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Please update us after you talk to ESD! I'm in a similar situation (different company but also MLM-ish) and I'm worried about my benefits too. Hoping your case goes well!
UPDATE: Finally got through to ESD this morning using Claimyr (thanks for that recommendation, it actually worked!). The agent was super understanding once I explained it was an MLM requiring me to pay for my own licensing. She noted in my file that this wasn't suitable employment and said I should continue filing my weekly claims as normal. Such a relief! She said they see this kind of predatory recruiting all the time with these companies targeting unemployed people.
To add to what others have said, request a Statement of Overpayment Account through your eServices portal. This will show exactly what the system thinks you owe and for what time periods. Really helps when you get someone on the phone to have this info ready.
When you connect with an agent, be sure to ask them to document that this was a system error and request that they flag your account to prevent this from happening again in the future. Also request a formal letter confirming the resolution once it's fixed. This provides protection if it happens again.
Update: Finally got through to ESD this morning! The agent confirmed it was indeed a system error from their database migration. They could see the notes that the overpayment was resolved in 2023, but somehow the flag got removed during their system update. She fixed it while I was on the phone and said my next payment will be processed normally. She's also sending me a confirmation letter. SUCH a relief! Thanks everyone for your help!
Just to clarify some technical details on this topic: When you withdraw an unemployment claim that hasn't paid benefits, it's completely removed from the system with no negative impacts. The quarters used for your base year calculation are the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before application. So filing on April 1, 2025 would use quarters: Jan-Mar 2024, Apr-Jun 2024, Jul-Sep 2024, and Oct-Dec 2024. Filing before April 1 would exclude the Oct-Dec 2024 quarter and instead use Oct-Dec 2023. If your earnings were higher in late 2024, waiting until April would definitely be beneficial.
Has anyone tried emailing your state representative about ESD issues? When my claim was stuck in adjudication for 5 weeks last year, I finally emailed my district rep with my claim details and they actually helped push it through within a week. Might be worth a try if you're really desperate about rent.
That's a great idea I hadn't considered. How do I find out who my representative is? And did you just email them directly explaining your situation?
Go to leg.wa.gov and enter your address to find your district rep. I emailed all three of mine explaining my situation, how long I'd been waiting, and how it was affecting my ability to pay rent and bills. One of their assistants got back to me within 2 days and contacted ESD on my behalf. Can't guarantee it'll work every time but worth trying!
One more important thing to mention - make sure you're still doing and documenting your job search activities every week, even during adjudication. If they eventually approve your claim, they'll check that you've been meeting the job search requirements for all those weeks. I've seen people get approved after weeks of waiting only to discover they can't get paid for certain weeks because they didn't keep up with their job search requirements during the wait.
Heather Tyson
Just wanted to update - it's been a week since I got my payment and everything is still working properly. My weekly claims are being processed normally now too. For those asking how exactly I approached the call - I was polite but direct, explained my situation clearly, and had all my claim details ready. The person I spoke to was really understanding. I honestly wish I'd tried this sooner instead of suffering for a month!
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Jenna Sloan
I called this morning!!! The lady was super nice and took all my info. She said they would escalate it to ESD's executive team. Fingers crossed something happens!!
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