Update: I finally got through to ESD this morning! Called right at 8:00 AM like someone suggested. Turns out the overpayment was because I accidentally reported working 15 hours one week in 2020 when my employer reported 19 hours. The agent was actually really helpful and I'm going to send in some old pay stubs I found to contest it. They put a hold on collections while I gather my documentation. Thanks everyone for the advice!

Glad you got through! One more tip - make copies of EVERYTHING you send them and keep a log of every conversation (date, time, agent name if possible). I learned the hard way that sometimes things get "lost" in their system and you need proof of what you've submitted and when.

One more thing - make sure you're still completing your weekly claims even while waiting for the payment issue to resolve. I've seen people get so focused on the stuck payment that they forget to file for current weeks, which creates even more problems. Also, when you do reach someone at ESD, ask them to check if there's an "identity verification hold" that may not be visible to you in your online portal. Sometimes these are placed automatically by their system with no notification.

UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD! I tried the Claimyr service that someone suggested here, and despite being skeptical, it actually worked. After weeks of trying on my own, I connected with an agent within 20 minutes. Turns out my payment was stuck because of what they called a "cross-match flag" with another state system (even though I've never worked outside WA). The agent was able to clear it immediately. She said the payment should hit my account within 48 hours. Thanks to everyone for the advice and suggestions. Will update again when the money actually arrives!

So wait I'm confused about something... if he got fired for cause (his fault), why would he even qualify for unemployment? I thought you could only get benefits if you lost your job through no fault of your own? My brother got fired for being late too many times and ESD denied his claim completely.

Just wanted to add something important about the school/training situation. If these classes are directly related to improving employability (which they clearly are), your husband should document everything. Keep emails from the potential employer stating the classes are required, save enrollment confirmations, etc. This documentation will be CRUCIAL if ESD ever questions his availability for work. Also, when he reports the classes on his weekly claim, there's usually a follow-up question asking if he would quit school for full-time work. The answer needs to be YES to avoid issues with unemployment eligibility.

so i had this happen to me too and i just kept filing evry week anyway and eventually they approved my claim and paid me for all the back weeks even tho they said disqualfied at first. took like 6 weeks total tho

Update: I got through to ESD finally! Turns out my weekly claims were disqualified because I wasn't correctly reporting my job search activities. The agent explained I need exactly 3 per week and they need to be entered correctly in the system. She helped me file an appeal for those weeks and showed me how to properly document activities going forward. For anyone with similar issues - definitely call them right away instead of waiting like I did!

not to be off topic but am i the only one who thinks they make those questions confusing on purpose? like why is the refusing work question a double negative? "did you refuse any work?" no means you didn't refuse, yes means you did refuse... confuses me every time

Update: I got through to ESD this morning! Used the Claimyr service someone mentioned and got a callback within 45 minutes. The agent was super understanding and said this happens all the time. She put a note on my claim explaining the error, but said it will still need to go through a quick review by an adjudicator. She said to keep filing my weekly claims as normal, and that most of these simple errors get resolved within 5-10 business days. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

did anyone complete thier orientation online? i hate going to in-person stuff and the esd website say you can do virtual orentation but doesnt say how????

Here's the exact process for 2025: 1. Register on WorkSourceWA.com (which you've done) 2. Call your local WorkSource office (keep trying - mornings are best) 3. Ask specifically for "UI Orientation scheduling" 4. Attend orientation (virtual or in-person) 5. After orientation, you'll be given instructions on how to request a career counselor if needed Important: The orientation MUST be completed within 30 days, but career counselor assignment can happen later. If you're struggling to get through on the phone, try emailing your local office with your name, last 4 of SSN, and a request for orientation scheduling. They typically respond within 48 hours. Also, while waiting for orientation, continue doing and documenting your 3 job search activities each week. The orientation itself will count as one activity for the week you complete it.

my cousin waited like 3 months last year and then got denied for something stupid. make sure u appeal right away if they deny u!! u only get like 30 days to appeal or ur screwed

Final update: My claim was approved this morning! All 5 weeks of backpay are showing as paid and should hit my account in 2-3 business days. Such a relief. For anyone else stuck in adjudication - don't give up, keep calling until you can talk to someone, and definitely keep filing your weekly claims even when it seems hopeless.

Quick update on refund timelines - I was just helping another claimant with this last week. ESD is currently running about 6-8 weeks for processing overpayment refunds. If you had direct deposit set up, make sure it's still the same account, as they'll use whatever bank info they have on file. If you've closed that account, you should update your banking info in eServices immediately or call to notify them. Also, if your original overpayment was deducted from benefits rather than paid directly by you (meaning they withheld money from your weekly claims), the refund process can take a bit longer as it requires additional verification steps.

Just got my refund last week after my overpayment was waived in early March, so about 7 weeks total. No notice or anything, just showed up in my bank account with a weird reference number. Almost missed it! Make sure you're checking your account regularly.

don't forget to file for continued benefits while appealing!!! i made that mistake and lost 2 months of potential benefits even tho i won my appeal!!! even if they say ur disqualified, file weekly claims anyway and note that ur appealing.

That's a really good point - thank you! I almost stopped filing because of the disqualification letter. I'll make sure to keep submitting my weekly claims during the appeal process.

To answer your earlier question - don't proactively send documentation to ESD yet. When your claim goes to adjudication, you'll receive a questionnaire or phone interview request. That's when you should present your evidence and explain that you received no warnings or performance improvement plan prior to termination. The fact pattern you've described (sudden termination with no documented history of problems, followed by employer claiming performance issues after the fact) is very common, and ESD adjudicators are familiar with it. As long as you respond promptly to their requests and clearly explain the situation, you have a good chance of approval.

btw while ur waiting make sure ur applying for food benefits and rental assistance if u need it!! washington has emergency funds for people waiting on unemployment. google 'washington erap' for rent help and dshs for food. dont wait till ur broke!!!