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This whole thread is making me realize how broken Washington ESD's overpayment system is. We shouldn't have to jump through hoops just to see our account balance.
Agreed. Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'm going to try the Claimyr service and see if I can get through to someone who can actually help.
I work in debt collection and deal with state agencies regularly. Washington ESD's overpayment system is notoriously difficult to navigate. Here's what I'd recommend: 1) Log into your SecureAccess account and look under "Account Information" or "Claims" - sometimes the balance is buried in subsections. 2) Check your bank statements for payment confirmations that might include balance info. 3) If all else fails, send a written request for an account statement to Washington ESD - they're required to provide this information. Keep records of everything, and don't rely solely on their online system since it's known to have delays and display issues.
This is really helpful advice! I especially like the suggestion about sending a written request - I hadn't thought of that option. Do you know if there's a specific address or form I need to use for requesting an account statement from Washington ESD? Also, about how long do they typically take to respond to written requests?
Just to summarize for anyone skimming - in Washington, unemployment tax applies to most wages up to $68,500 per year in 2025. This includes regular pay, overtime, bonuses, commissions, and tips. Main exemptions are business expense reimbursements and certain benefits. If your employer made mistakes, Washington ESD can correct the records.
This is such an important topic! I went through something similar when I switched jobs last year. One thing I learned is that you should keep your own records of all your wages - pay stubs, direct deposit records, etc. Don't just rely on what your employer reports to Washington ESD. When I had to file a claim, having my own documentation made it much easier to spot discrepancies and get them corrected. Also, if you're part-time like the OP mentioned, make sure your employer is consistently reporting all your hours and wages, not just the regular ones.
This is really solid advice! I learned this the hard way when my employer was inconsistent about reporting my commission payments. Having my own records saved me when I had to prove what I actually earned. For anyone dealing with variable income like tips or commission, definitely keep detailed records - it makes a huge difference if you need to file a claim later.
This has been super educational. I had no idea you could collect UI while getting severance. Definitely going to file my claim now instead of waiting.
Just wanted to add my experience - I was in a similar situation with 8 weeks of severance from a tech layoff. Filed for unemployment right away and it was the right call. Even though some weeks my UI benefit was reduced to almost nothing due to the severance amount, I still got partial benefits and stayed active in the system. The Washington ESD online portal makes it pretty straightforward to report your severance each week when you file your weekly claim. Don't overthink it - just be honest about what you're receiving and when you receive it. The system will calculate everything automatically.
Just wanted to add that you also need to keep track of your job search activities even while working part-time. Don't skip the work search requirements just because you have some income coming in.
Just want to emphasize how important it is to report your part-time earnings correctly from the very beginning. When you file your weekly claims, make sure to report the gross amount you earned for the week you actually worked (not when you received payment). Washington ESD's system will automatically calculate your partial benefit using their formula. I've seen people get confused about reporting timing, but it's always based on when you performed the work. Also keep all your pay stubs and records - you might need them later if ESD has any questions about your reported earnings.
Daniel Rogers
Just an FYI - ESD recently completed a large audit of 2023 claims to ensure compliance with federal guidelines. Several people I know received retroactive payments as a result. Check if you had any pending issues or appeals from your previous claim that might have been resolved in your favor. If you can't reach ESD by phone, try emailing them through your eServices secure message center with specific details about the payment. They usually respond within 3-5 business days.
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Ezra Collins
•Oh that's really helpful context! I did have some confusion about my job search requirements back then, but I thought it was all resolved. I'll try the secure message option too - hadn't thought of that.
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Royal_GM_Mark
I had something similar happen to me about 6 months ago! Got a random $1,200 deposit from ESD and was totally confused since I hadn't claimed in over a year. Turned out it was legit - they had done an audit of my 2023 claim and found that I was actually entitled to additional benefits due to some wage calculation error on their end. The determination letter showed up in my eServices account about a week AFTER the deposit, which was weird timing. My advice would be to check your eServices daily for the next week or two, and if no explanation appears, definitely contact them. But don't panic - in my case it was actually money I was owed!
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