my cousin works for the militarey and he said they have a special number u can call for this stuff. did u try the military support line?

I just went through this exact same issue last month! As a veteran myself, I can confirm that using 12/31/2099 is absolutely the right approach. I was initially hesitant too because it felt weird entering a "fake" date, but when I finally got through to ESD (took forever), the representative assured me this is their standard procedure for military IDs. One tip - take a screenshot of your completed application showing that date, just in case you need to reference it later if they ask any questions during processing. My claim went through without any issues and I never heard anything more about the expiration date. Also, if you're a military spouse like me, make sure you have both your military ID and your spouse's military documentation handy in case they need additional verification. Sometimes they ask for proof of your spouse's service status to confirm your dependent ID is valid. Good luck with your claim! The 2099 date trick definitely works.

I went through this exact same situation last year! ESD made a misconduct determination without ever contacting my employer too. It's incredibly frustrating but definitely fixable. Here's what saved me time: 1. File your appeal ONLINE immediately - don't mail it, the online system is faster 2. In the appeal, be very specific that your employer disputes the misconduct finding 3. Have your HR manager write a detailed letter explaining the actual reason for separation (layoff, position elimination, etc.) 4. Request your complete personnel file from HR - this shows your work history and any disciplinary actions (or lack thereof) The good news is that having your HR manager willing to represent you puts you in a much stronger position than most people. Most employers don't want to deal with unemployment hearings, so having someone from your company actively supporting your case is huge. One thing I learned: ESD sometimes defaults to "misconduct" when they don't receive employer information within their timeframe, even if that's not what actually happened. Your appeal hearing will be much more thorough than their initial determination process. Keep filing your weekly claims while you appeal - this is crucial for getting backpay if you win!

I had this exact same issue happen to me in December! ESD denied me for "misconduct" when I was actually laid off due to budget cuts. My employer never even got contacted by ESD either - it's like they just pick random reasons sometimes. Here's what worked for me: I filed my appeal online the same day I got the denial letter, and I had my former supervisor write a letter on company letterhead stating I was laid off, not fired for misconduct. The letter specifically said "This employee was not terminated for misconduct" and explained the actual reason (workforce reduction in my case). The appeal hearing was scheduled about a month later, and it was pretty straightforward. The judge asked my supervisor a few questions, looked at the documentation, and overturned ESD's decision immediately. I got all my backpay for the weeks I had filed claims during the appeal process. Having your HR manager willing to represent you is amazing - most people don't have that kind of support. Make sure she has all the details about your separation and can speak to your work performance. You're in a really good position to win this appeal! Also, definitely keep filing those weekly claims. I almost stopped filing because I thought there was no point, but thankfully someone on here told me to keep going. Would have lost thousands in backpay otherwise.

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I've decided to: 1. Stop filing UI claims during my recovery 2. Apply for PFML (already checked and I have enough hours) 3. Use Claimyr to reach ESD before my surgery to confirm everything 4. Reopen my UI claim once I'm cleared to work Really appreciate all the guidance - this community is amazing!

Just wanted to add something important that I learned the hard way - if you're planning to apply for PFML, make sure you get all your medical documentation ready BEFORE your surgery. You'll need forms filled out by your doctor, and it's much easier to get these done during your pre-op appointment than trying to chase down paperwork while you're recovering. Also, PFML benefits are only about 90% of your average weekly wage (with caps), so it might be less than your UI benefits depending on your situation. Budget accordingly! The good news is that stopping and restarting UI claims is pretty straightforward once you know the process.

I went through something similar last year when I had to travel for a family emergency. Here's what worked for me: I called WorkSource about 3 weeks before my trip and explained the situation. They were actually pretty understanding and let me reschedule my RESEA appointment for after I returned. The key is calling them well in advance and having a legitimate reason. Don't just no-show! Also, when you reopen your claim after travel, make sure to document the exact dates you were unavailable for work. I kept receipts from my trip just in case they asked for proof later. The waiting week when you restart is annoying but it's standard procedure. Good luck!

I've been through a similar situation and want to emphasize what others have said - definitely contact WorkSource ASAP! I had to travel unexpectedly last summer and called them about 4 weeks before my scheduled RESEA appointment. They were able to reschedule it without any issues. The agent I spoke with said they get requests like this fairly often and can accommodate them as long as you call in advance rather than just not showing up. When I called, I just explained that I had pre-planned travel and wouldn't be available, and they rescheduled me for about a week after I returned. No documentation was required over the phone, just a clear explanation of why I couldn't make the original date. For the weekly claims, you're absolutely right not to file while you're unavailable for work - that would be fraud. The inactive claim situation is manageable, just budget for that gap in payments when you return. The whole process of reopening took me about a week once I was back and ready to job search again.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! This is really reassuring to know that Washington ESD has most employment records in their system already. I'm feeling much better about filing my claim now. I'll gather up my recent pay stubs and W-2 just in case, and make sure to use my full legal name on the application. Really appreciate all the detailed responses - this community is so helpful!

I just went through this process a few months ago and wanted to add that if you have any gaps in employment, Washington ESD might ask for additional documentation to explain those periods. In my case, I had a 2-month gap between jobs and they wanted to verify I wasn't working during that time. I had to provide a brief written explanation and show that I wasn't receiving any unreported income. It didn't delay my claim much, but it's something to be prepared for. Also, keep digital copies of all your employment documents stored somewhere safe - you never know when you might need them again for future claims or other purposes.