


Ask the community...
Update us on how your claim goes! I'm always curious to hear how smooth the Washington ESD process is for different people.
I went through this exact same worry when I lost my job last year! The anxiety about immigration consequences really got to me, but everyone here is absolutely right - unemployment insurance is completely separate from public charge considerations. The fact that you've been paying into the system through your payroll taxes means you've literally earned these benefits. I ended up filing my Washington ESD claim and had no issues whatsoever. The hardest part was actually getting through their phone system, but the online application worked fine for me. Don't let the fear keep you from getting the financial support you need while job hunting!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's really helpful to hear from someone who went through the exact same situation. I was definitely letting the anxiety get the better of me. Did you have any issues with the weekly claim certifications or job search requirements once you got started with Washington ESD?
If you don't address an overpayment, ESD has several collection methods they can use: - Garnish up to 25% of your wages - Intercept state and federal tax refunds - Add interest and collection fees (12% per year) - Place liens on property - Pursue collections for up to 10 years It's always better to request a waiver, appeal, or set up a payment plan - even a very small one - to avoid these consequences. Even $5-10 per month payments will often prevent more aggressive collection actions.
I'm in a similar situation but with a smaller amount ($3,200). Got my notice in January and have been putting off dealing with it because I'm terrified. Reading through all these responses is actually giving me hope that there might still be options. I was definitely eligible when I applied - lost my job at a hotel during the lockdowns and genuinely needed the help. Now they're saying something about "incorrect wage base period" which makes no sense to me. Has anyone here had success with overpayments related to wage base period issues specifically? I'm going to start the waiver process this week but want to know if this type of issue is even waiverable. Also, for those who got approved - how long did the whole process take from start to finish? I'm trying to plan financially in case this drags on for months. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences here. It's scary going through this alone and not knowing what to expect.
One thing to watch out for - if you win a wrongful termination lawsuit later, ESD might come back and say you owe some benefits back if you receive lost wages as part of your settlement/judgment. It's not always the case, but worth keeping in mind so you're not surprised.
Congratulations on your win! That's such a relief after 6 weeks of stress. I'm going through something similar right now - my former employer is claiming I was fired for "performance issues" but I have evidence showing it was really retaliation for filing a workplace discrimination complaint. Your case gives me hope since you had solid documentation (those timestamped texts were smart!). I've been collecting everything I can find - emails, witness contact info, even security footage requests. Quick question - did you represent yourself during the ESD process or did you get help from anyone? I'm worried about messing up my case since I've never done this before. The whole adjudication process seems so formal and intimidating. Also totally agree with others about consulting an employment attorney ASAP. The statute of limitations clock is ticking and you want to strike while the evidence is fresh. Best of luck with whatever you decide!
Congrats on getting your first payment sorted out! This is exactly why this community is so valuable - ESD's confusing terminology has stressed out so many people unnecessarily. For future reference, you can also check the "Payment History" section of your eServices account to see a clearer breakdown of what each week's status means. And don't forget to keep track of your job search activities in a spreadsheet or document - it makes the weekly filing process much faster once you get into the routine!
Thanks for the tip about the Payment History section! I hadn't noticed that before. And yes, I've already started keeping a spreadsheet with my job search activities - learned that lesson from reading other posts here. It's amazing how much clearer everything becomes once you get through that first confusing week. This community really is a lifesaver for navigating ESD's system!
So glad you got it figured out! This is such a common confusion point for new claimants. Just wanted to add - if anyone else reading this is in a similar situation, another way to confirm everything is working properly is to look for the "weekly benefit amount" listed in your claim summary. As long as that shows a dollar amount (not $0), your claim is approved and the "disqualified" waiting week status is just the system's weird way of saying "unpaid waiting period." Keep filing consistently and you should see payments start flowing after that first week!
Quinn Herbert
Update: I just got a letter from OAH with my appeal date! It's scheduled for July 12th, so about 5 weeks from when I filed the appeal. Now I'm super nervous and trying to gather all my documentation. Really appreciate all the advice everyone has shared - I feel much more prepared now. I'm still filing my weekly claims and doing job searches as recommended. Fingers crossed this works out.
0 coins
Geoff Richards
•Great news! Make copies of all your documents for the hearing, and try to submit them to OAH in advance if possible. Also, prepare a brief opening statement (2-3 minutes) that clearly explains your situation. Practice it a few times so you don't ramble during the hearing. Good luck!
0 coins
Miguel Ortiz
•That's awesome that you got your hearing date! July 12th will be here before you know it. One tip I wish someone had told me - during the hearing, if the judge asks you a question and you need a moment to think or look through your documents, just say "Your Honor, may I have a moment to review my notes?" They're totally fine with that. Don't feel pressured to answer immediately if you need to get your facts straight. You've got this!
0 coins
Ava Harris
Just wanted to add something that really helped me during my appeal - when documenting your case, don't just focus on what changed about your job duties. Also document how these changes affected your ability to do your work successfully. For example, if they suddenly required sales skills you didn't have, note that in your timeline. The judge wants to see that the changes made it unreasonable for you to continue in the position. Also, if you have any written communication where you tried to discuss these concerns with management before quitting, that's gold. It shows you made good faith efforts to resolve the situation first. One more thing - when you get your hearing notice, it should include instructions on how to submit documents in advance. Do this if possible! It makes the hearing go much smoother when everyone has the paperwork already.
0 coins