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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.
One last thing - if you're ever unsure about something, it's better to call Washington ESD and ask than to guess wrong. I know the phones are busy but it's worth it for peace of mind.
Thanks! I'll check out Claimyr too if I need to talk to someone at Washington ESD.
Just to add to all the great advice here - I've been driving for UberEats while on unemployment for about 6 weeks now. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier is to keep a simple weekly log of your earnings right when you get them. I take a screenshot of my weekly earnings summary from the Uber app every Sunday night before I file my weekly claim on Monday. That way I never have to scramble to remember what I made or worry about reporting the wrong amount. Also, don't stress too much about the dollar-for-dollar reduction - even if you make $200 from Uber one week, you're still coming out ahead financially compared to just the unemployment benefits alone. Just stay honest with your reporting and you'll be fine!
That's really smart about taking screenshots every Sunday! I was wondering how to keep track of everything properly. Do you also save those screenshots somewhere safe in case Washington ESD ever asks for proof later? I'm paranoid about losing documentation and then having issues down the road.
Yes absolutely! I upload all my screenshots to Google Drive in a folder called "Unemployment Earnings" so they're backed up and easy to find. I also keep a simple Excel sheet with the date, amount earned, and which screenshot file it corresponds to. Washington ESD can request documentation going back months or even years in some cases, so having everything organized and accessible is super important. Better to be over-prepared than scrambling to find records later if they audit your claim!
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!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! This is really helpful to hear from someone who just went through the same thing. I'm definitely going to file right after my last day now - seems like everyone who waited regretted it. Good point about keeping the severance agreement handy too. Did you have any issues with the job search requirements during the weeks you were getting $0? I'm still a bit confused about whether I need to do the full 3 activities each week even when not receiving any UI payments.
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.
Dominic Green
One more thought - if you decide to appeal, consider asking the court for a fee waiver if you're low income. The $400+ filing fee can be waived if you qualify. The form is available on most Superior Court websites.
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Amara Torres
•Thank you! I didn't know that was possible. I'll look into the fee waiver for sure.
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Mason Kaczka
Based on everything you've shared, especially about the "updated policy" they sprung on you during the hearing, I think you should at least consult with the Unemployment Law Project before deciding. If they think you have a decent case, it might be worth pursuing. The fact that you texted your supervisor each day and they're claiming you violated a policy you never received could be exactly the kind of factual dispute that might get traction in court. To prepare for a consultation, gather: 1. Your original ESD determination letter 2. The OAH decision 3. Any evidence you submitted (like the text messages) 4. The employer's handbook with the "as soon as practicable" language 5. Any documentation showing you weren't notified of policy changes Good luck with whatever you decide!
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Omar Mahmoud
•Wow, that HR email from 3 months before sounds like it could be a game-changer! Having written proof that contradicts their hearing testimony might be exactly what you need. I'm curious - was this email something you had during your OAH hearing, or did you find it afterwards? If you didn't present it at the hearing, that could complicate things since the court typically won't consider new evidence. But definitely worth asking the Unemployment Law Project about - they'll know how to handle that situation.
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Marina Hendrix
•@Amara Torres That HR email you found could be absolutely critical! The timing is perfect - 3 months before termination proves the policy was still in effect when you needed to use it. Even if you didn t'present it at the OAH hearing, there might be ways to get it considered on appeal, especially if it directly contradicts testimony given under oath. The Unemployment Law Project will definitely want to see that document. With that kind of smoking gun evidence plus your text message records, you might actually have a stronger case than I initially thought. Don t'let that 30-day deadline slip by while you re'gathering documents though!
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