Regarding your weekly claim, here's what you should do: 1. Answer "No" to the question about refusing work 2. In your work search log, do NOT include this interaction as one of your job search activities (it wasn't legitimate) 3. Keep detailed notes about this interaction separate from your claim, just in case you need to explain later 4. Continue your regular job search activities as required by ESD The key thing to understand is that ESD's "suitable work" definition includes legitimacy of the offer. A scam is not a legitimate offer and thus cannot be "suitable work" by definition. If you're particularly concerned, you can always add a note in the comments section of your weekly claim explaining that you encountered what appeared to be fraudulent recruitment activity but are continuing your legitimate job search.

One more thing I forgot to mention - you should check your credit reports right away if you shared any personal information with these scammers. Even confirming your full name, address, or that you're a US citizen could be used for identity theft. You can get free weekly credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com, and it might be worth putting a fraud alert on your credit file as a precaution.

Based on current ESD processing timelines, here's what you should expect with overpayment waivers: * Acknowledgment letter: 1-2 weeks after submission * Initial review: 10-12 weeks after submission * Final determination: 16-20 weeks after submission The best strategy while waiting is to: 1. Request a hold on collections actions while your waiver is pending 2. Check your online correspondence folder at least weekly 3. If you approach the 20-week mark, that's when you should escalate by contacting your state representative In most cases, reaching out earlier won't expedite the process as they review applications in the order received. However, if you're facing imminent wage garnishment or tax intercept, that's considered a hardship case that can be prioritized.

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I submitted my overpayment waiver back in August for $4,100 and I'm still waiting. Reading everyone's experiences gives me hope that I should hear something soon since I'm approaching the 16-week mark. I did get an acknowledgment letter, so at least I know it's in the system. Has anyone had success with requesting that collections hold while the waiver is pending? I'm worried about them starting garnishment before my waiver gets processed. Also planning to try that direct collections number tomorrow - thanks for sharing that resource!

Update on waiver processing: As of last month, ESD is prioritizing waivers where claimants have received collection notices or where financial hardship is severe. It might help to update your waiver application through your ESD account messaging - explain your current situation and that you're receiving collection threats. For everyone in this thread, be aware that there's also an enhanced hardship waiver option now that has different criteria than the standard waiver. If your standard waiver is denied, you may still qualify for the hardship version.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful information! I finally got through to ESD today (used that Claimyr service someone mentioned - it actually worked!). The agent confirmed my waiver is still being processed and put a temporary hold on collection activities for 30 days. They said current processing times are 10-12 weeks for waivers, so I probably have at least another month to wait. But at least I know it's in their system and I won't have wages garnished while waiting. I'll update this thread when I finally get a decision. Fingers crossed they approve it - there's absolutely no way I can repay $4,750 with my current financial situation.

I've been claiming UI benefits for about 8 months now and wanted to share what I've observed about payment timing. The Sunday-to-Tuesday pattern is definitely the norm, but I've noticed a few other factors that can affect when you actually see the money: 1. Your bank's cut-off times matter - some banks process ACH deposits in the morning vs afternoon, so even if ESD sends it Tuesday, you might not see it until Wednesday 2. If there are any federal holidays during the week, everything gets pushed back a day 3. I've had a couple times where ESD's system had "maintenance issues" that delayed processing by 24 hours Since you mentioned your bills are due on the 5th, I'd definitely have a backup plan ready. Maybe contact your creditors ahead of time to let them know about potential timing issues? Most companies are understanding about unemployment payment delays if you communicate proactively. Good luck with your claim!

Been claiming for about a year now and can confirm most of what everyone else is saying - Sunday filing usually means Tuesday payment. But here's something I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you're on partial unemployment (working reduced hours), the payment timing can be a bit different. ESD has to verify your reported earnings against employer records, which sometimes adds an extra day to processing. Also, I'd recommend downloading the ESD mobile app if you haven't already - it sends push notifications when your payment is processed, which is way more reliable than waiting for emails. The notifications usually come Monday evening if everything is on track for Tuesday deposit.

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I'm definitely going to fill out the form and send it in before the deadline. I'll also make a copy for my records just in case. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge - this was stressing me out!

Just wanted to add my experience - I received this same letter a few weeks ago and called ESD directly to ask about it. The representative confirmed that these are being sent to everyone who received pandemic-era benefits as a precautionary measure. She explained that the federal government is requiring states to do a comprehensive review of all PUA, PEUC, and FPUC payments from 2020-2021, and rather than wait for potential overpayments to be identified, they're giving people the chance to request waivers upfront. Even if you think everything was correct with your claim, it's worth submitting the form because the review process might identify issues that weren't caught initially (like documentation requirements that changed during the pandemic). The agent stressed that having a waiver request on file protects you if they do find something later. Takes maybe 15 minutes to fill out and could save you thousands if they determine there was an overpayment.