When is unemployment denied by Washington ESD - got rejected need help

Washington ESD denies claims for several main reasons: voluntary quit without good cause, fired for misconduct, not meeting work/wage requirements, or not being able and available for work. Since you mentioned store closure, this sounds like a paperwork error on their end. Did you check what reason code they used in your determination letter?

This happened to my friend too - Washington ESD initially denied her claim because her employer reported it wrong. The company told ESD she quit when she was actually fired. She had to appeal and it took forever to get through to someone to fix it.

The most common denial reasons I've seen are: 1) Voluntary quit without good cause, 2) Fired for misconduct/willful violations, 3) Insufficient work history or wages, 4) Not able/available for work, 5) Refusing suitable work offers. Your situation sounds like employer misreporting. You need to get documentation ASAP and file that appeal. Don't wait because the 30-day deadline is strict.

I was getting nowhere trying to call Washington ESD about my denied claim until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you actually get through to ESD agents on the phone. I used it and finally got to speak with someone who could look at my case properly. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Washington ESD also denies claims if you don't meet the base period wage requirements. You need to have earned at least $3,800 in your base period and meet other wage criteria. But your issue sounds like employer misreporting rather than wage problems.

ugh this is so typical of Washington ESD to mess up the basic facts. I swear they just randomly deny claims sometimes. File your appeal ASAP and don't let them push you around!

They can also deny if you're not actively looking for work or if you turn down suitable job offers. But since you just got the initial determination, that's probably not the issue yet.

Just to add - make sure when you file your appeal that you request a hearing if you want to present your case in person. Sometimes the written appeal alone isn't enough to overturn a determination, especially when it's a dispute about the facts of your separation.

I got denied once because my employer lied and said I was fired for attendance when I was actually laid off. Had to get HR documentation and it was a whole mess. Companies sometimes report wrong info to avoid paying into the UI system.

also check if you can get a letter from your manager or coworkers confirming the layoff situation. Sometimes extra witnesses help with appeals

One more thing - while you're waiting for the appeal, you should still file your weekly claims. If you win the appeal, you'll get backpay for all the weeks you were eligible but didn't receive benefits. Don't skip filing just because you're appealing.

Washington ESD denials are often about misconduct too - like if you were fired for violating company policy, attendance issues, or other work-related problems. But store closure is definitely not misconduct so your appeal should be successful.

Make sure you understand the timeline. You have 30 days from the date on the determination letter to file your appeal, not 30 days from when you received it. Don't wait!

I've heard that having a lawyer help with unemployment appeals can make a big difference, especially for complicated cases. Might be worth looking into if the appeal doesn't work out.

Sometimes Washington ESD denies claims if they think you're not genuinely looking for work or able to work. But again, that's not your issue here - this is clearly about the separation reason being wrong.

Update on using Claimyr - I actually got through to Washington ESD on my first try with their service. The agent was able to look at my case immediately and explain exactly what was wrong with my claim. Way better than the endless busy signals I was getting before.

They also deny claims if you don't have enough work history in the base period or if your wages don't meet the requirements. But 18 months of full-time work should definitely qualify you.

good luck with your appeal! document everything and don't give up. Washington ESD makes mistakes all the time but they do fix them if you push back with evidence

One last tip - when you file your appeal, be very specific about what happened and include copies of all relevant documents. The more evidence you provide upfront, the faster they can process your appeal.

Also remember that even if your appeal is successful, it might take a few weeks to process and get your first payment. Budget accordingly while you wait for the system to catch up.