Update us on what happens! I'm in a similar situation and curious to hear how the payment plan setup goes for you.

I went through a Washington ESD overpayment situation last year and here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: First, don't stress too much - they're usually willing to work with you on payment plans. Second, definitely log into your SecureAccess Washington account first to see the details and payment options before calling. Third, if you do need to call, try doing it first thing in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) when the phone lines open - you'll have better luck getting through. I was able to set up a $75/month payment plan with no issues, and they didn't charge any setup fees. The key is being proactive about it rather than waiting. Good luck!

wait dont u have to do 3 job search activities each week now? did u forget to log those maybe? that got me flagged once

Just want to add one important piece of advice - document EVERYTHING. Keep a log of all your calls, messages, and attempts to contact ESD. Note dates, times, and any reference numbers. If you do manage to speak with someone, write down their name and what they told you. If this drags on and you need to escalate to the unemployment law judge or request a hearing, having detailed documentation will significantly help your case. I went through a similar situation last year and my meticulous notes were crucial when I finally got a hearing. Also, check if there are any documents in your eServices account that need your response. Sometimes ESD sends questionnaires that trigger adjudication until they're completed, but the notification can be easy to miss.

Just want to echo what others have said about keeping documentation - I went through this process a few months ago and having everything organized saved me so much stress. One thing I'd add is to also write down the name of whoever you speak with during the phone interview and ask for a reference number for the call. Sometimes there are follow-up questions or they need additional documents, and having that info makes it way easier to reference your case when you call back. Also, don't be surprised if the interview runs longer than expected - mine was scheduled for 15 minutes but ended up being almost 45 minutes because they had to verify employment details with multiple previous employers. Good luck with your interview on Tuesday!

Hey! I'm dealing with something similar right now - got my adjudication letter yesterday and was panicking about not seeing the questions online. Reading through all these responses has been SO helpful! I didn't realize the questions might come via email instead of showing up directly in eServices. Just checked my spam folder and sure enough, there's an email from ESD that I completely missed. You all probably saved me from missing my deadline! Quick question though - for those who've been through this process, is there usually a specific deadline mentioned for completing the online questions, or do you just need to finish them before your phone interview? My letter is pretty vague about timing.

Final thought - if you ever need to speak directly with Washington ESD about your specific benefit calculation or have complex questions, remember that Claimyr service I mentioned can save you hours of phone frustration. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get clear answers.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation - just got approved and seeing $289 as my weekly benefit amount. One thing I wanted to add for anyone reading is that Washington ESD also has different payment methods available. You can get benefits through direct deposit, the ReliaCard debit card, or even paper checks (though that takes longer). I set up direct deposit and usually get my payment within 1-2 business days after filing my weekly claim. Just make sure to file your weekly claim every week even if you worked some hours - the system will calculate the partial benefits for you automatically based on what you report.

UPDATE: The money just hit my Chase account this morning at 2:47 AM! Looks like it takes about 1 business day after showing as 'paid' in the ESD system. Thanks everyone for your help and sharing your experiences!

Awesome to hear it worked out! For anyone else reading this thread, Sofia's experience is pretty typical - first payment usually takes 1-2 business days after showing "paid" status. Chase tends to post ESD deposits in the early morning hours (usually between 2-4 AM) on business days. Good to know for future reference!