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I just remembered something else - when you get your hearing notice from OAH, it will have instructions for submitting evidence. Make sure you submit EVERYTHING at least 1 week before the hearing. I made the mistake of trying to introduce new evidence during my hearing and the judge wouldn't accept it because I didn't submit it ahead of time.
Yes, text messages are absolutely evidence you should submit! Take screenshots and organize them by date. Also, I forgot to mention - the OAH hearing will be by phone (not in person), so make sure you're in a quiet place with good reception when the time comes. Have all your documents spread out in front of you for easy reference.
my cousin had the same problem back in february and she ended up having to go to the WorkSource office in person with her ID and social security card. They couldn't fix it there but they gave her a direct number to call and got it sorted in a few days. might be worth checking if your local office is taking walk-ins.
Just checking back - were you able to make any progress with your claim? One thing I forgot to mention is that when my wife was dealing with this, we discovered that the third-party verification sometimes fails if your license was issued in a different state before you got your WA license. In that case, you might need to provide additional documentation like a birth certificate or passport.
I finally got through this morning! You were right about calling at 8am sharp. The agent confirmed my license is stuck in verification because I recently moved and there's an address mismatch. They're escalating it to an adjudicator who should call me within 2-3 business days. Fingers crossed this gets resolved soon. Thanks everyone for the advice!
On this job search thing - I had a baby last year and took maternity leave and then got laid off right after coming back. I had already arranged to be a stay at home mom after my savings got built back up in a few months. I was so confused why I had to do job searches when I DIDNT EVEN WANT A JOB AT THAT POINT?? The whole system makes no sense sometimes.
That's actually a different situation. To qualify for unemployment, you must be able and available for work and actively seeking work. If you're planning to be a stay-at-home parent and not return to the workforce, you wouldn't technically be eligible for unemployment benefits since you're not actively seeking to return to work. The system is designed for those temporarily between jobs who are trying to rejoin the workforce.
Update: I called ESD using that Claimyr service (which actually worked!), and the agent explained that my case is in adjudication because my former employer contested the reason for separation. I said it was a layoff, they're claiming I quit! I've sent in my termination letter through the document upload system and the agent said it should be resolved within 7-10 business days. I also applied for standby status with my offer letter. Thanks everyone for the help!
Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel much better now knowing I don't need to report my tax refund to ESD. This system can be so confusing sometimes and the website doesn't explain everything clearly. Appreciate all the responses!
This is totally off topic but since we're talking taxes - did anyone else's unemployment tax form (1099-G) show up super late this year? Mine just arrived yesterday and taxes are due in like 2 weeks! Stressing me out!!!
ESD should have had all 1099-Gs sent by January 31st as required by law. If you just received yours, that's unusually late. You can always file for an extension if needed, but you'll still need to pay any estimated taxes owed by the regular deadline. If you're worried, you can also access your 1099-G electronically through your ESD account under the "1099-G tax forms" section.
Sofia Rodriguez
The whole system is RIDICULOUS. My cousin was Navy for 12 years and when he got out they made him jump through a million hoops just to get his unemployment. Had to prove he was looking for work CONSTANTLY even though the economy was terrible. And then they STILL messed up his payments multiple times!!! The way this state treats veterans is shameful!!!!! OP, if I were you I'd get a lawyer who specializes in veteran benefits to help with this. The ESD system is designed to DENY benefits not help people who need them!!!
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Mei Chen
•Sorry your cousin had such a rough experience. I'm hoping mine goes smoother, but it's good to be prepared for complications. I'm going to try working with the veteran specialists at WorkSource first before considering legal help, but will keep that option in mind if things get too complex.
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Liam O'Sullivan
After reading all the advice here, I think your best course of action is: 1. Apply for UCX benefits through ESD right away, even though you're past the 12-month window 2. Use Claimyr to actually reach a human at ESD who can review your specific situation 3. Visit WorkSource and ask specifically for their veteran employment representative 4. Bring your DD-214 and any other military service documentation to both ESD and WorkSource 5. Be prepared to explain why you didn't apply sooner (legitimate lack of awareness) Even if you don't qualify for retroactive benefits, you might still be eligible going forward. And the veteran specialists at WorkSource can help connect you with other resources regardless of what happens with your UCX claim.
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Mei Chen
•Thank you so much for outlining these steps! This gives me a clear plan to follow. I'm going to start with the application today and then try to reach someone at ESD using Claimyr. Will definitely update on how it goes in case it helps other veterans in similar situations.
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