How to write appeal letter for unemployment denial - Washington ESD format help needed
My unemployment claim got denied last week and I need to write an appeal letter to Washington ESD. The denial notice says I have 30 days but doesn't give much detail on what to include in the letter. Has anyone successfully written an appeal letter before? What format should I use and what specific information do I need to include? I'm really stressed about getting this right since it's my only chance to reverse the decision.
63 comments


Wesley Hallow
You definitely need to include specific details about why you disagree with their decision. Start with your claim number, the date of the denial, and clearly state that you're appealing. Then explain your side of the story with any evidence you have.
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Kennedy Morrison
•Thanks! Do I need to include copies of documents with the letter or just reference them?
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Wesley Hallow
•Include copies of any relevant documents - pay stubs, termination letters, medical records if applicable. Don't send originals.
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Justin Chang
I went through this same thing 6 months ago. Make sure you send your appeal letter by certified mail so you have proof Washington ESD received it before the deadline. Also keep a copy for your records.
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Kennedy Morrison
•Good point about certified mail. How long did it take to get a response after you sent yours?
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Justin Chang
•Took about 3 weeks to get the hearing notice, then another month before the actual hearing date.
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Grace Thomas
The key is being very specific about the facts and staying professional. Don't get emotional or ramble. State the facts clearly and reference the specific Washington ESD rules or laws that support your position if you know them.
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Kennedy Morrison
•That's helpful. I was worried about sounding too formal but you're right about staying professional.
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Hunter Brighton
•Where can I find the specific Washington ESD rules to reference? I don't want to mess this up.
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Dylan Baskin
I had to deal with this nightmare last year and spent hours on hold trying to get through to someone at Washington ESD for help. Eventually found claimyr.com which actually got me connected to a real person who helped me understand exactly what to write in my appeal. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.
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Kennedy Morrison
•Really? How much did that cost? I'm already tight on money.
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Dylan Baskin
•Way cheaper than losing my benefits. The person I talked to actually helped me identify the key points to include in my letter.
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Lauren Wood
•I'm skeptical of paying for something like this but if it actually works...
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Ellie Lopez
Make sure your letter includes your full name, SSN, claim number, and the date. Address it to the Washington ESD Appeals Unit. Be clear about what decision you're appealing and when it was made.
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Kennedy Morrison
•Should I include my phone number in case they need to contact me?
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Ellie Lopez
•Yes, definitely include your current phone number and address. They'll need to reach you to schedule the hearing.
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Chad Winthrope
ugh this whole process is so confusing. i got denied too and have no idea what im doing wrong. why cant they just tell us exactly what to write??
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Wesley Hallow
•I know it's frustrating but you can do this. The most important thing is to respond within the 30-day deadline.
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Chad Winthrope
•yeah im gonna try but this is stressing me out so much
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Grace Thomas
Here's a basic structure: 1) Header with your info and claim details, 2) Statement that you're appealing, 3) Explanation of why you disagree with the decision, 4) Supporting evidence, 5) Request for what you want (benefits approved), 6) Your signature and date.
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Kennedy Morrison
•This is exactly what I needed! Should I type it or is handwritten okay?
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Grace Thomas
•Typed is better - easier to read and looks more professional. Make sure to proofread before sending.
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Paige Cantoni
•Can you use regular letter format or does Washington ESD have a specific form?
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Kylo Ren
I work in HR and see these situations a lot. If you were fired, make sure to explain your side of what happened and include any documentation that supports your version of events. If you quit, you need to show it was for good cause connected to the work.
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Kennedy Morrison
•I was laid off but they're saying I was fired for cause which isn't true. I have emails that prove it was a layoff.
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Kylo Ren
•Those emails are crucial evidence. Make sure to include copies and reference them specifically in your letter.
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Nina Fitzgerald
Don't forget to mention if you've been actively looking for work during this time. Washington ESD wants to see that you're meeting the job search requirements even while appealing.
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Kennedy Morrison
•I've been applying to jobs but wasn't sure if I should mention that in the appeal letter.
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Nina Fitzgerald
•Yes, definitely mention it. Shows you're taking the process seriously and meeting your obligations.
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Jason Brewer
Whatever you do, don't wait until the last minute to send it. I almost missed my deadline and had to overnight it to the Appeals Unit. So much stress that could have been avoided.
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Kennedy Morrison
•Good reminder. I'm going to work on it this weekend so I can mail it early next week.
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Kiara Fisherman
•Smart plan. Better to send it early than risk missing the deadline.
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Liam Cortez
I used Claimyr when I was dealing with my appeal process and it was worth every penny. The representative actually walked me through what Washington ESD was looking for and helped me strengthen my arguments. My appeal was successful.
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Kennedy Morrison
•That's encouraging to hear. I'm considering trying it since I really can't afford to lose this appeal.
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Lauren Wood
•Okay I'm starting to think this Claimyr thing might be legit if multiple people had success with it.
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Savannah Vin
Make sure to keep the letter focused on facts, not emotions. I know it's frustrating but Washington ESD wants to see objective information that supports your case.
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Kennedy Morrison
•That's hard because I'm really angry about the whole situation but you're right.
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Savannah Vin
•Channel that anger into gathering solid evidence. That's what will actually help your case.
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Mason Stone
The appeal letter is just the first step. If you lose the appeal, you can still request a hearing before an administrative law judge. Don't give up if the first appeal doesn't go your way.
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Kennedy Morrison
•I didn't know there was another level after the appeal. That's somewhat reassuring.
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Mason Stone
•Yes, you have multiple opportunities to present your case. The hearing is actually where most cases get resolved.
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Makayla Shoemaker
been there done that. took me 3 tries to get mine approved. the system is ridiculous but you gotta keep fighting
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Kennedy Morrison
•Three tries? That sounds exhausting. How long did the whole process take?
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Makayla Shoemaker
•like 4 months total but i finally got my benefits backdated to when i first filed
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Christian Bierman
I recommend getting help from someone who knows the system if you can. I tried to write my own appeal letter and it was denied. Had to get professional help for the hearing and that's when I finally won.
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Kennedy Morrison
•What kind of professional help? Like a lawyer or someone else?
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Christian Bierman
•I used a service that specialized in unemployment appeals. They knew exactly what Washington ESD was looking for.
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Emma Olsen
The most important thing is to be honest and thorough. Don't leave out important details but also don't include irrelevant information that might confuse the issue.
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Kennedy Morrison
•That's a good balance to strike. I tend to over-explain things so I'll need to be careful about that.
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Emma Olsen
•Yeah, stick to the facts that directly relate to why you should qualify for benefits. Everything else is just noise.
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Lucas Lindsey
Just want to add that I also had success with claimyr.com when I needed to speak to someone at Washington ESD about my appeal. They connected me quickly and the agent was actually helpful in explaining what I needed to include in my letter.
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Kennedy Morrison
•Okay, I think I'm convinced to try Claimyr. Multiple people having success makes me feel better about it.
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Lucas Lindsey
•Yeah, it's not free but it's way less stressful than spending hours on hold and potentially missing important deadlines.
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Sophie Duck
Don't forget to include the date you received the denial notice in your appeal letter. Washington ESD needs to know when the 30-day clock started ticking.
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Kennedy Morrison
•Good catch! I have the notice here so I can get the exact date.
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Sophie Duck
•Make sure it's the date you received it, not the date it was mailed. Those can be different.
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Austin Leonard
Good luck with your appeal! I went through this last year and it was stressful but worth fighting for. Make sure you follow up if you don't hear back within a reasonable time.
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Kennedy Morrison
•Thank you for all the encouragement! I'm feeling much more confident about writing this letter now.
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Austin Leonard
•You've got this! The fact that you're being proactive and asking for help shows you're taking it seriously.
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Anita George
One final tip - make a copy of everything before you send it and keep detailed records of when and how you sent the appeal. You'll need this information if there are any questions later.
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Kennedy Morrison
•Will do! I'm going to create a whole file with copies of everything related to this appeal.
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Anita George
•Smart approach. Organization really helps when dealing with Washington ESD bureaucracy.
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Mei Wong
I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago and successfully got my denial overturned. Here's what worked for me: Start your letter with a clear header including your full name, SSN, claim number, and contact info. Then state exactly what you're appealing - reference the specific denial decision and date. The key is to organize your argument into clear sections: 1) Why you disagree with their decision, 2) Facts that support your eligibility, 3) Any documentation you're including as evidence. Keep it professional and factual - no emotional language. I also recommend typing it rather than handwriting, and definitely send it certified mail with return receipt. The whole process took about 6 weeks from appeal to hearing, but I got my benefits approved retroactively. Don't give up - many initial denials get overturned on appeal if you present your case clearly!
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