For what it's worth, I've been through this exact situation and it worked out fine. Filed my taxes, got my refund, paid back the overpayment in installments. It seemed overwhelming at first but really wasn't that bad.

I went through something similar a couple years ago. One thing that really helped me was keeping detailed records of all my communications with Washington ESD about the overpayment - dates of calls, who I spoke with, what was discussed. Also, if you do decide to appeal, gather any documentation that supports your case (work records, pay stubs, etc.) before the 30-day deadline. The appeals process can actually be pretty straightforward if you have your paperwork organized.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Got approved two weeks ago but all my payments are still showing "pending" with no explanation. It's so stressful not knowing if there's an issue or if it's just their normal slow process. Reading everyone's experiences here is actually really helpful - at least I know I'm not the only one dealing with this. Going to try calling again tomorrow morning right when they open, maybe I'll have better luck getting through then. Thanks for posting about this!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and it was incredibly stressful! My payments were stuck in pending for almost 4 weeks after approval. What finally worked for me was sending a secure message through the ESD portal asking specifically about "payment processing delays" and referencing my claim number. I got a response within a week saying there was an automated hold that needed manual review, and my payments started coming through 3 days after that. Sometimes the secure messaging gets faster responses than calling, especially if you use specific keywords like "payment hold" or "processing delay" in your subject line. Worth trying while you're also attempting to get through by phone!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info. I feel much more prepared now to deal with this tax situation. Going to set aside some money from my remaining benefits and look into changing my withholding for the future.

I'm in a similar situation and really appreciate all the detailed info everyone has shared here. One thing I'm wondering about - if I start having taxes withheld now, will that help reduce what I owe for the benefits I already received earlier this year, or is it too late for that? I've received about $6,000 so far without any withholding and I'm worried I'm going to owe a lot come tax time.

Just to follow up on this thread: I checked with a colleague at ESD today about the current timing. For refunds of tax offsets when there's an approved waiver, they're currently processing these in about 4 weeks if you provide all the documentation correctly. Make sure you've submitted the Form 483-B specifically, as this initiates the refund process in their system. Without this form, your case might get delayed even if you've called and emailed.

This is so frustrating but unfortunately very common! I went through the exact same thing last year. My waiver was approved in November 2023, but they still took my refund in March 2024 because the systems don't sync up properly. The good news is you WILL get your money back, but it takes patience and persistence. I had to submit Form 483-B twice because they "lost" the first one, and it took about 6 weeks total. Keep copies of everything and follow up weekly. The collections department at 888-555-4636 was more helpful than the regular customer service line. Hang in there - you're not alone in this mess!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - what a nightmare! I'm relatively new to unemployment benefits but this seems completely unreasonable. From everything I'm reading here, it sounds like ESD made a serious error in denying your ENTIRE claim over one missed documentation week. I just wanted to add that while you're gathering evidence and filing your appeal, you might also want to document the financial hardship this is causing (like your back rent situation). Sometimes showing the real-world impact of their error can help your case. Also, I noticed several people mentioned continuing to file weekly claims during the appeal - definitely do this! I learned the hard way with other government benefits that you have to keep filing even when there's a dispute, or you lose eligibility for those weeks entirely. The fact that so many people here have successfully appealed similar situations gives me hope for your case. It sounds like you were doing everything right except for one administrative mistake, and that definitely shouldn't result in losing everything. Hang in there and don't let them intimidate you into giving up!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this stress! As someone who's been through the ESD appeals process twice, I want to echo what others have said - this absolutely sounds like an error on their part that you can successfully fight. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet: when you file your appeal, consider requesting an in-person or phone hearing rather than just a paper review. In my experience, hearing officers are more likely to understand the human side of these situations when they can actually talk to you. You'll be able to explain that you did the job searches but made a documentation error, and they can ask clarifying questions. Also, don't be discouraged if the first level appeal doesn't go your way (though it likely will based on what you've described). There are multiple levels of appeal in Washington, and I've seen people win at higher levels even after losing initially. The most important thing right now is getting that appeal filed ASAP and continuing your weekly claims. You've got a strong case here - a single documentation mistake shouldn't result in total claim denial. The community here has given you excellent advice, and it sounds like you're taking all the right steps. You've got this!