Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel much more confident about applying now. I'll file my claim this week and see what happens. Fingers crossed!

For anyone else reading this thread, I used Claimyr last month to get through to Washington ESD about a similar question. Saved me hours of trying to call directly. The service connected me with an agent who could give me specific guidance about my substitute teacher situation. Worth checking out if you're having trouble reaching them.

One more important thing: while your appeal is in process, you should continue looking for work and documenting your job search activities. The appeal process doesn't pause your job search requirements if you're still claiming benefits on weeks you're eligible for. Also, make sure to request a payment plan application right away, even before your appeal. This shows good faith on your part and starts the process in case your appeal is unsuccessful. ESD has reasonable payment plans that can be as low as $25-50 per month depending on your financial situation. Having your employer not contest the appeal is a huge advantage, but remember the burden of proof is still on you to show you met all eligibility requirements. Be prepared to explain why you qualified for benefits initially.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress - I know exactly how overwhelming it feels when ESD suddenly demands money back that you've already spent on necessities. A few key points that might help: **Don't panic about the $8,700** - Even if your appeal doesn't go perfectly, ESD cannot force you to pay back money you don't have. They're required to offer payment plans based on your ability to pay, which could be as low as $10-25/month if you have no income. **Your employer saying they won't contest is actually huge** - This suggests they may have initially contested automatically (which many employers do to protect their UI rates) but realized it wasn't warranted. Definitely get this in writing though. **You have good options even without a lawyer:** - File your appeal through eServices before June 15th - Request an overpayment waiver form (separate from the appeal) - Apply for a payment plan as backup **Pro tip:** When you file your appeal, be very specific about WHY you initially qualified. The hearing officer needs to understand what changed between your initial approval and this reversal. The fact that you were approved initially and your employer won't fight the appeal puts you in a much better position than many people facing overpayments. Take it one step at a time and don't let them intimidate you into paying before exhausting your appeal rights.

This whole thread has been eye-opening. I had no idea there were so many resources available or that they could be used together. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their knowledge and experiences.

I'm in a very similar situation right now - just got laid off two weeks ago and filed for unemployment. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I was worried that applying for SNAP might somehow interfere with my UI claim, but it's clear that's not the case. The income limits seem reasonable too, especially since my unemployment benefits are only going to be around $350/week. I'm definitely going to apply for SNAP this week. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know what to expect and that these programs are designed to work together during tough times like this.

Just a suggestion - when you DO finally get your ReliaCard, immediately set up direct deposit transfers to your regular bank account. You can do this through the US Bank ReliaCard website or app. That way you won't have to worry about the card for future payments. I learned this the hard way when my ReliaCard got damaged and I had to wait for a replacement. Now all my unemployment payments automatically transfer to my regular checking account as soon as they hit the ReliaCard. Much more convenient! Also, save the US Bank ReliaCard customer service number (1-888-964-0359) in your phone. You'll likely need it at some point, and it's much faster to deal with them directly than going through ESD.

UPDATE: My ReliaCard FINALLY arrived today - took exactly 18 days! All my payments were there just as everyone said. Thanks for all the helpful advice. I've already set up the mobile app and scheduled transfers to my regular bank account for future payments. For anyone else waiting on their card, the timeline on the ESD website is definitely optimistic. Plan for 2-3 weeks instead of the 7-10 business days they claim. And definitely set up direct transfers once you get it!

OP, curious how your application went? Did you run into any issues with the online system? I know some people have trouble with the SAW login process.

Just wanted to add that if you have any trouble with the SAW (SecureAccess Washington) login when filing, try using a different browser or clearing your cache. I had issues with Chrome but Firefox worked fine. Also, the system sometimes gets overloaded on Sunday evenings when everyone files their weekly claims, so if you hit errors tonight, try again early Monday morning. The important thing is you're finally getting this started - better late than never!