also make sure ur still doing all ur job search activities every week even while this overpayment thing is happening. my cousin forgot to do his job searches for two weeks while dealing with an overpayment issue and they disqualified him completely, had to appeal and everything it was a huge mess

Just want to add that if you're struggling financially while dealing with this overpayment, make sure you also look into other resources in your area. Many counties have emergency rental assistance programs, food banks, and utility assistance that can help bridge the gap while you're getting reduced unemployment payments. I had to use a few of these programs when I was in a similar situation and it really helped me stay afloat. Also, if you have any documentation from the family emergency (like medical records, death certificate, travel receipts), keep those handy - sometimes they can help explain the circumstances to ESD even after the fact.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I'm feeling much more confident about starting the refile process now.

Just want to add that when you refile, make sure you have all your employment documentation ready - pay stubs, W-2s, or 1099s from any work you did since your last claim started. Washington ESD may ask for verification of your wages, and having everything organized ahead of time can really speed up the process. I learned this the hard way when my refile got delayed because I couldn't find documentation for a short-term contract job I'd forgotten about.

Don't forget that in addition to your regular unemployment benefits, you might also qualify for the extra $25 per dependent per week if you have kids. Doesn't change the advice about filing immediately, but worth knowing when budgeting for after your severance ends!

Just went through this exact situation myself! Got laid off in November with 6 weeks severance. Filed my initial claim the Monday after my last day even though my severance was higher than UI benefits. The key thing is you HAVE to keep filing those weekly claims during severance or they'll consider your claim abandoned. I made the mistake of skipping a couple weeks thinking "why bother if I'm getting $0" and had to call ESD to reactivate. Also heads up - they might ask for documentation of your severance agreement, so keep that handy. The good news is once your severance ends, the benefits kick in automatically if you've been filing consistently. Definitely don't wait until March like I almost did!

Good luck with your claim! The whole process seems intimidating at first but it's really not that bad once you get started. Most people who qualify for benefits get approved without any major issues.

The employer verification process is really standard - I went through it last year when I was laid off from my tech job. Washington ESD sent my former employer a basic form asking about my employment dates, wages, and reason for separation. Since you mentioned you were laid off due to budget cuts, that's actually one of the clearest qualifying reasons for unemployment benefits. Your employer will likely just confirm the layoff was due to business reasons, which supports your claim. The whole verification usually takes about a week, and then you should hear back about your claim status. Don't stress too much about it - layoffs due to budget constraints are pretty straightforward for Washington ESD to process.

Hang in there everyone. This unemployment phase won't last forever even though it feels endless when you're in it.

I completely relate to this struggle. Been dealing with Washington ESD for about 3 months now and the psychological toll is exactly what you described - that constant anxiety about whether you filled something out wrong or if they'll flag your claim for some mysterious reason. The worst part is feeling like you have to justify your existence every week just to get benefits you paid into for years. The system really does feel designed to make you jump through endless hoops rather than actually help people get back on their feet. Stay strong - we're all navigating this nightmare together.