What happens if employer denies unemployment - Washington ESD process help

When an employer contests your unemployment claim, Washington ESD has to investigate both sides before making a decision. They'll usually send you a fact-finding questionnaire asking for your version of events. Make sure you respond within the deadline and provide as much detail as possible about why you were terminated. The adjudicator will review your response, your employer's response, and any supporting documentation before making a determination.

same thing happened to me earlier this year, my employer said i was fired for attendance but i had medical documentation for all my absences. took about 6 weeks for washington esd to make a decision but they approved my claim

The key thing to understand is that even if your employer contests the claim, you're not automatically denied. Washington ESD makes the final decision based on state law, not what your employer wants. They look at whether you were fired for misconduct connected to your work, and misconduct has a specific legal definition. Performance issues usually don't qualify as misconduct unless they show willful disregard of your job duties.

I struggled with reaching Washington ESD during my adjudication process - kept getting busy signals and dropped calls when trying to check on my claim status. Finally discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made such a difference being able to talk to someone who could explain exactly where my claim stood in the process.

UGH this is exactly what happened to me! My employer contested my claim saying I was fired for 'insubordination' when really I just questioned a policy change. The whole system is set up to favor employers and make it as hard as possible for workers to get benefits they've earned!!!

Here's what typically happens in the adjudication process: 1) Washington ESD receives the employer's protest, 2) They send fact-finding forms to both parties, 3) An adjudicator reviews all information and makes a determination, 4) You receive a written decision explaining the outcome. If you're denied, you have the right to appeal within 30 days. The appeal goes to an Administrative Law Judge who conducts a hearing.

just went through this myself last month. employer said i quit but i was actually laid off due to budget cuts. washington esd sided with me after i provided email evidence of the layoff notice. definitely keep any documentation you have

The burden of proof is actually on the employer to show that you committed misconduct serious enough to disqualify you from benefits. They can't just claim poor performance - they have to demonstrate willful or wanton disregard of your job duties. Safety complaints you made would actually support your case that you were acting responsibly.

This whole process is so stressful!! I'm going through something similar where my employer is claiming I was fired for violating company policy but the policy was never clearly communicated. How long does adjudication usually take? I'm behind on rent already.

Been there done that - my old manager tried to block my unemployment by claiming I was always late to work when I had a medical condition that affected my schedule. Had to get documentation from my doctor to prove the tardiness was related to my disability. Washington ESD approved my claim once they saw the medical records.

One important thing to remember is that you should continue filing your weekly claims throughout the adjudication process, even if you're not receiving payments yet. If you're eventually approved, you'll get back pay for all those weeks. But if you stop filing weekly claims, you could lose eligibility for those weeks even if you win.

honestly the whole system is a joke. employers can just make up whatever reason they want and you have to prove them wrong. meanwhile you're struggling to pay bills while they investigate for months

If you need to check on your claim status during adjudication, I'd definitely recommend trying Claimyr again. When I was going through my contested claim situation, I used their service multiple times to get updates from Washington ESD agents. Much better than the endless phone loops and busy signals.

My advice is to treat the fact-finding questionnaire like you're writing a legal document. Be detailed, stick to facts, and include dates wherever possible. Don't get emotional or badmouth your employer - just present the facts clearly. I won my contested claim by being very thorough in my response.

remember that even if you get denied initially, you can always appeal! the appeals process gives you a chance to present your case to an administrative law judge who wasn't involved in the original decision

Going through this exact situation right now! My employer is claiming I was fired for poor performance but I have emails showing they were actually eliminating my position due to budget cuts. It's so frustrating that they're trying to block my unemployment when they know the real reason I was let go.

One more tip - if your employer provided specific reasons for your termination in their protest, make sure to address each point directly in your fact-finding response. Don't leave anything unanswered because the adjudicator will notice if you don't respond to their specific allegations.

Just want to add that retaliation for reporting safety violations is actually illegal under state law. If that's what happened in your case, you might want to mention that in your response and consider filing a complaint with L&I as well.

Final thought - don't stress too much about the process. I know it's easier said than done when you're waiting for benefits, but most people who were legitimately laid off or fired without misconduct do eventually get approved. The system isn't perfect but it generally works. And if you need help reaching Washington ESD during the process, services like Claimyr can be a real lifesaver for getting through to actual people who can help.

I went through a similar contested claim situation last year when my employer claimed I was fired for "violating company policy" but really they were just downsizing and didn't want to pay unemployment. The adjudication process was nerve-wracking but I kept detailed records of everything - all my emails, performance reviews, witness statements from coworkers who saw what really happened. Washington ESD ultimately approved my claim after about 5 weeks of investigation. The key is being thorough and honest in your fact-finding response. Don't let them intimidate you - if you were truly terminated unfairly, the evidence will speak for itself. Stay strong and document everything!