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 in a similar boat - got laid off from my retail job about 3 weeks ago and kept putting off filing because I was embarrassed about needing unemployment benefits. Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening. I had no idea that you lose those weeks permanently! Going to file my claim first thing tomorrow morning. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's helping people like me and Julian realize we need to act fast even when we're feeling overwhelmed about the whole process.

The advice here has been spot on - you definitely haven't missed your deadline, but those 6 weeks of lost benefits really sting. I went through something similar when I got laid off from my manufacturing job last year. Waited about a month thinking I'd bounce back quickly, and it ended up costing me around $1,600 in benefits I'll never get back. The hardest part is accepting that the money is just gone, but don't let that discourage you from filing now. Washington's unemployment system isn't perfect, but once you get your claim going, it does provide crucial support while you're job hunting. Make sure you have all your employment documentation ready before you start the online application - employer info, dates, reason for separation, etc. And definitely start tracking your job search activities in detail from day one because those weekly certifications require specific information about what you did to look for work each week.

I'm in a similar situation and have been researching this extensively. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that Washington State also has a Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program if your job loss was due to foreign trade impacts. It's pretty specific criteria but worth checking if it applies to your situation. Also, if you're a veteran, there are additional unemployment benefit extensions available through the VA that run parallel to regular UI. These programs aren't well-publicized but could provide extra weeks of benefits if you qualify. Definitely worth asking Washington ESD about these when you finally get through to someone.

I'm in a somewhat similar boat - about 4 months into my benefits with maybe a month left. Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening about options I didn't even know existed. The TAA program and Worker Retraining Program sound particularly interesting. I think the biggest takeaway for me is that there are way more specialized programs available than Washington ESD actively advertises, but you have to know to ask about them specifically. It's frustrating that you have to dig this deep just to find out what assistance might be available. Has anyone actually gone through the Worker Retraining Program? I'm curious about the application process and what kinds of training they approve.

Some additional insights that might help those waiting for refunds: - The refund process is handled by a completely separate department from the waiver approval team - Refunds over $5,000 require additional verification steps and take longer - If you made payments while under an active payment plan, the refund is typically faster than if you made lump sum payments - The fiscal year transition (June-July) can cause additional delays - If your banking information has changed since you made payments, notify ESD immediately to avoid further delays For the original poster, since your amount is $2,800, you're in the standard processing category which is generally more predictable.

I'm in a very similar situation - got my overpayment waiver approved about 3 weeks ago after paying back $3,200. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful but also shows how inconsistent the process is! It sounds like I should expect anywhere from 4-8 weeks total based on what people are sharing. The fact that there's no way to track the refund status online is so frustrating. I guess I'll just have to keep checking my bank account and hope for the best. Thanks everyone for sharing your timelines - at least now I know I'm not the only one dealing with this uncertainty!

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.