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After helping several family members through overpayment situations, here's what I've learned: 1. The reason for the overpayment MATTERS in how you approach it 2. Job search related overpayments can sometimes be resolved by providing documentation after the fact 3. If he has ANY proof of job searches during those weeks (emails, application confirmations, etc.), gather them now 4. Request a payment plan WHILE also appealing - you can do both simultaneously One more tip: When he finally speaks with ESD, ask specifically about a "Section 3304(a)(4) waiver" if he can demonstrate financial hardship. Many agents won't mention this option unless specifically asked.
woah $15,000 is crazy!!! that's way more than most of the overpayments i've heard about. has your son checked if his identity was stolen? sometimes scammers file claims using other peoples info and that could explain why the amount is so high?? just a thought
why are these government systems so awful?? in what universe should it be THIS HARD to fix a simple typo? ridiculous that you have to jump through all these hoops for something so basic. and of course they make it impossible to reach anyone...
One more important thing - when you do reach an agent, ask them to place a note on your account about the SSN correction. Then request they email you confirmation that the change has been made. This creates another layer of documentation. Also, if you're planning to call tomorrow, try right at 8:00 AM when the phone lines open. That's typically when you have the best chance of getting through.
my sister works for esd and she said people file after benefit year ends ALL THE TIME and its totally normal procedure, dont worry about it
Just an update for anyone finding this thread in the future: The law (RCW 50.04.030) defines a "week of unemployment" as any week within your benefit year where you meet eligibility requirements. The date you file the claim is irrelevant as long as you file within the allowable timeframe (usually within 1-2 weeks of the week ending date). This is standard procedure at ESD.
ppl are saying report all jobs but i think theres a min dollar amount b4 u have to report it? like if u made under $50 in a week u dont have to?? anyone know 4 sure??
Another thing - if youre signing up for the first time, WRITE DOWN YOUR SECURITY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS EXACTLY!!! The system is super picky and if you forget how you capitalized something or used punctuation, you can get locked out of your account for DAYS. Ask me how I know lol 🤦♂️
Ava Martinez
Wanted to clarify something - I work for ESD (not speaking in any official capacity). The Governor's office doesn't directly expedite claims, but they do sometimes forward constituent concerns to our Commissioner's Office, which can flag claims for review. The most effective routes right now are: 1. Your state legislators (as others have mentioned) 2. The ESD Ombuds Office 3. Getting through to an agent who can see if there's a simple issue holding up your claim And yes, hardship flags do exist in our system, but they require specific criteria and documentation. The agent needs to verify the hardship meets certain thresholds. Also, make sure you're continuing to file your weekly claims while in adjudication. I've seen too many people stop filing because they think it doesn't matter until adjudication is complete, but then they lose those weeks of potential benefits.
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CosmicCommander
•Thank you for the insider perspective! I have been filing my weekly claims religiously, so at least I'm doing that right. Quick question - is there any particular day/time when it's easier to get through on the phone lines?
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Ava Martinez
•Generally, Tuesday through Thursday tends to be slightly better than Mondays or Fridays. Early morning (right when lines open) or mid-afternoon (around 2-3 PM) sometimes has shorter wait times. But honestly, it's still difficult regardless of timing. The callback feature works when available, but it fills up quickly each day.
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CosmicCommander
UPDATE: I wanted to let everyone know what worked! I tried several of the suggestions here. The Ombuds office took my info but said it could be 5-7 business days before they could look into it. I also contacted my state rep's office yesterday morning with all the details about facing eviction. THIS WORKED!! I got a call this afternoon from an ESD supervisor who said my case was expedited after the legislative inquiry. Apparently there was a simple question about my last employer that was holding everything up. She processed my adjudication on the spot, and my account now shows the payments as pending! THANK YOU all so much for the advice - especially about contacting my state representative. You literally saved me from eviction. I'm going to cry from relief.
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StarSeeker
•That's fantastic news! So glad it worked out for you quickly. The legislative route is often the most effective for exactly this reason - they have established channels with ESD's leadership team. Congratulations!
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•Really happy to hear this worked out for you! Thanks for coming back to update us - it's helpful for others in similar situations to know what worked.
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