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Anyone know if having a PIp (performance improvement plan) hurts your case? I was put on one 2 weeks before being let go but wasnt given the full time to improve that was promised in the Plan. Thinking of applying for UI but worried this looks bad?
FINAL UPDATE: My claim was APPROVED! Had my fact-finding interview and the adjudicator said that since I didn't have any written warnings and could show the sales targets kept changing, it wasn't considered misconduct. The interviewer also mentioned they could tell I was making an effort to meet the goals. Benefits were deposited yesterday including back pay for the waiting period. Thanks everyone for your help!
Has anyone tried requesting a waiver? I saw something about 'equity and good conscience' waivers on their website but wasn't sure if those actually get approved.
Equity and good conscience waivers can be approved, but they're not automatic. You need to demonstrate both that the overpayment wasn't your fault AND that repayment would cause significant financial hardship. Document your current expenses, income, and any extenuating circumstances like medical bills or other unexpected costs. About 40% of these waivers get approved when properly documented.
UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. The agent confirmed there was a system update that affected waiting week assignments. She put in a request to have my case reviewed by an adjudicator and put a temporary hold on the overpayment collection while they review it. She said I should still file a formal appeal through my online account to protect my appeal rights, but that many of these are being resolved through their internal review process. Fingers crossed!
That's awesome you got through! For anyone else reading this thread in the future - if you're struggling to reach ESD after multiple attempts, Claimyr really can save you hours of frustration. Unemployment is stressful enough without the added hassle of trying to reach someone.
Great news on getting through! Just an FYI for everyone: ESD has actually added more verification staff in 2025, so the backlog is slowly improving. Current average processing time is down to about 3 weeks from 6+ weeks last year. Still not ideal, but progress. Make sure to check your ESD secure message center daily once you've resubmitted documents - sometimes they'll send requests for additional information there.
FINAL UPDATE: All fixed! Took exactly 8 business days after speaking with the agent, but my ID verification is complete and all my pending weeks switched to paid status yesterday. Money hit my account this morning. If anyone else is stuck in ID verification, definitely keep calling until you can speak to someone who can check your specific documents!
ESD has been severely understaffed since the post-pandemic budget cuts in 2024. Their phone system is designed to manage call volume by disconnecting callers when all available agents are busy and queue times exceed 45 minutes. This is frustrating but actually more efficient than keeping people on hold for hours. Your best options are: 1. Call on Wednesday or Thursday between 8:00-8:30am or 3:30-4:00pm (avoid Mondays and Fridays completely) 2. Use the eServices message center for all issues that don't require immediate attention 3. Visit a WorkSource office in person if you have one nearby - they can sometimes help with basic claim issues or at least use their direct lines to connect you 4. Contact your state representative's office if your situation is dire (about to lose housing, utilities being cut off, etc.) - they have caseworkers who can escalate ESD issues ESD's current average response time for adjudication is 4-6 weeks, so unfortunately your 3-week wait is still within normal processing times.
Yes! I eventually got through using a combination of approaches. I tried calling at 8:17am like someone suggested, but that didn't work. Then I visited the WorkSource office like another person recommended, and while they couldn't fix my specific issue, they gave me a direct number to call and a good time to try. I finally got through to someone yesterday and they resolved my adjudication issue in about 10 minutes. Turns out there was just a missing document they needed. Benefits should be coming this week - such a relief!
Dmitry Ivanov
I'm dealing with something similar right now. The waiver paperwork is pretty extensive - took me nearly a week to gather everything they asked for (bank statements, bills, pay stubs, etc). Whatever you decide, start collecting all your financial documents NOW so you're ready. Also important: if you withdraw your appeal to apply for a waiver, get confirmation IN WRITING that your waiver application will be processed. I've heard horror stories of people withdrawing appeals based on verbal promises that weren't kept.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•That's great advice about getting it in writing! I wouldn't have thought of that. Did you use a specific ESD form to document your financial hardship or did you just send in whatever documents you had? I'm wondering if there's a standard format they prefer.
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Amara Okonkwo
After reading through all these comments, I'd suggest one more thing: check if you qualify for free legal help through the Unemployment Law Project (unemploymentlawproject.org). They can give you personalized advice about your specific situation and might be able to help navigate this appeal vs. waiver dilemma. Also, document EVERYTHING. Keep records of all communications with ESD, take screenshots of your eServices account, and save copies of all documents you submit. If you speak with someone on the phone, write down their name, ID number, date, time, and what they told you. The system is complex and contradictory at times, so having detailed records can make a huge difference if there are disputes later.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•Thank you so much for this recommendation! I just checked their website and it looks like I'd qualify for their services based on my income. I'll reach out to them tomorrow. I've been keeping pretty good records so far, but I'll be even more diligent going forward. I really appreciate everyone's help with this stressful situation!
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