
Washington Unemployment
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I finally got through to ESD yesterday after trying for almost 2 weeks straight. The agent said my claim needed review and scheduled a callback with a specialist for today between 8am-12pm. It's now 2:30pm and I haven't received any call. My phone has been on me the whole time, good reception, and I've been checking to make sure I didn't miss anything. Is this normal for ESD to miss their scheduled callback windows? Should I try calling again or will that mess up my place in their system? Really stressed because my claim has been stuck in adjudication for almost 5 weeks now and rent is coming up.
So I got disqualified from my unemployment benefits last week after 3 months of waiting in adjudication. ESD is claiming I quit without good cause, but I was actually forced to resign after they cut my hours to almost nothing (from 40 to 8 hours/week). I tried to explain this during my fact-finding interview but the adjudicator didn't seem to understand that constructive dismissal is a thing. I'm planning to appeal the decision since I have 30 days to do it, but I think I need a lawyer who specializes in ESD/unemployment cases. Has anyone gone through an appeal with an attorney? Any recommendations for someone who won't charge a fortune? I'm in the Tacoma area but willing to work with someone remotely if needed. This is about $14,500 in benefits I'm entitled to, so it's worth fighting for.
Have you checked with your local WorkSource office? Sometimes they have free legal clinics or can refer you to pro bono attorneys who help with unemployment cases. Also, make sure to request all your claim records through a Privacy Act request before your hearing so you know exactly what your employer said about your separation.
I didn't know WorkSource might have those resources! I'll definitely check with them. And great tip about requesting the records - I had no idea I could do that. Do I just call ESD to request them or is there a form somewhere?
One more thing - when you have your hearing, the judge will ask both you and your former employer questions. Let your employer speak first and take notes on what they say. Often they'll contradict themselves or admit to things that actually help your case. Stay calm and stick to facts even if they say things that aren't true. The judge cares about documentation more than emotional arguments.
I'm having trouble with my ESD claim because they sent me an alert saying they need additional documents to verify my identity and work history. The problem is I'm terrible with technology and don't trust myself to scan and upload things correctly through their website. I don't want my claim to be denied just because I messed up the uploading process. Is there a physical office in Tacoma where I can just hand-deliver the documents they're asking for? I'd feel so much better knowing a real person received my paperwork. Does anyone know if this is possible and where the office would be? Thanks in advance for any help!
my cusin works at the unemployment office and she says lots of people have truble with the website so dont feel bad!! but she says the fax number is (800) 301-1796 if u want to fax ur stuff instead of uploading it. the library can help with faxing if u dont have a fax machine
That fax number looks correct, but just to clarify for everyone - that's for regular unemployment documents. If you're dealing with an overpayment issue or appeal, there are different fax numbers for those departments. Always double-check the letter they sent you for the correct fax number for your specific situation.
I understand your technology concerns! If you do end up trying to upload, here's a step-by-step guide: 1. Log into your eServices account 2. Click on "Upload a Document" under the Quick Links section 3. Select document type from the dropdown menu 4. Click "Browse" to find the file on your computer 5. Click "Upload" A helpful tip: The Tacoma Public Library offers free scanning services if you need to convert paper documents to digital files. They can help walk you through the process too. But the WorkSource center others mentioned is probably your best option for in-person assistance with the whole process.
After fighting with ESD for over 2 years, they suddenly forgave my entire overpayment balance of almost $14,000! Most of it was interest that kept piling up. I had almost given up hope and was just ignoring those awful monthly notices showing the amount getting bigger and bigger. Then today, I logged in to check something else and... BOOM... balance shows $0! No explanation, no letter, nothing. Just... gone! Has this happened to anyone else? I'm thrilled but also confused - should I be worried they'll change their mind? Anyone know why ESD would suddenly forgive an overpayment without telling me?
For anyone dealing with overpayment issues, here are some important steps to follow: 1. Always appeal within the 30-day deadline if you disagree with an overpayment determination 2. Request a hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) if your reconsideration is denied 3. Document everything - save screenshots of all submissions and communications 4. Submit any evidence of your eligibility through eServices and by fax (yes, they still use fax) 5. If your appeal is denied, you can request a payment plan or hardship waiver I've helped dozens of people through this process, and persistence is key. Even after a denial, ESD periodically reviews cases, especially when policies change. In 2025, they've been more generous with forgiving older overpayments, particularly those related to work search requirements or employer-reported earnings discrepancies.
do you know if theres a specific form for the hardship waiver? i looked everywhere on the website and cant find it
Yes, it's called the "Overpayment Waiver Application" and you can request it by messaging through eServices or by calling. It's not available for download on the website for some reason. You'll need to document your finances thoroughly - income, expenses, assets, etc. They typically only approve these in cases of significant financial hardship.
I recommend checking your mail carefully for the next few weeks. In my experience, ESD often sends the official forgiveness letter several days (or even weeks) after they've already zeroed out the balance in their system. The letter should explain their reasoning and confirm that the matter is closed. This is an important document to keep for your records.
I'm freaking out right now. Just got a notice from ESD saying my claim is in adjudication because they think I worked for some company called Northwest Solutions in 2025. I have NEVER worked there! The notice says they've stopped my payments during this process but didn't give me ANY steps on how to dispute this. Has anyone dealt with ESD claiming you worked somewhere you didn't? How long does this fake employer adjudication take? My rent is due next week and I was counting on this payment. I've tried calling ESD like 30 times today but can't get through to a real person. What should I do??
just curious whats the company they say u worked for? my cousin had this happen with some place called evergreen staffing and it turned out they mixed up ssn's with someone with similar name
Update us on what happens! Your case sounds resolvable but you need to be persistent. Document everything - dates you called, documents you submitted, etc. This will be helpful if you need to escalate the case later. Most importantly, keep filing your weekly claims even during adjudication so you'll get backpay once it's resolved.
Zoe Kyriakidou
i had a similar thing happen but they actually called me the NEXT day at like 7:30am! nearly missed it cause i wasnt expecting a call that early. maybe they'll surprise you tomorrow morning?
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Mateo Rodriguez
AuthorI hope so! I'll make sure to keep my phone nearby early tomorrow just in case.
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Ethan Wilson
Just a quick update check - did ESD ever call you back? If not, I would definitely recommend calling them again. When claims are in adjudication for 5+ weeks, it sometimes means there's a documentation issue they need from you that might not be clearly marked in your online portal. Make sure to specifically ask if there are any documents or information they're waiting for from you. Sometimes the system doesn't properly notify claimants about pending document requests.
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Mateo Rodriguez
AuthorThey actually called this morning at 8:15am! Four days after the scheduled time. The specialist said there was a question about my work search activities but we got it sorted out. She said my claim should be processed within 5-7 business days. Fingers crossed!
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