Based on all these responses, it sounds like audits can be triggered by a variety of things - some random, some due to data discrepancies, and some from employer reports. The most important thing seems to be staying organized and responsive. I'd recommend creating a folder with all your unemployment documentation including job search logs, correspondence, pay stubs from any work, and copies of all your weekly claims. If you do need to contact Washington ESD during the audit process, it sounds like their phone system is really difficult to get through, so having a service like Claimyr as a backup option could be helpful. Try not to stress too much - if you've been honest and following the rules, the audit should resolve in your favor even if it takes some time.

I went through an audit about 6 months ago and it was definitely stressful at first, but it ended up being resolved fairly quickly once I provided the documentation they requested. In my case, it was triggered because I had moved during my unemployment period and they wanted to verify I was still actively seeking work in my new area. The audit letter I received was pretty vague too, which made it more anxiety-inducing than it needed to be. What helped me was immediately gathering all my records - job search logs, applications I'd submitted, any emails from potential employers, and copies of all my weekly certifications. I also made sure to respond to their requests within the timeframes they specified. The whole process took about 3 weeks from start to finish. If you've been filing honestly and keeping up with the work search requirements, you should be fine. Just stay organized and don't let the initial panic get to you - most of these audits are routine checks rather than investigations into wrongdoing.

This exact same thing happened to me back in November! The disconnect between the approval letter and the weekly claims status is so confusing and stressful. In my case, it turned out my former employer had reported incorrect information about my separation too. What really helped me was gathering all my documentation - my layoff notice, any emails about the restructuring, and my final paycheck stub that showed "lack of work" as the reason. Having everything organized made the adjudication call go much smoother. The whole process took about 4 weeks total, but I did get all my back pay once it was resolved. Hang in there - it sounds like you're on the right track now that you've spoken with an agent!

I'm going through something very similar right now! Got my approval letter three weeks ago saying I'm eligible for $720/week, but every single weekly claim shows "disqualified" with zero explanation. It's so nerve-wracking when you're counting on that income and the system just gives you conflicting information. Reading through everyone's responses here has been incredibly helpful - I didn't even know to check for an "Issues and Decisions" section or look in my online inbox for letters. I'm going to log in right after this and see if there's something in adjudication that I missed. It's crazy how they can send you an approval letter but not tell you there are still unresolved issues that will block your payments. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver when ESD's communication is so unclear!

Final tip: when you set up your payment plan, make sure you can realistically afford the monthly amount. It's better to start with a lower payment you can consistently make than to set up something too high and risk defaulting on the plan.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago with a $3,100 overpayment from Washington ESD. Here's what I learned: First, definitely read through all the documentation carefully to understand WHY they say you were overpaid. In my case, it was because I had reported some freelance income incorrectly during my claim period. Second, don't panic about the amount - Washington ESD is actually pretty reasonable about payment plans. I set up a $125/month plan and they approved it without any hassle. The whole process took about 20 minutes once I finally got through to someone. The key is acting fast since you only have 30 days to respond or appeal. If you think the overpayment might be wrong, definitely explore that option first before just agreeing to pay it back.

Update us on how this goes! I'm sure other people reading this thread will want to know how overpayment situations typically get resolved.

I went through a similar overpayment situation last year and want to share what worked for me. First, gather all your documentation - weekly claim forms, pay stubs, and any correspondence with Washington ESD. Then log into your online account and review the "determination" section carefully - it should show exactly what weeks they think you were overpaid and why. In my case, there was a discrepancy between what I reported for part-time work and what my employer reported to them. The key is to act quickly within that 30-day appeal window if you disagree with their finding. Don't let the $2,800 amount scare you - focus on understanding whether their calculation is actually correct first. If you do end up owing something, they're usually reasonable about payment plans as long as you communicate proactively with them.

Glad you were able to get through and get your issue resolved! That's a really helpful tip about keeping the job separation details brief - I bet that will help a lot of people who are having the same freezing problem. It's frustrating that the system is so finicky about text length, but at least now we know. Hope your claim gets processed quickly from here!

This is super helpful! I'm actually going through the same thing right now - got laid off two weeks ago and the online system keeps giving me problems. I tried calling that 800 number a few times but could never get through. Going to try the early morning approach and also keep my job separation details short like you mentioned. It's so frustrating that the system is this difficult when people really need help, but at least this community is sharing solutions that actually work. Thanks for taking the time to update us with what fixed your issue!