I went through something similar last year. The key thing to remember is that Washington ESD overpayment notices can look scarier than they actually are. In many cases, there are legitimate reasons for the determination that can be resolved once you understand what happened. The most important thing is to read the notice carefully to see if it specifies the reason for the overpayment - was it unreported wages, eligibility issues, or something else? Don't panic, but do act quickly since you only have 30 days to appeal if you disagree with their decision. I'd recommend calling them as soon as possible to get clarification on exactly what triggered the overpayment determination.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now and it's so stressful! Got an overpayment notice last week and I've been losing sleep over it. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been really helpful though - it sounds like a lot of these situations can be resolved once you actually talk to someone at Washington ESD. The hardest part seems to be getting through to an agent in the first place. I'm definitely going to look into that Claimyr service that several people mentioned since I've been trying to call for days with no luck. It's reassuring to hear that some of you were able to get your overpayments reduced or waived after explaining your situations. Thanks for sharing your stories - it makes me feel less alone in dealing with this mess!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this whole process multiple times. The safest route is definitely to keep filing and doing your job searches even when you know you won't get benefits that week. I learned this the hard way when I skipped filing for what I thought was just going to be two weeks of higher earnings from freelance work. Ended up being three weeks, and when I tried to file again, my claim had been automatically closed. Had to go through the whole reopening process which took forever and created a gap in my benefits when my freelance work dried up again. The 30 minutes it takes to do the minimum job search activities is so much better than dealing with ESD bureaucracy later!

I went through this same situation last year when my delivery gig had a really busy week. I decided to still file my claim and do the job searches even though I knew I'd be over the earnings limit. It was annoying spending time on applications when I wasn't getting any benefits, but it kept my claim status clean. The next week when my gig work dropped back to normal, I got my regular benefits without any issues or delays. From what I've seen in this community, ESD is super strict about maintaining those job search requirements - they really don't care if you're getting $0 that week. The peace of mind was worth the extra 30 minutes of work!

Just wanted to add that when you're logging your job search activities, make sure to save screenshots or confirmations when you submit online applications. I learned this the hard way when Washington ESD asked for proof of my job search activities and I only had my handwritten log. Having that extra documentation really helped verify my records. Also, if you apply through job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn, those platforms usually keep a record of your applications that you can reference later if needed.

One thing that helped me stay organized is creating a simple template for logging each activity. I write down: Date, Company Name, Position Title, Method (online app/phone/email/in-person), Contact Person (if any), and Follow-up needed. This way I'm consistent and don't forget important details. Also, if you're struggling to find 3 activities per week, remember that things like attending online career workshops, updating your resume for specific positions, or even calling companies to inquire about unadvertised openings can count as valid job search activities. The important thing is that you're making genuine efforts to find work and can document those efforts clearly.

I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now - just hit the 7-week mark waiting for my separation issue to be resolved. My employer is claiming I was "terminated for violating safety protocols" when I was actually let go after I reported unsafe working conditions to OSHA. The retaliation was pretty obvious but trying to prove it is another story. What's been most helpful for me is what others have mentioned - uploading EVERYTHING proactively. I've sent in my OSHA complaint, photos of the unsafe conditions, emails where I raised concerns internally first, and even witness statements from coworkers who saw the same hazards. The documentation timeline is key because it shows I was terminated within days of filing the OSHA report. One thing I learned from calling ESD (took 47 attempts to get through!) is that separation issues involving potential retaliation for safety complaints often take longer because they have to coordinate with other state agencies. But the agent said these cases usually have strong outcomes for claimants when there's clear documentation of the timeline. The financial stress is absolutely crushing - I've had to take on gig work just to keep my head above water. But reading everyone's success stories here keeps me motivated to stick with the process. For anyone else going through this, document everything and don't give up! The system is slow but it does seem to work eventually when you have a legitimate case.

I'm currently dealing with a separation issue too - week 4 and counting. My employer is claiming I was "terminated for insubordination" when I was actually let go after questioning their decision to cut safety training budgets. It's so frustrating when you know they're twisting the narrative to avoid paying higher unemployment taxes. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea separation issues were so common or took this long to resolve. I've been uploading every piece of documentation I can find: emails where I raised safety concerns professionally, meeting minutes showing the budget cuts I questioned, and even my performance reviews which were all positive up until this incident. The waiting is absolutely brutal when bills are piling up, but it's reassuring to see that most people with solid documentation eventually get approved. I'm keeping detailed notes of everything and checking eServices obsessively. Thanks @Freya for starting this thread - it's such a relief to know we're not going through this nightmare alone! Has anyone dealt with a case where questioning company decisions was labeled as "insubordination"? I'm hoping my professional tone in all the emails will help show I was raising legitimate concerns, not being insubordinate.

I'm a newcomer to both unemployment and gig work, but this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I was literally about to sign up for Instacart this week and had no clue about any of these reporting requirements. Reading through everyone's experiences, it's crystal clear that the ESD agent who told you Instacart drivers are "employees" was completely wrong. The consensus from everyone actually doing this work is unanimous - it's definitely self-employment/independent contractor status in Washington. I'm taking notes on all the practical advice shared here: - Report as self-employment on weekly claims - Include ALL earnings (base pay + tips + bonuses) - Report for the week you worked, not when paid - Keep weekly screenshots from the app - Track mileage for taxes The fact that so many people have gotten conflicting information from ESD phone agents is really troubling. It sounds like their training on gig economy work is seriously lacking. I'm definitely going to rely on this community and written guidelines rather than risking bad advice from phone support. Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences - you've probably saved me from making costly reporting mistakes! This thread is like a masterclass in navigating gig work while on unemployment benefits.

I'm new to this community but wanted to add my voice to the chorus here - the ESD agent you spoke with was definitely wrong! I've been doing Instacart for about 3 weeks now while on unemployment, and after initially being confused by conflicting information from ESD, I can confirm that you absolutely need to report it as self-employment. What really helped me get clarity was looking up Washington state's actual legal classification of gig workers. Under state law, Instacart shoppers are independent contractors, not employees. This means you'll get a 1099 form at tax time, not a W-2. For your weekly claims, here's what's worked for me: - Always select "self-employment" when reporting income - Report your total gross earnings including tips (I learned this the hard way - tips definitely count!) - Report for the week you actually did the shopping, not when Instacart paid you - Keep screenshots of your weekly earnings summary from the Shopper app The 75% benefit reduction for self-employment income is actually pretty generous compared to regular employment where they deduct 100%. So even if you make decent money with Instacart, you might still get partial unemployment benefits. I'd recommend ignoring what that agent told you and following the written guidelines. Too many ESD representatives seem to lack proper training on gig economy work. This community has been way more helpful than their phone support!