If you can't get through, seriously consider trying Claimyr. I know I mentioned it earlier but it really does work for getting connected to an actual person at Washington ESD.

I went through this exact same situation last year. The key is being persistent and having your story straight. I was able to get 5 weeks backdated by explaining that I was overwhelmed after my layoff and didn't know unemployment was available immediately. Make sure you document everything - job search activities, any conversations with former employers, even LinkedIn searches count as job seeking activity. Also, when you do get through to someone, ask them to note in your file exactly what you discussed and get a reference number if possible. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me but I eventually got those backdated payments. Don't give up!

Just went through this exact same process a few months ago! The waiting period is definitely the worst part because you feel like you're in limbo with no information. Here's what helped me stay sane: 1. Set up a daily routine to check your mail at the same time - I made it part of my morning coffee routine so I wouldn't obsess over it all day. 2. While you're waiting, use the time to organize ALL your documentation. Create a timeline of events, gather pay stubs, save any relevant emails or texts from your employer, and write down your version of what happened while it's fresh in your memory. 3. If you haven't already, make sure your address is updated everywhere - not just ESD but also your bank, phone company, etc. You don't want the hearing notice going to an old address. The good news is that once you get that first letter from OAH, the process becomes much clearer. The OAH portal is actually pretty user-friendly compared to ESD's system. Hang in there - the waiting is the hardest part!

Going through the same thing right now! Filed my appeal 6 days ago and have been refreshing my eServices account like crazy thinking I'd see some kind of update there. Reading all these responses is such a relief - at least now I know I'm not missing something obvious online. The separate OAH system makes so much sense now that everyone's explained it. I had no idea they were completely different organizations. Already updated my address with ESD just in case and I'm going to call that OAH number tomorrow to double-check they received my appeal. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! It's crazy how confusing they make this process, but knowing what to expect helps a lot. Going to start organizing all my documentation today while I wait for that mail notice.

Just went through this exact situation last month. I quit due to workplace harassment and got approved for benefits. The key things that helped me were: 1) Keep detailed records with dates/times of every incident, 2) Email yourself summaries after each incident so you have timestamps, 3) Save any text messages or emails from your supervisor, 4) Try to get witness contact info if coworkers saw the behavior. I also wrote a formal complaint to HR specifically stating that the harassment was creating an unsafe work environment and kept a copy. When I filed my UI claim, I submitted all this documentation upfront rather than waiting for them to ask. My adjudication took about 4 weeks but I was approved. The investigator told me the detailed timeline I provided really helped my case. Don't let them make you feel like you're asking for something you don't deserve - if you have legitimate good cause, fight for it.

I just want to echo what others have said about documentation being absolutely critical. I successfully got approved for good cause quit due to unsafe working conditions last year. What really helped was creating a "safety incident log" where I documented each unsafe situation with photos when possible. I also kept copies of any safety complaints I filed with my supervisor and their responses (or lack thereof). One thing I learned is that Washington ESD really wants to see that you made a good faith effort to resolve the issue before quitting. So definitely file formal complaints through your company's processes first - even if you know they won't do anything, it shows you tried. Also, don't underestimate the power of having witnesses willing to back up your claims. Two coworkers provided written statements for me, and the adjudicator said that really strengthened my case. The whole process took about 5 weeks but it was worth it to get approved. Hang in there - if you truly have good cause, the system does work, it just takes patience and thorough documentation.

This exact same thing happened to me back in November! The disconnect between the approval letter and the weekly claims status is so confusing and stressful. In my case, it turned out my former employer had reported incorrect information about my separation too. What really helped me was gathering all my documentation - my layoff notice, any emails about the restructuring, and my final paycheck stub that showed "lack of work" as the reason. Having everything organized made the adjudication call go much smoother. The whole process took about 4 weeks total, but I did get all my back pay once it was resolved. Hang in there - it sounds like you're on the right track now that you've spoken with an agent!

I'm going through something very similar right now! Got my approval letter three weeks ago saying I'm eligible for $720/week, but every single weekly claim shows "disqualified" with zero explanation. It's so nerve-wracking when you're counting on that income and the system just gives you conflicting information. Reading through everyone's responses here has been incredibly helpful - I didn't even know to check for an "Issues and Decisions" section or look in my online inbox for letters. I'm going to log in right after this and see if there's something in adjudication that I missed. It's crazy how they can send you an approval letter but not tell you there are still unresolved issues that will block your payments. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver when ESD's communication is so unclear!

Final tip: when you set up your payment plan, make sure you can realistically afford the monthly amount. It's better to start with a lower payment you can consistently make than to set up something too high and risk defaulting on the plan.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago with a $3,100 overpayment from Washington ESD. Here's what I learned: First, definitely read through all the documentation carefully to understand WHY they say you were overpaid. In my case, it was because I had reported some freelance income incorrectly during my claim period. Second, don't panic about the amount - Washington ESD is actually pretty reasonable about payment plans. I set up a $125/month plan and they approved it without any hassle. The whole process took about 20 minutes once I finally got through to someone. The key is acting fast since you only have 30 days to respond or appeal. If you think the overpayment might be wrong, definitely explore that option first before just agreeing to pay it back.