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To clarify for everyone: These refunds are part of ESD's implementation of the blanket waiver program that was authorized during COVID. ESD is still processing these even in 2025 due to the massive backlog. Regarding taxes: 1. If you deducted the original repayment on your taxes as an itemized deduction → You likely need to report the refund as income (tax benefit rule) 2. If you used the standard deduction → You generally DON'T need to report the refund as income 3. If your itemized deductions that year didn't actually reduce your tax liability → You might not need to report it as income ESD should have included Publication 525 information with your refund check. It specifically addresses the tax implications of benefit repayments and subsequent refunds. If you're unsure, consult a tax professional with your specific situation.
Thank you SO much for this detailed explanation! You're right, there was an insert with the check that mentioned Publication 525, but I didn't realize what it was. I'll go back and look at it more carefully now.
wait so are they doing this automatically for everyone or do we need to apply somewhere? i paid back like $5k in 2021 and nobody told me anything about waivers
They're processing them automatically, but they're going through cases very slowly. The blanket waivers were approved for non-fraud overpayments during the pandemic period, but ESD's implementation has been extremely inconsistent. If you repaid an overpayment from the COVID period (roughly March 2020 through September 2021), it's worth calling ESD to check if your case qualifies for the waiver program. Be prepared for a long wait though - their phone lines are still overwhelmed.
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One more important thing - when you file your new claim, you'll need to have your employment information ready for all jobs in the last 18 months. That includes employer names, addresses, phone numbers, employment dates, and why you're no longer working there. Also be prepared to verify your identity again through ID.me if you haven't used your ESD account recently.
Thank you for the reminder! I do have most of that information saved from my previous application, but I'll make sure to update everything. I did the ID.me verification already for my first claim - will I need to do it again?
If you've already successfully completed ID.me verification for your ESD account, you shouldn't need to do it again. However, keep your ID.me login information handy just in case. The system sometimes requests reverification if it's been several months since your last login.
I went through almost the exact same situation! Filed in fall 2024, got denied for insufficient hours, then had to file a new claim in January 2025 once my summer work counted. The "invalid" status is basically the system's way of saying your claim is dead and can't be revived. Don't waste any more time trying to file weekly claims on it - those weeks are just lost unfortunately. File your new initial claim ASAP since your summer 2024 hours should now be in your base period. The process was pretty straightforward once I started fresh, and I was approved within about 10 days. Good luck!
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I'm in a very similar situation - my hours just got reduced from 38 to 25 per week and I wasn't sure if I qualified for anything. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about the Shared Work program or that there were alternatives to just applying for jobs to meet the search requirements. One question I have after reading everything: If I file my initial claim now but my hours reduction doesn't start for another two weeks, do I still need to file weekly claims during those two weeks when I'm still working full time? Or do I wait until my hours actually get cut to start the weekly filing process? Also, has anyone had experience with how long the adjudication process typically takes for partial unemployment claims? I'm trying to plan my budget around when I might actually start receiving benefits.
Great questions! From what I understand based on the other responses here, you should file your initial claim right away even before your hours get cut - that establishes your claim effective date. But for the weekly claims, you'd wait until you actually start working the reduced hours to begin filing those, since you report your actual hours worked and wages earned each week. As for adjudication timing, it seems like it varies a lot based on what others have shared. @Diego Castillo mentioned 3 weeks total from filing to first payment, while @Elijah O Reilly'said 6 weeks due to adjudication delays. @Natalie Adams also mentioned it being a long process. It might depend on how straightforward your case is - voluntary hours reduction by employer should be pretty clear-cut compared to more complex situations. I d definitely'recommend asking your employer about that Shared Work program @Amara Torres mentioned since it sounds like it eliminates the job search requirements and might process faster. Worth a shot!
I went through partial unemployment when my hours were reduced from 40 to 24 per week about 6 months ago. A few tips that might help: First, definitely file your initial claim as soon as you know about the reduction - don't wait until it actually happens. The effective date matters for when benefits can start. Second, the weekly benefit calculation can be tricky to estimate beforehand. I was making about $18/hour and thought I wouldn't qualify for much, but between the partial benefit and the new $25 weekly supplement, I was getting around $180/week which really helped cover my rent shortfall. Third, keep really good records of everything - your old schedule, new schedule, pay stubs, any documentation from your employer about the hours reduction being involuntary. ESD may ask for proof that this wasn't your choice. The job search requirement was annoying but manageable. I mostly did online workshops and updated my resume/LinkedIn rather than actually applying places since I wanted to keep my current job. Just document everything properly. One last thing - if you have any issues with your claim getting stuck, don't waste weeks trying to call ESD. Use one of those callback services or try contacting your local WorkSource office for help navigating the system. The sooner you get it resolved, the better.
This is really comprehensive advice, thank you! The $180/week example at $18/hour is super helpful - I make about $16/hour so this gives me a good ballpark of what to expect. I'm definitely going to start documenting everything now before my hours actually get reduced. Your point about the callback services is interesting - I saw @Sophia Russo mention something similar earlier about Claimyr. Good to know there are alternatives to sitting on hold for hours if issues come up. I m'hoping my case will be straightforward since it s'a clear employer-initiated hours reduction, but it s'good to know about backup options. One quick follow-up question: When you were doing the online workshops for job search requirements, did you find them through WorkSource specifically, or were there other sources that ESD accepted? I want to make sure I m'doing activities that definitely count toward the requirement.
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I moved from Seattle to Phoenix while collecting Washington unemployment benefits about 8 months ago and it was one of the best decisions I made during my job search. The process was incredibly straightforward - I just logged into my online account, updated my address, and continued filing my weekly claims as usual. Washington ESD never questioned it or gave me any issues. The cost of living difference was huge and really took the financial pressure off, which allowed me to be more selective about job opportunities instead of taking the first thing that came along out of desperation. Phoenix has a surprisingly strong tech scene too, and I actually found more networking events and job opportunities than I expected. The key is just being honest about everything - document your job searches in your new location, keep all your records, and don't try to game the system. I found work after about 3 months in Phoenix and the whole experience taught me that the unemployment system is more flexible and reasonable than the horror stories make it seem. Good luck with your move to Portland - it's a great city with lots of opportunities!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! Your experience moving to Phoenix sounds so similar to what I'm hoping to do with Portland. The financial pressure aspect really resonates with me - I feel like I'm spending so much mental energy worrying about rent that it's actually hurting my job search focus. It's encouraging to hear that you found the Phoenix tech scene better than expected too. I've been doing some research on Portland's market and it seems like there are actually more mid-level opportunities there than what I'm seeing in Seattle right now. Thanks for emphasizing the importance of being honest and documenting everything - I've been keeping detailed records of all my job search activities just to be safe. Really appreciate you sharing your success story!
I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been on Washington ESD unemployment for about 3 months after getting laid off from my job in Vancouver, WA, and I've been thinking about moving to Austin where my sister lives. The cost of living difference would be huge and there are tons of opportunities in my field there. Reading all these success stories is really giving me the confidence to make the move. It's such a relief to know that so many people have done this successfully without any issues. I was worried I'd have to stay stuck in expensive Washington just to keep my benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is amazing for getting real answers instead of just speculation!
Olivia Harris
Glad to hear it worked out smoothly! This is such useful info for others who might make the same mistake. The fact that it went to your old account on normal timing confirms what others said about ESD's payment system being separate from their account management system. Keeping both accounts open is definitely the smart play - I've seen too many horror stories about payments getting stuck in limbo when people close accounts too quickly while on unemployment.
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Liam Murphy
•Thanks for sharing the update! This whole thread has been really helpful. I'm new to unemployment benefits and honestly had no idea about the timing issues with bank account changes. Good to know to plan ahead and keep old accounts open during the transition period. The ESD system seems pretty confusing but at least now I know what to expect if I ever need to switch banks while on benefits.
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Liam Mendez
This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - filed my claim yesterday and then realized I need to update my address with ESD since I moved last month. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like I should probably call to make sure my payment doesn't get mailed to my old address. Has anyone had experience with address changes affecting payment timing? I'm hoping it's not as complicated as the bank account situation since I can always forward mail, but want to be proactive about it.
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