Just wanted to add that it's really important to keep track of your weekly certifications too. I missed filing one week because I was sick and even though I called Washington ESD to explain, they still counted it against my 26 weeks. Make sure you set reminders to file every week on time - usually Sunday through the following Saturday. Missing even one week can mess up your benefit timeline.

I'm in a similar situation - just got laid off from my retail job last month. This thread has been incredibly helpful in understanding the 26-week limit. One thing I'm curious about though - does the weekly benefit amount affect how long you can collect? Like if you get a lower weekly payment, do you get to collect for longer than 26 weeks, or is it always the same duration regardless of the amount? Also, has anyone had experience with the WorkSource training programs mentioned earlier? I'm wondering if participating in job training extends your benefit period at all.

Final thought - if you're really unsure, you can always start with no withholding and then add it later if you want. But it's harder to go the other way if you realize you need the full amount each week.

I went through this exact same decision a few months ago and chose to withhold the 10%. Best decision I made! When tax season came around, I actually got a small refund instead of owing money. The peace of mind was totally worth the slightly smaller weekly payments. Plus, like others mentioned, you can always change it later if your situation changes. Washington ESD makes it pretty easy to update in your online account.

Update us when you find out! I'm curious how this turns out since I'm sure other people have similar worries.

I went through something similar last year and completely understand the anxiety you're feeling. Based on my experience and research, Washington ESD typically has a 3-year statute of limitations for most overpayment issues, though they can extend it to 6 years in certain circumstances. The good news is that if you made honest mistakes rather than intentionally trying to defraud the system, they usually treat it as a simple overpayment rather than fraud. Since it's been 2 years and you haven't heard anything, that's actually a positive sign. Most audits and overpayment determinations happen within the first year after a claim ends. Try checking your online ESD account first - it should show any pending issues or flags on your claim history.

I'm so sorry you're going through this @Daniela Rossi - 12 weeks is absolutely unacceptable! I just went through something similar and finally got resolution after 10 weeks of hell. Here's what ultimately worked for me: 1. Contact your state senator AND representative (not just one) - they have dedicated ESD liaisons who can actually get answers. I emailed both with my timeline and got a response within 24 hours. 2. File a complaint with the Washington State Ombudsman at the same time - having multiple pressure points seems to get better results. 3. When you do get through to ESD, ask specifically for a "tier 2" agent or supervisor. Regular agents often can't access adjudication details, but supervisors can see more information and submit higher-priority requests. 4. If your issue involves employer verification (which is super common), ask the agent to send a "priority employer inquiry" rather than waiting for the standard process. This puts a rush on getting employer responses. The whole system is designed to wear people down and hope they give up - don't let them win! Keep fighting for what you're legally entitled to. Also make sure you're still certifying weekly even though it's frustrating - you'll get all that back pay once this mess is resolved. Sending you strength to keep pushing through this bureaucratic nightmare. You've got this! 💪

I've been lurking in this community for a while and finally decided to create an account after reading your post @Daniela Rossi. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare - 12 weeks is completely unacceptable! I just wanted to add one more resource that helped me when I was stuck in adjudication for 9 weeks last fall: the WorkSource offices sometimes have direct lines to ESD that bypass the main customer service queue. I went to my local WorkSource in person (you can find locations at worksource.wa.gov) and explained my situation to a counselor there. She was able to make a direct call to ESD on my behalf and actually got through to someone who could access my file immediately. The counselor told me this isn't widely advertised because they'd be overwhelmed, but WorkSource staff have special access for helping clients with urgent ESD issues. It might be worth trying if the other suggestions don't work out - sometimes an in-person advocate calling on your behalf carries more weight than individual calls. Really hoping the expedite request works out for you! The fact that they identified the actual issue (employer not responding) is a huge step forward. Keep us posted on how it goes! 🤞

Just checking back in - did you end up getting any official letter from ESD yet? When I talked to the agent, they said letters were going out in batches and some people might not get them for 4-6 weeks after the balance shows as zero in the system.

That's awesome news Dylan! I'm so glad you got confirmation and can finally stop worrying about it. I've been dealing with a similar situation - my PUA overpayment of $2,800 disappeared about a week ago and I've been checking daily to make sure it doesn't come back. Haven't called yet but your experience gives me confidence that it's probably legitimate. Did the ESD rep mention anything about whether these waivers affect your eligibility for future benefits? I'm planning to file a new claim later this year and want to make sure this won't cause any issues.