One more tip about the appeal hearing - make sure you clearly understand which specific weeks ESD is questioning. Sometimes they'll only contest certain weeks but not others. You should receive documents before the hearing explaining their exact reasoning for the overpayment determination. Read this VERY carefully and prepare your evidence to directly address their specific concerns. Judges appreciate when you're organized and directly addressing the issues at hand rather than making general statements about your eligibility.

Just to add to what others have said - if you do end up having to repay, know that you can negotiate the monthly payment amount based on your financial situation. I ended up with a small overpayment last year ($750) and initially they wanted $150/month, but after I explained my situation, they reduced it to $50/month. Don't agree to a payment you can't afford.

One more thing - after the hearing you'll get a written decision in the mail. If for some reason it doesn't go your way, you have 30 days to appeal to the Commissioner's Review Office. Don't miss that deadline either! But hopefully with all your documentation proving you were laid off, you'll be fine.

my cosuins frend had a hearing last month and said they asked about her job search activities too so make sure u got ur job search log updated before the hearing just incase they ask!

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.

Quick update: The 8am call approach is definitely your best bet. I just spoke with a claims specialist yesterday (using Claimyr to manage the hold time), and they confirmed they're experiencing system issues with the document upload feature right now. Many uploaded documents aren't attaching properly to claims. The specialist advised to bring this up specifically when you get through to someone so they can check their internal system to see if your documents are in there but not properly linked to your account.

Update: I GOT THROUGH!!! Used a combination of calling right at 8am, using the employer menu option, and having Claimyr as backup. It turns out my ID verification was flagged because my address on my new driver's license didn't match my previous tax return address (I moved). They fixed it on the call and said my backpay should process within 3 business days. THANK YOU all so much for your help!

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.