The healthcare premium deduction is probably because you had employer-provided health insurance and selected to continue it through COBRA. When you filed your initial claim, there's a question about continuing health insurance coverage. If you selected yes, they automatically deduct the premium from your benefits. You can change this by submitting a written request to ESD asking them to stop the healthcare premium deduction. But then you'd need to make other arrangements for your health insurance.

Just to add onto what others have said - the tax withholding is typically 10% for federal taxes. There's no state income tax in Washington, so that's all they take for taxes. The healthcare premium will vary based on your previous plan. Do double-check that the base amount before deductions matches your monetary determination letter. If that number is wrong, then there's a different issue that would require contacting ESD. But if it's just the deductions causing the difference, then everything is probably working as intended.

This overpayment situation is actually quite common with PUA and other pandemic unemployment programs. The formal notices stating you're "not responsible for repayment of any kind" are likely the result of blanket overpayment waivers that were authorized by federal legislation for non-fraudulent COVID-related overpayments. What you're experiencing is a disconnect between ESD's waiver processing and their accounting systems. Here's what I would recommend: 1. Double-check that the notices specifically reference your current claim ID and the exact overpayment amount you're concerned about 2. Submit a records request through ESD's Public Records department (you can do this online) asking for all documents related to your overpayment balance and any waivers applied 3. Keep copies of all waiver notices in a safe place - these are your legal protection The lack of collection activity is actually a good sign that the waiver is recognized in their enforcement system, even if the accounting system still shows a balance. This is a known issue with ESD's outdated computer systems. Getting it fully resolved will likely require speaking with someone at ESD who has the authority to manually adjust your account.

A bunch of us at my old job got hit with these overpayment notices after COVID and almost everyone I know got them reduced or waived completely. But the ESD computer system is like ancient and doesn't update right. My cousin works for DSHS (different agency but they talk) and she said the notices saying your not responsible are the official legal document that matters, not what the computer shows. But yeah if u can get through to them somehow get them to correct the computer balance too just for peace of mind.

i just called esd and the recording said 188 minute wait time!!! that's like 3 hours!! who has time for that??

Anyone else think it's INCREDIBLY SUSPICIOUS that ESD is suddenly offering these waivers right before the 5-year statute of limitations kicks in for pandemic unemployment claims??? It's like they're trying to get people to acknowledge the debts before they legally expire! Be careful what you sign!!!

My brother got his no problem! 2 weeks and money started coming. Meanwhile im on week 6 of waiting lol. I think its just random luck honestly

@OP - Just FYI, I used that Claimyr service I mentioned after trying to call the regular way for THREE WEEKS. The difference is they have some system that holds your place in line so you don't have to keep redialing. When I finally got through, the ESD agent told me my claim was just sitting there waiting for someone to review a document I had uploaded. She processed it while I was on the phone. Sometimes the claims just need a human touch to move them along in the system. The most frustrating part is not knowing WHY it's stuck or what you need to do. That's why getting through on the phone can make all the difference.

I work in HR and can confirm this is 100% legitimate. We've had several employees experience fraud holds in the past year. What's concerning is that ESD always sends very specific instructions about how to release the hold. Usually it involves uploading identification documents through their secure portal. If he's being vague about what steps he needs to take, that would make me suspicious.

Update: I talked to him and he showed me his eServices account. There actually is a fraud hold! He had a letter in his messages that he hadn't even opened asking for ID verification from 3 weeks ago! No wonder it's taking so long - he never responded to them! We're uploading his documents now. Thanks everyone for helping me understand this was a real thing and not made up.

Try calling the technical support line instead of the main claims line. When you get someone from tech support, explain that you've been unable to reach claims for weeks. Sometimes they'll transfer you directly to a claims specialist, bypassing the main queue. Worked for me twice in the past month!

UPDATE: I finally got through!!! Used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above and was connected to an agent in about 30 mins. They fixed my claim issue right away - turns out there was a simple verification problem they could have solved in 5 minutes if I could have just reached them weeks ago! So frustrating but at least it's resolved now. Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

Has anyone mentioned the Unemployment Law Project yet? They specifically help with ESD appeals and often take cases pro bono. Worth checking out!

whats the status now??? did u get any help?? hope ur appeal is going ok!

my cousin forgot to file for like 3 weeks and he said when he reopened they made him do the waiting week again AND they asked him a bunch of questions about why he wasn't filing. said they were super suspicious about it. he had to do a phone interview with a adjudicator or whatever they're called

One important thing nobody has mentioned: make sure you keep doing your job search activities even for the week you missed filing. While you won't get paid for that week, ESD can still audit your job search records for any week you were eligible, even if you didn't claim. Also, set a weekly reminder on your phone for filing your claim - I do mine every Sunday at 10am without fail. The ESD system actually has a reminder option in your settings that will email you weekly.

Update on my earlier comment - I finally got through to a supervisor at ESD today and was told they actually do have a "trusted claimant" program they're rolling out for people with consistent seasonal claim history. It's not fully implemented yet, but you might want to specifically ask about it when you call. Apparently if you've had 3+ years of clean claims with the same seasonal pattern, you can request to be added to this expedited review process for future claims.

just got my first payment today!!! only took 5 weeks this time which is better than the 9 weeks last year i guess lol. progress?

Anyone gone through an appeal recently? My hearing is next month and I'm trying to figure out if they're still doing them all by phone or if they've gone back to in-person hearings?

DONT let them intimidate you with all their legal BS!!! My determination letter had all this legal garbage about 'burden of proof' and 'statutory requirements' but the actual hearing was way more straightforward. The judge just asked me questions about what happened and I answered honestly. Won my case in 20 minutes! These big companies try to trick ESD with their HR paperwork all the time and the judges know it!!