Why do I have a phone interview for unemployment with Washington ESD?

I was laid off due to company downsizing. I thought that was pretty straightforward but maybe not?

Layoffs should be straightforward but sometimes they want to verify the details, especially if your employer reported it differently than what you put on your claim.

That's helpful, thanks. Did your claim get approved after the interview?

Yeah, took about a week after the interview for my claim to be approved. They were just double-checking some dates.

Thanks for the suggestion! I've been trying to call them all week but keep getting busy signals.

Is this service free? I'm already stressed about money with my claim being delayed.

They focus on getting you connected rather than charging high fees. Much better than spending hours trying to get through on your own.

Three interviews?? What did they keep asking about?

first one was about my job separation, second was about some part-time work i did, third was because they screwed up and needed to ask the same questions again

What happens if I miss the scheduled interview? I might have a conflict with the time they gave me.

You need to call them ASAP to reschedule. Missing the interview without notice can result in your claim being denied.

Good luck getting through to reschedule! I tried for days before I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier.

They might ask you to fax or upload documents after the interview if they need verification of something.

Ok good to know. I have my final paystub and termination letter ready just in case.

How would I know if my employer contested it? They seemed supportive when I was laid off.

You'd get a notice if they formally contested it. Sometimes it's just routine verification that triggers the interview.

That's good advice. I tend to over-explain things when I'm nervous.

yeah this is so true. keep it simple and stick to the facts

That's reassuring! How long did it take to hear back about your claim status?

They said 7-10 business days but I got my determination letter in 5 days. Claim was approved.

Good point about being available on time. I'll make sure to clear my schedule.

They usually call within 15 minutes of the scheduled time, so be ready early.

They should tell you at the start of the call if it's being recorded. You can also take notes during the interview.

Thanks, I'll definitely take detailed notes just in case.

3 weeks?? Did you try calling to check on the status?

tried calling every day for 2 weeks straight. never got through until i used that claimyr thing. they told me my case was still being reviewed

I've been applying to jobs and keeping a log. Is that what they want to see?

Yes, keep detailed records of your job search activities. They might ask about specific applications you've submitted.

Were there any questions that caught you off guard?

They asked about my commute range and if I'd be willing to take a job that paid less than my previous one. Nothing too surprising though.

Definitely planning to be completely honest. Better to have a longer process than get denied for providing false information.

This is so important. I know someone who got their claim denied because they changed their story between the application and the interview.

How long do you have to appeal if the decision is negative?

I believe it's 30 days from the date on the determination letter, but double-check that when you get it.

Yeah the waiting is definitely stressful when you need the money for bills.

exactly. at least once you do the interview you know you've done your part and it's out of your hands

Great suggestion. I'll gather all my paperwork before the call.

Also have a pen and paper ready to take notes during the interview. You might need to remember what they tell you.

Will do! Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice. Feeling much less anxious about it now.

Good luck with your interview! Hope everything goes smoothly for you.

That's a relief! I was worried about missing out on benefits while waiting for the interview.

Yeah, as long as you keep filing your weekly claims, you'll get the back pay once everything is approved.