Hope everything works out for you OP. Sounds like you're being proactive about addressing potential issues which is the right approach. Most people who end up in serious trouble are the ones who try to hide from the problem.

I've been through a similar situation and wanted to share what I learned. The most important thing is to be proactive and honest. I made some reporting errors on my unemployment claim (forgot to report some freelance work) and was terrified about criminal charges. I ended up contacting Washington ESD directly to explain the situation before they even contacted me. They appreciated my honesty and we worked out a repayment plan without any criminal referral. The caseworker told me that intent is really the deciding factor - they see honest mistakes all the time and handle them very differently than deliberate fraud. Document everything about your situation and be prepared to explain exactly what happened and why. It's scary but most people in your situation end up with just a repayment obligation, not criminal charges.

Just to follow up - I checked the ESD handbook, and the formula they use is: if you earn 1.33 times your weekly benefit amount, you're considered to have excess earnings. So with a WBA of $550, you'd need to earn more than $731.50 in a week to have 'excess hours.' Since you only earned $320, something doesn't add up. Definitely contact them for clarification. And make sure to continue filing your weekly claims while you sort this out!

I had a similar issue last year where ESD incorrectly flagged my claim with "excess hours" when I clearly didn't meet the threshold. Turned out there was a glitch in their system that sometimes miscalculates earnings vs. hours worked. When I finally got through to an agent (took forever), they fixed it within 5 minutes and backdated my benefits to include that waiting week. The key is being persistent with calling - try first thing in the morning right when they open at 8 AM, that's when I had the most luck getting through. Also, keep detailed records of exactly what you reported vs. what shows up in your account so you can clearly explain the discrepancy to the agent.

Update on what you shared about "failure to provide adequate work search documentation" - this is actually a common issue with pandemic claims. The work search requirements were waived during certain periods, then reinstated, then modified several times. It's possible ESD is retroactively reviewing claims and finding documentation gaps. When you appeal, focus specifically on: 1) Whether work search was required during your specific claim period, and 2) What documentation you provided at the time. You might also want to request all records ESD has on your claim through a public records request - this can sometimes reveal processing errors on their end.

I'm going through something similar right now - got an overpayment notice for $3,200 from early 2023 claims. What's really frustrating is that I kept meticulous records during the pandemic because I was so worried about this exact scenario happening! I have screenshots of my approved weekly certifications and all the work search logs I submitted through their system. The thing that bugs me most is how they can just decide years later that documentation they previously accepted is now "inadequate." Like, if there was a problem with my work search records, why didn't they flag it at the time instead of approving my benefits for months? I filed my appeal yesterday and also submitted a waiver request since it's marked as non-fraud. Definitely don't wait on the appeal deadline - I almost missed mine because I kept thinking I could resolve it over the phone first. Good luck getting through to them, but protect yourself with that appeal filing regardless!

UPDATE: You guys won't believe this! I finally got through to ESD this morning and the agent (who was actually super helpful) looked into my account. Turns out they actually OWE ME money! There was some recalculation of pandemic-era benefits and I was underpaid by about $1,200! The weird thing is their system still makes you answer all the overpayment waiver questions even when they're the ones who made a mistake in your favor. The letter was poorly worded and confusing. So for anyone else getting these random letters years later - definitely call and check! Could be good news!

That's amazing news Jamal! Thanks for updating us - this gives me hope for my own situation. I got a similar confusing letter last week and was dreading having to deal with it. Your experience shows it's definitely worth pushing through their terrible phone system. Did they say how long it will take to get your underpayment? And did you have to fill out any additional paperwork or is it automatic now that they've identified the error?

Final thought - keep detailed records of everything moving forward. Document all your job search activities, save copies of all correspondence with Washington ESD, and keep receipts for any expenses related to your case. Organization is key to a successful appeal.

I went through a similar situation about 3 years ago. My employer claimed I was terminated for "insubordination" but what really happened was I questioned a safety procedure that I felt was dangerous. Washington ESD initially sided with my employer, but during the appeal hearing I was able to show that I was actually trying to protect myself and coworkers. The key is proving that your actions were reasonable under the circumstances. Based on what you've described - medical issues with documentation and no prior warnings - you definitely have grounds for a successful appeal. Don't let them intimidate you into not fighting this.