjudicators look for in successful appeals. Really worth the investment when you're dealing with something this important.

Make sure you're looking at the right deadlines too. The 30-day appeal deadline is from the date on the determination letter, not the date you received it. And if the 30th day falls on a weekend or holiday, you get until the next business day.

this happened to my brother in law and he had to go to an actual hearing with a judge. had to present his case and everything. hopefully yours gets resolved before that step but just fyi thats a possibility

Just want to say good luck with your appeal! The system can be frustrating but don't give up. I've seen plenty of disqualifications get overturned when people present their case properly.

One thing that helped me was organizing all my evidence chronologically in a timeline format. Made it easier for the adjudicator to follow the sequence of events that led to me leaving my job.

Washington ESD adjudicators deal with these cases all day long so they've seen every excuse in the book. The key is having actual documentation rather than just your word against your employer's word.

how long after you submit the appeal do you hear back? im in a similar boat and getting anxious about the waiting

If you win your appeal, make sure to double-check that they process your backpay correctly. I won mine but had to call and remind them about several weeks they initially missed.

The fact that you have photos and texts to your supervisor puts you ahead of a lot of people who try to appeal with no documentation at all. You've got a real shot at overturning this.

Final update from me - I submitted my appeal this morning with all my documentation organized chronologically like someone suggested. Photos, text messages, incident dates, everything. Now the waiting game begins. Thanks everyone for the advice and support!