Washington Unemployment
CommunityGovernment Services
Can't reach Washington Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the ESD
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the ESD drops your call
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
ESD overpayment notice for $4,800 - Appeal worth it or other options?
I just got a notice from ESD saying I was overpaid $4,800 in benefits from November to January. They're claiming I didn't report some part-time income correctly, but I swear I entered everything exactly as it showed on my paystubs each week. I'm completely freaking out because there's no way I can pay this back right now. The letter mentions I can file an appeal, but I'm wondering if that's actually the best way to handle this or if I should try something else first? If appealing is the way to go, what specific evidence should I include with my appeal to have the best chance? Has anyone successfully fought an overpayment notice before? Any advice would be really appreciated.
Join the conversation
ESD shows 'paid' status for backpay but nothing in my bank account yet - normal delay?
Super confused right now. I was approved for unemployment backpay from February through now (about 4 months worth) and my ESD account updated yesterday to show 'paid' status for all those weeks. It's a pretty substantial amount (around $8,700) but nothing is showing up in my bank account yet - not even as pending! My regular weekly payments usually hit my account the next day. Anyone know if there's a different timeline for larger backpay amounts? Starting to worry something went wrong with the deposit info or that it got flagged somehow. How long should I wait before panicking?
Join the conversation
did u check ur spam folder 4 any emails from esd? sometimes they email u if theres a problem with the payment
Just checked all folders including spam - no emails indicating any problems. Just the one confirming the payment was processed. Guess I just need to be patient!
Update us when it arrives! Always helpful to know how long these things actually take. Based on what I've seen in this forum over the past few months, 3-4 business days seems to be the average for backpay amounts over $5000.
I'll definitely post an update once it comes through! Thanks everyone for the reassurance - feeling much better about the situation now.
ESD claim switched from 'pending' to 'processing' - how many days until payment hits?
After what felt like FOREVER my unemployment claim finally changed from 'pending' to 'processing' yesterday morning! I'm honestly getting desperate since rent is due in 5 days and my account is basically empty. Does anyone know how long it typically takes to go from 'processing' to actually getting paid? Will the money be in my account by Friday? I've got direct deposit set up already. This is my first time on unemployment so I have no idea what to expect with the timing. Thanks in advance for any help!
Join the conversation
Just to add some additional context: If your claim has any potential issues (like if you reported partial work, had vacation pay, or if your employer contests anything), it can extend the processing time. But for straightforward claims where everything is verified and there are no discrepancies, the 2-3 business day timeline for processing to paid is generally accurate in my experience. Then add 1-2 days for bank processing. The good news is that seeing it move from pending to processing means the initial verification steps have been completed successfully.
That's reassuring! My case should be pretty straightforward - I was laid off, my employer isn't contesting anything, and I haven't had any income since the layoff. Hoping that means smooth sailing.
hey just wondering did ur money come through yet? im in the same boat (processing since friday) and getting anxious
It just switched to paid this morning! So that was about 2.5 days in processing. Now waiting for it to hit my bank account. Hope yours changes soon too!
thx for update! gives me hope mine will change tomorrow 🤞
Finally got ESD decision after contacting governor's office - timeline & results
After 9 weeks in adjudication hell with zero movement on my claim, I finally broke down and contacted the governor's office about my ESD claim last Thursday. I was desperate after being laid off from my construction management job and burning through savings. Has anybody else gone this route? How long did it take after you contacted them to actually see movement on your claim? I'm wondering what timeline to expect since I haven't heard anything back yet. Getting really anxious about making next month's rent payment if this drags on much longer.
Join the conversation
Quick update to my earlier comment - I just remembered the timeline more clearly. After contacting the governor's office, I got an email response in 2 days saying they'd forwarded my case to their ESD liaison. Then I got a call from an ESD specialist 4 days after that, who told me they were expediting my review. My adjudication was completed and benefits paid 3 days after that call. So about 9 days total from governor contact to resolution.
Thank you for the clarification! That timeline still sounds incredible compared to the silence I've been getting directly from ESD. I'll update here once I hear something - hopefully with good news.
UPDATE: Just got a call this morning from someone at ESD! They said they received my case from the governor's office yesterday and were putting it on priority review. The agent couldn't give me an exact timeline but said they're working to resolve it this week. So it took 6 business days from my governor's office contact to get actual movement. Will post again when I get the final decision!
nice! hope they actually fix it instead of just saying they will
That's great news! Those priority reviews typically move much faster than regular adjudication. Keep us posted on the outcome!
Filed ESD appeal a week ago - no confirmation anywhere in SAW account?
I submitted an appeal to ESD last Wednesday after they denied my benefits (said I voluntarily quit, but I was actually laid off with 5 other people). It's been over a week and I haven't received ANY confirmation that they got my appeal - no email, no letter, nothing. I've looked all through my SAW account and eServices but don't see anything about the appeal status. Am I missing something obvious? Is there some secret place where appeal info shows up? Getting really nervous that they never received it or it's lost in the system somewhere. How long should it take to at least get confirmation they received my appeal?
Join the conversation
While you're waiting for your appeal confirmation, I recommend preparing your evidence. Gather anything that proves you were laid off: termination letter, emails, texts with your boss, contact info for coworkers who were also laid off, etc. The more documentation you have showing it wasn't voluntary, the better your chances. Also write down a timeline of events while it's fresh in your memory.
That's really good advice. I have the official layoff notice and emails from HR about the company restructuring. I also have contact info for 2 of the other employees who were laid off with me. I'll start organizing everything now so I'm prepared when I finally get a hearing date.
I had this exact same sitatuion last quarter!!! Actually what happened was my appeal confirmation got sent to my old address even though I updated everything in the system. Maybe check with your old address if you moved recently? Just a thought.
I haven't moved recently, but that's a good point about mail forwarding issues. I'll double check that all my contact info is updated in the system. Thanks for the suggestion!
Quinn Herbert
Here's what most people miss when appealing overpayments: You need to be VERY specific about which weeks you're disputing. Don't just say "I think the whole thing is wrong." Go through week by week, showing exactly what you reported vs what ESD claims. Also, be super clear about whether you're disputing the fact that there was an overpayment at all, or if you're requesting a waiver based on financial hardship. Those are two totally different processes! If you truly can't afford to pay it back, you can request a waiver even if the overpayment itself was valid.
0 coins
PaulineW
AuthorThis is so helpful, thank you! I hadn't even considered the waiver option. I think I need to fight that there was no overpayment first, but good to know about the waiver as a backup.
0 coins
Jean Claude
Whatever u do, FILE THE APPEAL ASAP!!!! The deadline is super important. You can always withdraw it later if u figure something else out, but u cant file after the deadline!!
0 coins