Regarding your question about the pension - yes, definitely address both issues in your appeal hearing. Start by acknowledging the pension and explaining that you disclosed it from the beginning and understood it would reduce (not eliminate) your benefits. Then move on to the documentation issue as the main reason for the improper denial. Also, check if the denial letter specifies exactly which documents they claim are missing. Sometimes they'll list specific items, which helps you focus your appeal on those particular documents.

I'm going through something very similar right now! ESD denied my claim twice saying they never received my bank statements, even though I have confirmation emails showing successful uploads. What's really helped me is keeping a detailed log of every interaction - dates, times, representative names, and exactly what they told me. One thing that might help while you're waiting for your appeal: contact your local WorkSource office. They have staff who specialize in ESD issues and can sometimes escalate cases directly. The one near me actually called ESD on my behalf and got through to someone with more authority than the regular phone agents. Also, if you haven't already, try uploading your documents in PDF format instead of images. I read somewhere that their system processes PDFs more reliably. Worth a shot while you're preparing for the hearing! Hang in there - you're not alone in this mess. The system is definitely broken but people do eventually get through it.

If anyone else needs to reach Washington ESD and normal calling isn't working, that Claimyr service really does help. I was skeptical at first but it saved me so much frustration.

This has been really helpful! I had no idea there were so many factors affecting Washington's unemployment numbers - from seasonal agriculture work to tech layoffs to regional differences. Makes me feel better that my 2-week claim wait is normal and not a sign that something's wrong. I'll definitely keep that Claimyr option in mind if I need to contact Washington ESD directly. Thanks everyone for breaking down the complexities behind the statistics!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! Sounds like the consensus is to file my weekly claim with work hours and earnings reported, and Washington ESD will handle stopping the benefits automatically. I feel much more confident about doing this correctly now.

Great thread with lots of helpful info! Just to add one more perspective - I went through this same process last year and everything went smoothly. Filed my final weekly claim reporting my new full-time hours and gross pay, got $0 benefit payment for that week (as expected), and my claim automatically went inactive. The key really is just being accurate with your reporting. Washington ESD's system is actually pretty good at handling this transition once you give it the right information. Congratulations on landing the new job - it feels so good to be done with the weekly filing routine!

Make sure to file your weekly claims during this entire process, even while waiting for appeals. I've seen too many people win their appeals but then not get all their back benefits because they stopped filing weekly claims during the appeal period.

Hang in there! I went through something very similar last year - employer contested, lost at ALJ level, then appealed to Commissioner. The whole thing took about 8 months total but I did eventually get all my back benefits. The key thing that helped me was being super persistent about the benefits pending appeal. I had to call ESD multiple times and reference that specific RCW statute before they finally started my payments. Also, when writing your response to their Commissioner appeal, really hammer home the point that they had their chance at the ALJ hearing and chose not to participate. The Commissioner's office doesn't like employers who game the system like this. Document everything and don't let them wear you down - that's exactly what they're hoping for.

One thing to be aware of - if you applied for PFML through your employer, they might have reported information about your work history that conflicts with what you reported to ESD during COVID. The systems do sometimes cross-reference data when new applications come in, which could have triggered this review of your past benefits. It doesn't mean you did anything wrong, but it's likely why this is happening now rather than before. When you appeal, make sure to address any potential discrepancies in reported work hours or income between what your employer might have submitted and what you certified during your unemployment period.

This is a really stressful situation, but you're not alone - many people are dealing with these delayed overpayment notices. The good news is that PFML and ESD unemployment are completely separate programs, so your medical leave benefits should continue while you sort this out. Focus on three immediate steps: 1) Appeal the overpayment within 30 days (you still have time since you got the letter yesterday), 2) Request the overpayment waiver application if you believe you reported everything correctly, and 3) Gather all your documentation from 2020-2021 including pay stubs, work schedules, and your weekly certifications. The timing with your PFML application likely triggered a data cross-check that flagged something - this doesn't mean you did anything wrong. Take it one step at a time and don't let this derail your recovery process.