


Ask the community...
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.
Where did you hear about this prioritization? I've been waiting 14 weeks for a decision with NO communication despite sending multiple messages. ESD never updates anyone about these policy changes!
This was announced in an ESD stakeholder meeting last month. You're right that they don't communicate these changes well to claimants. If you've been waiting 14 weeks, I'd recommend contacting your state representative's office for assistance - they often have dedicated staff who can help expedite ESD issues.
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.
That's such great news that you got through and got the hold on collections! I'm in a similar situation with a $3,200 overpayment and have been waiting 8 weeks for my waiver decision. I might try that Claimyr service too since I keep getting busy signals. Thanks for updating us - it gives me hope that there's light at the end of the tunnel. Definitely keep us posted on your final decision!
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!
This is really comprehensive advice, thank you! I hadn't thought about the bank's cut-off times - that's a great point. My credit union usually processes deposits pretty quickly, but I'll definitely keep that in mind. I actually did reach out to my landlord yesterday to give them a heads up about potential timing, and they were totally understanding. It's such a relief to know that most people get it when you're dealing with unemployment. The proactive communication tip is gold - much better than scrambling after the fact if there are delays!
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.
Thanks for the tip! I definitely mentioned potential eviction when I called yesterday, so hopefully that helps. I'll keep an eye out for separate deposits too - good to know they might not come all at once.
I went through this exact situation last year - expedited after 6 weeks in adjudication for a job separation issue. In my case, it took 9 business days from expedite to payment, but I had to call on day 8 because they needed clarification on my termination circumstances. The good news is once it was resolved, I got ALL my back weeks in one lump sum payment, which was honestly life-saving since I was also behind on rent. One thing that helped me was calling early in the morning (right at 8am) - seemed like the wait times were shorter then. Keep filing those weekly claims and stay positive - you're in the home stretch now!
Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you apply for Training Benefits, make sure you also submit a detailed career plan explaining how this training connects to your previous work experience and future career goals. I think this really helped my application get approved faster. Since you have healthcare admin experience, you can emphasize how medical coding builds on that background and how it's a logical career progression. ESD wants to see that you're not just randomly picking a training program but that it makes sense for your career path. Also, once you do get approved, you'll get a letter with specific requirements you need to follow (like maintaining satisfactory progress, reporting any changes, etc.). Keep that letter handy because you'll need to reference it throughout your training! Good luck with your application! Medical coding is definitely a smart choice given the demand in healthcare.
This is really great advice about the career plan! I hadn't thought about emphasizing the connection to my healthcare admin background, but you're absolutely right - it shows this isn't just a random choice. I'm definitely going to spend time writing a detailed explanation of how medical coding builds on my existing skills and experience. Thanks for the tip about keeping the approval letter handy too - I'll make sure to save it somewhere I can easily find it once I get approved.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also check if your chosen medical coding program offers any financial aid or scholarships. Even if Training Benefits gets approved, there might be program costs that aren't fully covered. I went through a similar situation last year and found that some community colleges have specific grants for displaced workers that can help with books, certification exam fees, and other expenses that Training Benefits doesn't cover. Also, just a heads up - the medical coding field often requires passing certification exams (like CPC or CCS) after completing your program. Make sure the training program you choose prepares you for these exams and includes exam prep, because employers almost always require certification. Some programs even include the exam fee in their tuition, which is definitely worth considering when comparing options. The job market for medical coders is really strong right now, especially with remote work options, so you're making a smart choice! Just make sure you understand all the costs upfront so there aren't any surprises later.
This is such valuable information about the additional costs and certification requirements! I hadn't really thought about the exam fees and other expenses beyond tuition. You're right that I should look into what financial aid might be available too. Do you happen to know if the CPC or CCS certification exams are expensive? And when you say some programs include exam prep - is that usually built into the curriculum or something you have to specifically ask about? I want to make sure I'm choosing a program that really sets me up for success, not just gets me through the coursework. The remote work aspect is definitely appealing too since I have young kids at home.
Lola Perez
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.
0 coins
Genevieve Cavalier
•This is excellent advice. I'd add that if you need to escalate to your state representative, include your ESD ID number, the date you submitted your waiver request, copies of any acknowledgment letters, and a clear timeline of your attempts to resolve the issue. This helps them intervene more effectively on your behalf.
0 coins
Klaus Schmidt
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!
0 coins