just a heads up but sometimes backpay comes in separate deposits over a couple days if its for multiple weeks so dont panic if you only see partial payment at first

One more thing to note: If you filed your weekly claims correctly during the adjudication period, the back payments should process automatically now that your claim has been approved. However, if you missed filing any weekly claims during that time, you'll need to contact ESD to request backdating for those weeks. You won't automatically get paid for weeks you didn't file a claim for, even if you were eligible for those weeks.

Quick update on current timelines - I'm a volunteer at WorkSource and we're seeing OAH appeals averaging about 9 weeks total right now (early 2025). That's a bit faster than the 12+ weeks we were seeing last year. Make sure your contact information is current in both your eServices account AND with OAH directly (they're separate systems).

btw did u know u can check ur appeal status online? go to oah.wa.gov and click on "check appeal status" - u need ur case # which should be in the confirmation email u got when u filed the appeal.

wait so does this mean the tax withholding is still being reported correctly on our 1099-Gs for tax purposes? i don't want any issues when i file my taxes next year

I had thsi exact same question last month when i started getting benefits! Asked my friend who works at a bank and she said its nothing to worry about just dumb governmetn labeling. She said intercepts dont show up on your credit report anyway unless they're actual garnishments for things like defaulted student loans or something. Tax withholding definitely doesnt affect your credit either way.

If you're on the edge of qualifying, sometimes it helps to precisely calculate your earnings deduction. The 75% rule means you can earn up to 133% of your weekly benefit amount before benefits zero out completely. In your case, with a $312 weekly benefit, you could earn up to about $416 and still receive some partial benefit. At $420, you're just barely over the threshold. If your hours were reduced even slightly (like 19.75 instead of 20), you might qualify for a small amount.

im confused... if your getting $21 an hour why dont you jus take the job? thats good money

I swear ESD's system is designed to make everything as difficult as possible! Had to change my direct deposit last year and somehow ended up with TWO payments - one to each account! Then they hit me with an overpayment notice six months later. Still fighting it...

Just to follow up on what everyone's saying - I think the key is timing. Don't make any changes to your direct deposit info on the day before or the day of your regular payment processing. The system needs time to update, and if you try to change things while a payment is being processed, that's when problems seem to happen. Good luck!

For tax purposes: If the original benefits were reported on a previous year's taxes, you should check with a tax professional, but generally refunded overpayments should be reported as income in the year you receive them (2025 in your case). However, you might be able to file an amended return for the original year instead. The ESD letter should provide some guidance on this too.

my advice: screenshot EVERYTHING from your eservices account related to this. save the letters. take photos of envelopes. document it ALL. ESD has "lost" my records before and tried to say i owed money i'd already paid. its rare but it happens

i just wanna say the entire esd system is garbage!!! i waited 11 weeks last year only to be denied for something that wasn't even my fault. took another 2 months to get through the appeal process. the whole system is designed to make people give up. dont give up!!!!

One more tip - when you file your appeal, request an in-person hearing if possible rather than phone. The judges tend to be more sympathetic when they can see you, and you can bring all your documentation with you. Also, statistically, claimants win more appeals in person than over the phone. Just based on my experience helping people with ESD appeals.

lol good luck even getting thru to esd! took my brother 5 weeks just to talk to a real person last time.

To answer your follow-up question about the job search verification - ESD typically conducts random audits of job search activities. For each week you claim benefits, you need to complete at least 3 job search activities and document them. These can include job applications, interviews, creating profiles on job sites, attending job fairs, etc. Since you'll be relocating, ESD understands there may be a transition period. You can request standby status for up to 12 weeks if you have a definite return-to-work date with a Washington employer, but that likely doesn't apply in your PCS situation. The key is being honest about your availability for work. Once you're physically in North Carolina, that's where your job search should be focused. And yes, as someone mentioned, keep ALL documentation for at least a year after your claim ends.

Quick update: I just saw on the ESD Twitter account that they're experiencing processing delays this week due to "backend system maintenance." They're saying most claims should process within 72 hours (which is ridiculous, but at least it's an explanation). Might want to check your status again tomorrow morning.

UPDATE: My claim just switched to paid status! Looks like it was just the system delay everyone mentioned. Thanks for all the help and suggestions - this community is amazing for keeping me sane during the unemployment process.

yeah i had to call like 50 times before getting through. took another week to fix after that. but dont panic yet, sounds like lots of people are delayed this week so probably just the system being slow

UPDATE: Payment finally hit my account this morning! Looks like it was just delayed by a day. Relief! Thanks everyone for the reassurance.