EVERYONE LISTEN UP! ESD is under pressure from the state auditor to clear up these overpayment issues by the end of the fiscal year (June 30th). That's why they're suddenly approving waivers left and right. If you're going to call about your overpayment, DO IT BEFORE JUNE 30!! After that the new budget cycle starts and they won't be as motivated to clear cases. Speaking from experience working with state agencies!!!

my sister got her overpayment credit about a month after they told her it was approved. it was exactly the same amount as what they originally said she owed. but she said it just appeared in her bank account with no warning or explanation lol. typical esd

One other thing to check: look at your payment history section. If your recent weeks show a status of "pending" or "processing" instead of "paid," that might give you a clue. Sometimes there's a pending issue that doesn't trigger an alert. Also, make sure you've completed all work search requirements - ESD is being much stricter about the 3 job search activities per week in 2025.

" Pending status for three weeks without any alerts is almost always an adjudication issue that'hasn t been properly flagged in the system.'There s likely a question about your eligibility that an ESD adjudicator needs to review, but for some reason,'it s not showing up in your dashboard. This happens quite often with'ESD s system. Unfortunately, the only solution is speaking directly with an agent who can look at the notes on your claim that'aren t visible to you througheServices.

not to go off topic but anyone know if we can deduct job search expenses when on unemployment? i spent a ton on gas driving to interviews last year

Just to clarify for everyone in this thread: the unemployment tax withholding system is pretty simple but often misunderstood. ESD only offers a flat 10% federal withholding option - nothing more nuanced. This is often more than people actually owe on their unemployment benefits when all factors are considered in their tax return. Reason: The U.S. tax system has built-in provisions like the standard deduction ($14,600 for single filers in 2024) and lower tax brackets on initial income. So while 10% is withheld on ALL your unemployment benefits, your effective tax rate might actually be lower when filing. This is why many people receive refunds after filing taxes that include unemployment benefits. It's completely normal and part of how our tax system works.

To clarify a point about reporting: When you file your weekly claim, you'll need to report that your employment ended. When asked why, select the most accurate option available - usually something like "discharged" or "fired" rather than "quit." ESD will then likely send you a questionnaire about the separation or schedule a phone interview. This is where you can explain the full situation with the lack of formal warnings and the context of promised hours that never materialized. For your job search, make sure you're focusing on positions that would be considered "suitable work" based on your skills and experience. The WorkSource training program is excellent - make sure ESD knows you're participating in this, as it demonstrates your commitment to reemployment. If you need immediate assistance with bills while waiting for this to resolve, ask WorkSource about emergency assistance programs that might be available to you.

Thank you all so much for the advice and support. I feel a little less panicked now. I have my weekly claim coming up in 2 days, so I'll report the job ending accurately and be prepared for questions. I'm going to try calling ESD first thing tomorrow, and if I can't get through, I might try that Claimyr service someone mentioned. I really can't afford to wait weeks for a decision without knowing what's happening. I'll also contact my WorkSource advisor tomorrow to see if they can provide any documentation about my participation in the training program that might help my case. I'll update here if I learn anything that might help others in a similar situation!

Just to add some additional clarification since there's some confusion here: 1. WorkSource appointments (phone or in-person) count as job search activities 2. You must record the specific name of the WorkSource staff member you spoke with 3. The system classifies these as "In-person WorkSource workshop or appointment" even for phone calls 4. If the specialist assigns you follow-up activities, those can count separately if they take more than an hour and are properly documented 5. Always keep documentation of all WorkSource interactions for at least 6 months in case of a job search review Source: I work with ESD programs and help people navigate the unemployment system.

my specialist never evn called me last month and i still got in trouble for missing the apointment smh