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Whatever you decide, make sure you file your weekly claims even during adjudication. If you get approved they'll backdate the payments, but if you don't file the weekly claims you lose those weeks forever.
The bottom line is Washington ESD takes good cause quits seriously but the bar is pretty high. Make sure you have solid documentation and exhaust other options first. It's definitely possible to get approved but you need to build a strong case.
One last thing - if you have any questions about your specific situation, don't hesitate to call Washington ESD. Yes, it can be hard to get through, but they can give you personalized guidance based on your work history and circumstances.
Just want to add that if you do end up needing to reach someone at Washington ESD and the regular phone system isn't working, that Claimyr service really does help. Used it myself when my claim got flagged for identity verification. Worth checking out their demo video if you're curious.
One last thing - if your employer contests your claim (which they might to avoid higher unemployment taxes), don't panic. Contest cases are very common and many people still get approved. Just make sure you respond to any requests for information from Washington ESD promptly.
Best of luck! The whole process can be stressful but Washington ESD is generally fair about approving benefits for people who were fired without committing actual misconduct. Hang in there and don't let your former employer intimidate you.
I found it helpful to print out a copy of my completed application for my records before submitting it. That way I had all the information handy if I needed to reference it later when filing weekly claims or if anyone had questions about my claim.
Good luck with your application! The online system has gotten much better over the years. Just be patient if there are any hiccups - lots of people are using the system so sometimes it runs slow, especially on Sundays when everyone is filing their weekly claims.
Andre Moreau
I tried using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it actually worked great. Got through to Washington ESD in about 15 minutes and was able to get my benefit amount question answered directly. Much better than the phone marathon I was expecting.
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Zoe Christodoulou
•That's good to hear! I was skeptical but might give it a try if I run into issues.
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Andre Moreau
•Yeah I was skeptical too but when you're desperate to get answers it's worth trying. The video demo they have explains everything pretty clearly.
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Jamal Thompson
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread! I learned more about unemployment benefit calculations in 20 minutes of reading than I did in hours of trying to navigate the Washington ESD website.
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Natasha Orlova
•Totally agree! This community is amazing for getting real answers to these confusing government processes.
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Mei Chen
•Forums like this are a lifesaver when you're trying to figure out unemployment stuff for the first time.
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