Need help writing appeal letter for Washington ESD unemployment benefits denial
My unemployment claim got denied last week and I need to write an appeal letter to Washington ESD but I have no idea where to start. The denial letter says I have 30 days to appeal but doesn't give much guidance on what to include. Has anyone successfully appealed a Washington ESD decision? What should I put in the letter and where do I send it? I'm really stressed about this because I know I should qualify for benefits.
62 comments


Gabriel Ruiz
Yes, I've helped several people with Washington ESD appeals. The key is to be specific about why you disagree with their decision. Include your claim number, the date of the determination, and explain exactly why you believe the decision is wrong. Keep it factual and include any supporting documents you have.
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Adaline Wong
•Thank you! Do I need to use any specific format or can I just write a regular letter?
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Gabriel Ruiz
•A regular business letter format works fine. Just make sure to include all your identifying information at the top - name, SSN, claim number, and the determination date you're appealing.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
The appeal process with Washington ESD can be confusing. Make sure you send your letter to the right address - it should be listed on your denial notice. Also keep a copy for your records and send it certified mail so you have proof they received it.
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Adaline Wong
•Good point about certified mail. I definitely want proof they got it since there's a deadline.
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Peyton Clarke
•I agree about certified mail. Washington ESD processes a lot of appeals and you don't want yours to get lost in the shuffle.
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Vince Eh
I was in the same boat last year trying to reach Washington ESD about my appeal status. Calling them was impossible - always busy signals or getting disconnected. I ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual person at Washington ESD. They have this video demo (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ) that shows exactly how it works. Made such a difference being able to talk to someone directly about my appeal.
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Adaline Wong
•I've never heard of that service. Does it actually work for getting through to Washington ESD?
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Vince Eh
•It worked for me. I was spending hours trying to call Washington ESD with no luck. With Claimyr I was able to speak to someone about my appeal and get clarity on what documents they needed.
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Sophia Gabriel
•Interesting, I might have to check that out. I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about my own appeal.
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Tobias Lancaster
What was the reason they gave for denying your claim? That makes a big difference in how you structure your appeal letter. Some denials are easier to overturn than others.
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Adaline Wong
•They said I quit my job voluntarily, but I was actually laid off due to lack of work. I have my termination paperwork that shows it was a layoff.
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Tobias Lancaster
•That's definitely appealable! Include copies of your termination paperwork with your appeal letter. Washington ESD probably just didn't have the right information when they made their initial decision.
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Ezra Beard
ugh the washington esd appeal process is such a pain. took me 6 weeks to get my hearing scheduled after i sent my letter. make sure you're prepared to wait
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Adaline Wong
•6 weeks?! That's so long. Did you end up winning your appeal?
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Ezra Beard
•yeah i won but it was stressful waiting. the hearing itself was pretty straightforward though
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Gabriel Ruiz
Since you mentioned you have termination paperwork showing it was a layoff, that's perfect evidence for your appeal. In your letter, reference those documents specifically and explain that Washington ESD's determination was based on incomplete information. Something like 'I am appealing this decision because I did not quit voluntarily as stated in the determination. I was laid off due to lack of work as evidenced by the attached termination notice.
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Adaline Wong
•That's really helpful wording. Should I explain the whole situation or keep it brief?
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Gabriel Ruiz
•Keep it focused and factual. You'll have a chance to explain everything in detail if it goes to a hearing. The appeal letter is just to establish the grounds for your disagreement.
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Statiia Aarssizan
Don't forget to continue filing your weekly claims while your appeal is pending! A lot of people make the mistake of stopping their weekly filings thinking they can't claim benefits during an appeal. You need to keep filing to preserve your right to back pay if you win.
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Adaline Wong
•Really? I thought since I was denied I shouldn't file weekly claims anymore.
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Statiia Aarssizan
•Nope, you definitely need to keep filing. If you win your appeal, Washington ESD will pay you for all those weeks retroactively. But only if you filed the weekly claims.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
•This is correct. It's called 'continued claim filing' and it's required to maintain your place in line for benefits.
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Peyton Clarke
The Washington ESD appeal form isn't too complicated but make sure you're clear about what determination you're appealing. Include the date of the letter and reference any specific findings you disagree with. I've seen appeals get delayed because people weren't specific enough about what they were challenging.
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Adaline Wong
•Is there an actual form I need to fill out or can I just write a letter?
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Peyton Clarke
•You can write a letter. There might be a form available on the Washington ESD website but a letter works just fine as long as it includes all the required information.
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Sophia Gabriel
I'm dealing with a similar situation right now. Washington ESD denied my claim saying I didn't meet the job search requirements but I have all my job search logs. It's so frustrating when they make decisions without looking at all the evidence.
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Adaline Wong
•That's exactly what happened to me - they didn't seem to have all the information. Hopefully the appeal will fix it.
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Gabriel Ruiz
•Job search requirement appeals are pretty common. Make sure you include copies of your job search log and any other documentation showing you were actively looking for work.
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Reginald Blackwell
One thing I learned the hard way - make sure your appeal letter is signed and dated. Washington ESD rejected my first appeal because I forgot to sign it. Had to start the whole process over again.
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Adaline Wong
•Oh wow, I definitely would have forgotten to sign it. Thanks for the reminder!
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Misterclamation Skyblue
•That's a good point. The little details matter when dealing with government agencies like Washington ESD.
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Vince Eh
If you need to check on the status of your appeal once you send it, definitely consider using Claimyr. I was able to get updates on my case that I never would have gotten just trying to call Washington ESD directly. The phone system there is honestly broken.
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Aria Khan
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already struggling financially.
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Vince Eh
•It's worth checking out their site for current info. For me it was worth it just to avoid the frustration of calling Washington ESD over and over with no success.
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Tobias Lancaster
Make sure you understand what happens after you send your appeal. Washington ESD will schedule a hearing if they don't reverse their decision based on your letter alone. The hearing is usually by phone and you'll get a chance to explain your side to an administrative law judge.
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Adaline Wong
•How long do they take to respond to the appeal letter before scheduling a hearing?
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Tobias Lancaster
•It varies but usually 2-4 weeks for them to review your letter. If they don't change their decision, they'll send you a hearing notice with the date and time.
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Everett Tutum
the whole system is broken tbh. took me 3 months to get my benefits sorted out even after winning my appeal. washington esd is just overwhelmed i think
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Adaline Wong
•That's so discouraging. I just want to get this resolved quickly.
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Gabriel Ruiz
•While the system can be slow, having good documentation and a well-written appeal letter definitely helps speed things along.
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Sunny Wang
I went through this exact process last summer. My advice is to be very specific in your letter about which parts of Washington ESD's decision you disagree with. Don't just say 'I disagree' - explain point by point why their determination was wrong based on the facts of your case.
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Adaline Wong
•That makes sense. I'll go through their denial letter carefully and address each point they made.
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Sunny Wang
•Exactly. Treat it like you're building a case. Facts, evidence, and clear reasoning work better than emotional arguments.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
Don't forget to keep copies of everything you send to Washington ESD. Your appeal letter, any supporting documents, proof of mailing - everything. You'll want a complete file in case you need to reference it later or if something gets lost in their system.
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Adaline Wong
•Good advice. I'll make copies before I send anything.
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Peyton Clarke
•I keep a folder with all my Washington ESD correspondence. It's saved me several times when they claimed they never received something.
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Hugh Intensity
Just wanted to add that if you do end up needing to go to a hearing, don't be intimidated. I was so nervous but the administrative law judge was actually very fair and just wanted to understand what really happened. Having my documentation organized made all the difference.
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Adaline Wong
•Thanks for sharing that. I am worried about potentially having to do a hearing.
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Hugh Intensity
•It's really not as scary as it sounds. Just stick to the facts and have your paperwork ready. Most people who appeal with good cause end up winning.
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Effie Alexander
One more tip - if Washington ESD requests additional information during the appeal process, respond as quickly as possible. Delays on your end can slow down the whole process, and you want to get this resolved and start receiving benefits as soon as possible.
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Adaline Wong
•Absolutely. I'll make sure to respond to anything they need right away.
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Gabriel Ruiz
•That's excellent advice. Being responsive and providing complete information upfront can sometimes resolve appeals without even needing a hearing.
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Melissa Lin
I used Claimyr when I was going through my appeal process and it was a game changer. Being able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD about what they needed from me saved weeks of back and forth through the mail. Sometimes you just need to have a real conversation to clear things up.
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Adaline Wong
•It sounds like several people have had success with that service. I might look into it if I can't get through to Washington ESD on my own.
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Melissa Lin
•The video demo on their site really shows how it works. For me it was worth it just to avoid the stress of trying to call Washington ESD repeatedly.
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Lydia Santiago
Good luck with your appeal! It sounds like you have a strong case since you have the documentation showing you were laid off. Washington ESD makes mistakes sometimes but they're usually willing to correct them when presented with the right evidence.
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Adaline Wong
•Thank you! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident about writing my appeal letter now.
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Gabriel Ruiz
•You're welcome! Remember to send it certified mail and keep filing your weekly claims. With good documentation like yours, appeals usually work out well.
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Romeo Quest
Just to recap the key points for anyone else reading this: 1) Include your claim number and determination date, 2) Be specific about why you disagree, 3) Include supporting documents, 4) Send certified mail, 5) Keep filing weekly claims, 6) Sign and date your letter. Following these steps should give you the best chance of success with Washington ESD.
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Adaline Wong
•Perfect summary! I'm going to save this for reference when I write my letter this weekend.
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Tobias Lancaster
•That's a great checklist. Those are definitely the most important things to remember for a Washington ESD appeal.
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