OAH hearing timeline - how long until decision and payment if I win my ESD appeal?

I went through an OAH hearing last year. From getting my docket number to having the actual hearing took about 3-4 weeks. Then it was another 10 days before I got the judge's decision in the mail (I won!). After that, ESD took about 2 weeks to process the back payments once the decision was in their system. So roughly 6-7 weeks total from docket number to money in my account. Make sure you're totally prepared for your hearing - have all your documents organized, write down your key points, and practice what you'll say. Good luck!

mine took foreverrrr. like 8 weeks just to get the hearing. then another month for decision. ugh. the system is so broken its not even funny.

The timeframes can vary quite a bit depending on OAH's current workload. The official target is to schedule hearings within 30 days of receiving an appeal, but I've seen it take anywhere from 2-8 weeks lately. Decision timing also varies - legally they have 30 days to issue a decision after the hearing, but most judges get them out within 1-2 weeks. If you win, ESD typically processes payments within 7-14 business days after receiving the decision from OAH. Important: keep filing your weekly claims during this entire process! If you don't file for any weeks, you won't get paid for them even if you win your appeal.

I had a hard time getting through to anyone at OAH when I was waiting for my hearing date. Kept getting sent to voicemail that was full! So frustrating. Eventually I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to help me get through to a live person at ESD who was actually able to look up my OAH status and give me updates. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Definitely worth it when you're dealing with such an important issue and can't get answers.

my friend had a hearing last month and said it took like 3 weeks to get scheduled. but she also said that she got a letter telling her exactly when it would be like 10 days before. so you'll def get notice. dont worry about that part at least.

One more thing - make sure to review the ESD Appeals page for tips on preparing for your hearing: https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/benefit-denials-and-appeals. And when you get your hearing notice, it should include instructions for submitting evidence ahead of time. Don't wait until the actual hearing to share documents or they might not be considered! You typically need to submit everything at least 3 business days before the hearing.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing no one tells you: If you win your appeal, YOU STILL NEED TO CONTACT ESD to make sure they implement the judge's decision!!! I won my hearing but then waited and waited for payment. After 3 weeks I called and they said "oh we need to process the judge's decision" - like it wasn't automatic!!! Why wouldn't they tell people this?? I could have had my money 3 weeks earlier if I'd known to call them right away after getting the decision.

I'm going through a similar situation right now - just got disqualified and waiting to file my appeal. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and terrifying! It sounds like the whole process could take 2-3 months minimum even if everything goes smoothly. Has anyone had luck getting any kind of emergency assistance while waiting for their appeal? I'm already struggling to make rent and utilities, and the thought of waiting that long without any income is really stressing me out. Also, when you say "keep filing weekly claims" - do those show up as $0 payments during the disqualification period?

I'm currently waiting for my OAH hearing too - got my docket number about 2 weeks ago. Based on what I'm reading here, it sounds like the timeline can really vary depending on their workload. One thing that's been helping me is keeping a detailed log of all my interactions with ESD, including dates, reference numbers, and who I spoke with. I've also been taking screenshots of my weekly claim filings showing the disqualification status just in case I need proof later that I kept filing. Has anyone had experience with requesting an expedited hearing due to financial hardship? I'm wondering if that's even possible or if everyone just has to wait in the regular queue. The uncertainty is almost worse than the actual wait sometimes!

I'm in a similar boat - got my docket number about 10 days ago and the waiting is brutal! One thing I learned from calling OAH is that they send hearing notices by both mail AND email if you provided an email address on your appeal. Make sure to check your spam folder regularly too. I also found out you can call OAH's main number (206-389-3400) and press option 2 to check on your hearing status - sometimes they can tell you if it's been scheduled even before you get the official notice. The automated system there gives you basic info about timelines too. Hang in there - from everything I'm reading it sounds like most people do eventually get through the process, it's just painfully slow!

I've been through this whole process twice unfortunately (long story), and I want to echo what others have said about keeping meticulous records. One thing that really helped me the second time was creating a simple spreadsheet with dates, actions taken, confirmation numbers, and outcomes. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you have copies of EVERYTHING - your original application, all correspondence from ESD, any employer documents, etc. The judges really appreciate when you can reference specific dates and documents during the hearing. For what it's worth, my first hearing took 5 weeks to schedule, my second took only 3 weeks, so their workload definitely varies. And yes, absolutely call ESD immediately after you get a favorable decision - don't assume they'll automatically process it. I learned that lesson the hard way the first time! The whole system is frustrating but stay persistent and organized. You've got this!