Washington Unemployment
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ESD won't accept backdated claim - can't enter October week because 'last day worked' is in November
I'm so confused trying to file for unemployment! I only need to claim two weeks - one week in October and one week in November (November 6 week). I took some temp jobs in between. But when I try to file, the system won't let me enter the October week because my 'last day worked' is showing as November 20 (today). The system keeps rejecting dates earlier than my last day worked. Does anyone know how to claim for non-consecutive weeks like this? I worked sporadic temp jobs and only need UI for specific weeks when I had no work. Do I need to file separate claims? Call ESD directly? The instructions online are super unclear for situations like mine. I don't want to mess this up and lose benefits for those weeks I really needed coverage!
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How to report ESD overpayment repayments on 2025 tax return?
So I received an overpayment notice from ESD back in August because they determined I wasn't eligible for some benefits I received. I ended up paying back $4,780 in October. Now I'm trying to figure out how to handle this on my tax return. I already paid taxes on those unemployment benefits when I received them (on last year's return), but now I've given the money back. Do I just report this as a deduction somewhere? Or am I supposed to file an amended return for last year? The ESD website doesn't have clear info about this tax situation. Has anyone dealt with this before? The IRS instructions are confusing me...
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Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I'm going to gather my documentation and see if taking the itemized deduction or the tax credit makes more sense in my situation. Might talk to a tax professional too just to make sure I'm doing it right. I'll update here if I learn anything useful that might help others in the same boat.
That's smart! One more tip: if you use tax software, look for options about "repayments" or "claim of right" specifically. Sometimes these options are buried in interview questions about "uncommon tax situations" or similar categories. And yes, please update us on what you learn - this is a common issue that many people struggle with.
First-time seasonal worker in adjudication - will ESD backpay and how long will it take?
I just got laid off from my seasonal job at a garden center on October 15th and filed for unemployment on November 22nd (took me forever because I kept having website errors). My application was approved and I completed my first weekly claim which showed as my "waiting week" - all good so far. But now my second weekly claim shows "adjudication in progress" and I'm freaking out a bit. Does adjudication really take 9 weeks like some posts say?? I've already burned through most of my savings in the last month since I couldn't submit my application right away because of those stupid technical glitches. Two questions I really need answers for: 1) Is there ANY way to speed up this adjudication process? 2) Will I eventually get paid for all these weeks I'm filing claims during adjudication if I'm approved? This is my first time on unemployment and I'm getting really worried about rent coming due. Any advice would be so appreciated!
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I just checked my eServices and noticed there's actually a questionnaire that was added yesterday! Thanks for mentioning that - I wouldn't have thought to look. Filling it out right now and hoping that helps move things along. Still worried about the timeline but at least I know what to expect now. Thanks everyone for the advice!
Hang in there. I remember when I first applied for unemployment after losing my restaurant job it was SO confusing. Just remember to keep filing those weekly claims no matter what. My cousin forgot to file for two weeks during his adjudication period and he never got paid for those weeks even though his claim was eventually approved. The system is super strict about that weekly filing requirement.
ESD payments stuck in 'pending' status for weeks - impossible to reach anyone!
I'm getting really frustrated on behalf of my husband who's been dealing with ESD payment issues for months now. He finally got back to work last week (thank goodness), but he's still missing around $2,100 in unemployment payments that are just sitting in 'pending' limbo. It's been 6+ weeks with no explanation! He's called literally EVERY day, multiple times, and either gets disconnected or can't get through the queue. What gets me is when he accidentally received an extra $135 last year, ESD was super quick to send THREE notices demanding repayment within 30 days. But now when they owe him money? Crickets. If he hadn't found work, we would've lost our apartment by now. Has anyone else noticed ESD completely ignoring pending payments lately? Is there ANY way to actually talk to a human being there? I feel like we're just shouting into the void.
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Based on everything you've described, this sounds like what's called an "adjudication hold" without proper notification. Some claims get randomly selected for additional verification, and yours might be one of them. Unfortunately, the only real solution is making contact with an ESD claims specialist. I'd recommend a multi-pronged approach: 1. Continue attempting to call ESD directly 2. Contact your state representative as suggested above 3. Send a secure message through the eServices portal (they're supposed to respond within 5-7 business days) 4. If your husband's employer has an HR department, ask if they can help by verifying any information ESD might need For the phone approach, try calling the main line at exactly 7:00am, and if that doesn't work, try around 4:30pm. Some people have had success with the technical support line and then asking to be transferred to claims. Once he gets through, make sure to request retroactive payment for all weeks in pending status. They should process everything at once once the hold is lifted.
This is incredibly helpful, thank you. He's tried the secure messages (sent 4 over the past month) with no response. We'll try the HR approach - that's a great idea we hadn't thought of. And we'll keep trying the phones at the times you suggested.
Just wanted to follow up - did your husband have any luck with the state rep approach? My sister used Claimyr (the service I mentioned before) because she tried calling for weeks and couldn't get through. The regular phone method just seems impossible right now with how backed up ESD is. Whatever works though! I hope he gets his money soon.
We've contacted our state rep but haven't heard back yet (it's been 2 days). I think he might try that Claimyr service as a backup plan if we don't hear from the rep's office by Monday. At this point, he just wants this resolved so we can move on! I'll update here if either method works.
WA ESD payment timeline - normal to wait 6+ weeks for first UI payment?
Just filed my first unemployment claim after getting laid off from my bookkeeping job last month. I've submitted two weekly claims so far, but haven't received a single payment yet. My status just says 'pending' and I'm starting to stress out about bills. I'm hearing from friends that waiting 6+ weeks for your first payment is now normal with ESD? Is that really true? I was counting on this money a lot sooner. Anyone have recent experience with how long it takes to actually get paid once you've been approved? My savings aren't going to last much longer and I'm getting worried.
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Based on everything you've shared, it sounds like your claim is almost certainly in adjudication due to the severance payment. Here's what I recommend: 1. Continue filing your weekly claims on time, even if you're not getting paid yet 2. Document all your job search activities meticulously 3. Try calling ESD at the moment they open (typically 8:00 AM) as that's when you have the best chance of getting through 4. If you can't reach them by phone after several attempts, consider sending a secure message through your online account specifically asking about the severance review status The good news is that once they resolve the adjudication, you should receive all back payments for the weeks you've claimed, assuming you're found eligible. The waiting is definitely stressful, but stay proactive about following up.
Thank you so much for this detailed advice. I'll definitely try calling right when they open tomorrow. And I've been keeping detailed records of all my job search activities just to be safe. It's reassuring to know I'll eventually get the back payments if everything checks out. The uncertainty is almost worse than the waiting!
when i filed back in november it took almost 9 weeks to get paid!!! i called like 50 times and either got busy signals or was on hold for hours just to get disconnected. the whole system is a joke. but at least when they finally paid me they gave me everything backpaid so i wasn't completely screwed. just completely stressed out for 2 months lol
THIS!!! The system seems DESIGNED to make people give up. They hope you'll just find a job before they have to pay you. My cousin works for DSHS and says ESD is deliberately understaffed. It's disgusting how they treat people who are already struggling!
Freya Pedersen
my cousin had this exact same problem and ESD ended up denying his backpay for weeks that were more than a month old even though he had a really good reason for not filing earlier. the whole system is designed to deny benefits!!! they make everything so complicated on purpose!!!
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Javier Mendoza
While I understand your frustration, that's not entirely accurate. The system does have limitations, but it's not designed specifically to deny benefits. The time limits exist primarily to ensure accurate reporting and prevent fraud. The 4-week standard can be extended if there's good cause, as another poster mentioned. Each case is evaluated individually based on the specific circumstances.
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Omar Hassan
One thing nobody has mentioned yet - when you file for that November week, make sure you report ALL work and earnings accurately, including the temp work you did between October and November. If your earnings for any week exceed your weekly benefit amount, you won't receive benefits for that week, but you still need to report it all correctly. Also, depending on how long you worked at those temp jobs and how much you earned, it might affect your benefit year or weekly benefit amount. The system recalculates based on recent work history. Good luck with your claim! Let us know how it turns out.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
AuthorThanks for this advice! I definitely planned to report all my temp work earnings. I'm just hoping I can still get benefits for those specific weeks when I had zero income. I'll update once I get through to ESD.
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