Based on my experience with ESD overpayments, here's what I'd recommend:\n\n1. Contact your state representative immediately (as others suggested)\n2. Set up a minimal payment plan to unfreeze your pending claims (even $10/month is enough)\n3. Request a formal overpayment itemization in writing\n4. File a complaint with the Washington State Office of the Attorney General (they have an online form)\n5. Keep filing your weekly claims even while this is being resolved\n\nESD's overpayment system is deeply flawed, but I've seen people successfully get these reversed with persistence and the right pressure points. Don't give up!

Thank you for the practical advice. I'll start with the payment plan to get my pending claims moving and then work through your other suggestions. I really appreciate everyone's help on this!

ESD IS THE WORST!!! This happens to me EVERY OTHER MONTH!!! Their stupid system locks accounts for NO REASON and then expects us to waste HOURS of our lives trying to fix THEIR MISTAKES!!!! I've missed claim deadlines twice because of this exact issue and then had to file appeals just to get my benefits. The whole system is DESIGNED to make us give up!!!!

UPDATE: I was finally able to get in! For anyone who has this issue in the future, here's what worked for me: 1. I went to the SecureAccess Washington page directly (secure.esd.wa.gov) 2. Clicked on 'Forgot Password' even though I knew my password 3. Reset my password through the email link 4. Logged in with the new password 5. Had to answer my security questions again 6. Then it finally let me in and I could file my weekly claim Thanks everyone for your help! The system is definitely frustrating but at least I got it resolved without having to spend hours on the phone.

Just another thought - check if ur employer contested ur claim. Log into ur ESD account and look for any employer protests or responses. Sometimes they'll show what the employer said. That might tell u why u were denied without having to call.

Based on everything in this thread, you're dealing with a common issue where "voluntary separation packages" during downsizing get misclassified as voluntary quits. You have two parallel paths to pursue: 1. Continue with your appeal/hearing process. Start gathering ALL documentation: - The voluntary separation offer - Any communications indicating the alternative was potential layoff - Those text messages from your manager (crucial evidence) - Timeline of events leading to your separation - Witness contacts who can verify the nature of the downsizing 2. Simultaneously try reaching ESD for a redetermination: - Try the early morning calls - Consider the Claimyr service others mentioned if necessary - Specifically request a "redetermination based on new information" - Explain that this was effectively a layoff despite the terminology Don't give up on either path until one succeeds. Many people successfully overturn these denials when they can prove the voluntary separation was effectively a layoff in disguise.

Since you were laid off and have documentation, I suspect this might be a verification or technical issue rather than a substantive problem with your claim. A few more suggestions:\n\n1. Check if the wages reported in your claim match what you actually earned - discrepancies can trigger reviews\n2. Make sure your identity verification (ID.me) is complete\n3. Double-check that your contact information is correct in the system\n4. Look for any correspondence in your eServices message center\n\nIf you get through to a representative, ask specifically if your claim is in adjudication and if so, what issue is being adjudicated. Also ask if there's anything you can do to expedite the process given your financial hardship.\n\nHang in there - the system is frustrating but persistence usually pays off eventually.

Thanks for the detailed checklist. I've confirmed all of these items seem to be in order. I completed ID.me verification right away, my wages match my W-2s, contact info is correct, and there are no messages in my inbox. That's what makes this so frustrating - there's no indication of any problem! I'm going to try calling first thing tomorrow and if that fails, I'll reach out to my state representative. I really appreciate everyone's help and suggestions.

My sister worked for ESD and told me a bunch of these claims are getting stuck because of the new ID verification system they put in place after all the fraud during COVID. Do you know if they asked you to verify your identity? Sometimes people miss those notices because they go to spam or get lost among other ESD messages.

I waited 9 weeks last year and then suddenly got a big deposit in my checking account with zero notification. The whole system is a mess. I'd recommend calling your local WorkSource office too - sometimes they can see notes on your account that aren't visible to you.

I'm an unemployment advocate, and I've seen this exact issue many times. The problem is that the ESD computer system sometimes incorrectly applies a disqualification from one employer to the entire claim. This is especially true when both separations happened close together. Two important points: 1. You are absolutely entitled to benefits based on your eligible employment (the marketing job). 2. This is 100% a technical issue that requires a claims specialist to manually review and correct in the system. The fastest resolution would be speaking directly with a claims specialist who can see both determinations and fix the payment status. Once corrected, your back payments should be processed within 48-72 hours typically. If you can't get through on the phone, try the Technical Support line (different from the regular claims line) early in the morning (right when they open). They often have shorter wait times and can transfer you to a claims specialist.

UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD this morning using the Claimyr service someone recommended here. The claims specialist confirmed exactly what you all suspected - the system incorrectly applied the disqualification from my art studio job to my entire claim! The specialist was able to fix it right on the call and said my back payments should process within 3-5 business days. She also said I should see the status change from "disqualified" to "paid" in eServices within 24 hours. Thank you all SO MUCH for your help and advice. This has been such a stressful two months, and I'm incredibly relieved to know I'll finally be receiving the benefits I'm entitled to.

when i left my toxic job last year i just said i was laid off lol... way easier than proving hostile work environment... they never even checked with my employer

Thank you all for the advice! I'm definitely feeling more prepared now. I'm gathering all my documentation, continuing therapy, and will be explicit about the timeline of events when I file. I'm still nervous about the process but at least I have a better idea of what to expect now.

THE WORST PART is how they make us wait for WEEKS while bills pile up!!!! Why does it take 7+ weeks just to ask a simple question they could have asked day ONE?!?! The whole system is designed to make people give up. FIGHT FOR YOUR BENEFITS!!!!

Make sure ur still filing weekly claims while waiting for adjudication!!! A lot of people forget and then have to backfile which is a huge hassle

make sure u have like 3 job search activities every week!!! my friend didnt do that and they stopped her benefits and she had to appeal and it was a whole thing

One more important tip - when you do apply, set up your account to receive alerts by both email AND text message. The ESD system sometimes sends important notices that require quick action, and if you miss them, it can delay or stop your benefits. I learned this the hard way when they needed additional information and I didn't see the alert for almost two weeks!

Wait I'm confused... is this the ID.me verification or something different? Because I did the ID.me thing when I first applied back in February... are they making people do it AGAIN now?

UPDATE: I submitted all my documents yesterday and just got an email saying my verification was approved! That was faster than I expected. All my pending payments were released too. For anyone else dealing with this: I submitted my driver's license (front and back), social security card, and a recent utility bill. Make sure your photos are clear and all text is readable.