How to write an appeal letter to Washington ESD unemployment - need help with format

Yes, I've helped several people with appeal letters over the years. The key is to be specific about why you disagree with their decision. Include your claim number, the date of the determination, and explain your side of the story with any supporting documentation. Keep it professional but don't be afraid to include relevant details about your situation.

What was the reason for your disqualification? That might help determine what to focus on in your appeal letter.

I went through this same situation last year and it was incredibly frustrating trying to get through to someone at Washington ESD to even ask questions about the appeal process. The phone lines are always busy and when you do get through, you're on hold forever. I actually found this service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual Washington ESD representative without all the waiting. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Here's what I included in my successful appeal letter: 1) My full name and claim number at the top 2) The date and reference number from the determination notice 3) A clear statement that I'm appealing the decision 4) My explanation of why the decision was wrong 5) Any supporting documents 6) My signature and date. Keep it to one page if possible.

ugh the whole appeal process is such a nightmare. I'm dealing with an overpayment issue right now and trying to figure out if I should appeal or just try to set up a payment plan. The system is so confusing!

Make sure you keep copies of everything you send to Washington ESD! I learned that the hard way when they claimed they never received my appeal even though I sent it within the deadline.

Since you mentioned you have the layoff notice, that's excellent evidence for your appeal. In your letter, I'd suggest structuring it like this: 'I am appealing the determination dated [date] regarding my unemployment claim #[number]. Washington ESD determined that I voluntarily quit my employment, however, I was involuntarily laid off due to company downsizing. Attached is documentation from my employer confirming the layoff.' Then explain any other relevant details.

Does anyone know how long it typically takes to hear back after submitting an appeal to Washington ESD?

I'm confused about something - if I appeal, do I still need to keep filing my weekly claims even though I'm not getting paid?

The whole thing is so stressful. I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks to get clarification on my determination before filing an appeal but I can never get through. Sometimes I get disconnected after waiting on hold for an hour!

Just want to add that you don't need a lawyer for most unemployment appeals, but if your case is complicated or involves a lot of money, it might be worth consulting with one. Some employment attorneys will do free consultations.

Remember that the appeal hearing will likely be over the phone, so practice explaining your situation clearly and concisely. Have all your documents organized beforehand.

One thing that helped me was writing out a timeline of events before writing my appeal letter. It helped me organize my thoughts and make sure I didn't leave out any important details.

Make sure to check the determination notice for the specific appeal address or fax number. Don't just send it to the general Washington ESD address or it might get delayed.

Has anyone had luck with appealing determinations about job search requirements? I got disqualified for allegedly not doing enough job searches but I have records of all my applications.

The waiting is the worst part honestly. Even after you submit your appeal, it takes forever to get a hearing date and then you're stressed about that too.

If you have any text messages or emails from your employer about the layoff, include those too. The more evidence you have, the better.

Quick question - do I need to explain why I think Washington ESD made the mistake or just focus on proving what actually happened?

I've been putting off writing my appeal letter for weeks because I'm so overwhelmed by the whole process. Reading through these responses is actually making me feel more confident about tackling it.

One last tip - if you're not sure about something in your appeal, it's better to include it than leave it out. You can always clarify details during the hearing if needed.