Bottom line: yes, they contact employers, but it's a normal part of the process. Don't let worry about that stop you from filing if you're eligible. Unemployment benefits exist for exactly this situation.

I just wanted to add that if you're really concerned about the timing, you might want to consider giving your former employer a brief heads up that you're filing. Something simple like "I wanted to let you know I'll be filing for unemployment benefits, so you may receive paperwork from Washington ESD in the next few days." It's not required, but it can help avoid any confusion on their end and shows professionalism. Most employers appreciate the courtesy, and it might actually make the whole process feel less awkward for you.

I waited 5 months for my refund and then they only sent half of what they owed me! Had to go through the whole process again for the rest. The trick is to be super persistent. Call every week and keep detailed notes of who you talked to and what they said. Eventually you'll get someone who knows what they're doing.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! Got my waiver approval letter two weeks ago after already paying back $1,850 over 6 months. Like others have mentioned, the letter doesn't say anything about refunds which is really frustrating. Based on all the helpful advice in this thread, I'm planning to: 1. Call first thing Monday morning to request the "Refund Request Ticket" that @Sophie Footman mentioned 2. Ask about the RRF-2025 form that @Brooklyn Knight found out about 3. Have all my payment receipts and bank statements ready It's really disappointing that we have to jump through so many hoops to get our own money back, especially when we were being responsible by making payments in the first place. I'll definitely update here with my progress - this thread has been super valuable for understanding what to expect. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

Another denial reason people forget - if you don't register with WorkSourceWA within a reasonable time after filing. It's not optional, it's a requirement for maintaining eligibility.

Also be careful about how you describe your reason for leaving on the initial application. The way you word it can really impact whether they approve or deny you. I've seen people get denied because they said they "quit due to stress" instead of explaining the specific unsafe or hostile conditions that made it impossible to continue working. The initial application sets the tone for your entire claim, so be detailed and specific about circumstances rather than just giving a general reason.

confirmation - payment just hit my account about an hour ago. One day delay for Labor Day, exactly as everyone predicted. Thanks for all the info in this thread!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone searching this topic in the future - I've been on Washington ESD unemployment for about 8 months now and holiday delays are super predictable. Every federal holiday pushes payments back exactly one business day. The key thing I learned is to check your ESD account online - it'll show if the payment was "processed" versus actually having an issue with your claim. When it says processed but you don't see the money yet, that's just the bank/holiday delay. Also seconding the suggestion about setting up bank alerts - takes all the guesswork out of when the deposit actually hits. Hope this helps other folks dealing with the same stress!

Does anyone know if there's a way to see what information your employer provided to Washington ESD when they responded to the notice? I'm curious what my former boss said about my layoff.

Just wanted to share my experience since I was in a similar situation a few months ago. I was also worried about my employer being notified, but it turned out to be no big deal at all. They got the standard notice from Washington ESD, didn't contest it (since it was a legitimate layoff), and that was that. The whole process was actually pretty straightforward once I stopped overthinking it. Focus on your job search requirements and don't stress too much about the employer notification - it's just part of how the system works to verify claims are legitimate.