I think everyones forgetting to mention that you can work part-time while on unemployment! If you find a temp gig or part-time work while job searching, you can still get partial benefits as long as you earn less than your weekly benefit amount. You just report your earnings each week when you file your weekly claim. Helped me stretch my benefits longer last year when I picked up some gig work.

Thank you all for the helpful information! I've checked out the calculator on the ESD website and it looks like I'll get around $780/week, which is lower than my current income but will definitely help. I appreciate all the tips about job search requirements and the part-time work option - that could really help stretch things if my job search takes longer than expected. I'll make sure to apply right after my last day and keep detailed records of all my job search activities from day one. This community has been incredibly helpful!

i hate that stupid phone system!! it never works right!! i always use the website now

If you're getting an ID verification error when trying to use eServices, try clearing your browser cache and cookies first. If that doesn't work, your account might be flagged for identity verification. For weekly claims, I've found that using the eServices mobile site on my phone works better than the desktop version or the telephone system. Just make sure you're on a stable wifi connection when submitting.

had kinda the same thing happen to me. boss cut my hours from 40 to like 12 a week and esd said i quit! took forever to get it sorted but did win my appeal eventually

One more piece of advice: if it's been more than 8 weeks, you can try contacting your state representative's office. They often have liaisons who can help check on the status of appeals. They won't expedite it necessarily, but they might be able to get you more information than you can get yourself.

Update for anyone finding this thread: I called ESD this morning and finally got through to a representative after about a 45-minute wait. The agent confirmed they're experiencing extremely high call volumes right now due to some recent system changes. They recommended using the online message center in eServices for most issues rather than calling. Apparently messages are currently being responded to within 3-5 business days, which is actually faster than getting through by phone for many issues. For those who absolutely need to speak to someone by phone, they said their lowest call volumes are currently Wednesday and Thursday afternoons between 2-4pm.

UPDATE: I finally got through! For anyone having the same problem, here's what worked: I called exactly at 8:00am, pressed 1 for English, then 3 for questions about an existing claim, then 2 for all other questions. I was put on hold for about 35 minutes but finally got a real person! They fixed my issue in about 10 minutes. Just wanted to update in case someone else finds this thread with the same problem. Persistence is key!

Has your employer been accommodating with your medical appointments at all? if they havent been working with you on your schedule after you provided doctors notes, you might have an ADA complaint too. my sister got unemployment after quitting because her boss refused reasonable accommodations for her medical condition

After reading through this entire thread, I think you have a reasonable case for benefits regardless of whether you quit or are terminated, BUT you need to be strategic in how you navigate this. Here's my comprehensive advice: 1. If you decide to resign, make it explicitly clear in writing that you are resigning due to medical necessity, not to avoid termination. Provide copies of medical documentation with your resignation. 2. When filing with ESD, focus on the medical reasons, not the attendance issues. The attendance problems were a symptom of the underlying medical needs, not misconduct. 3. Be prepared for adjudication - almost all voluntary quits go through this process. During adjudication, provide all documentation showing: - Medical necessity (doctor's notes) - Any attempts to work with your employer on accommodations - The timeline of events including your return from maternity leave - Any evidence that your employer was unwilling to accommodate medical needs 4. Consider also exploring PFML as others have suggested, especially if your or your child's medical issues are ongoing. 5. If denied initially (which happens frequently), immediately appeal and request a hearing where you can present your full documentation. Your situation involves several overlapping areas: maternity leave protections, medical necessity, and potentially ADA considerations. With proper documentation and clear explanation of the medical basis for separation, you have a reasonable path to benefits.