im so confused abt all this... i got a $3200 overpayment notice but mine was from PUA not regular unemployment... does anyone know if this waiver thing applies to PUA overpayments too??

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else dealing with this - I had a $4,800 overpayment from early 2023 and was approved for the waiver last month. The key thing that helped my case was getting documentation from my former employer confirming that I had reported my work hours correctly to ESD, but their system miscalculated my weekly benefit amount. If you're dealing with an overpayment, definitely gather any emails, letters, or records showing that you provided accurate information but ESD made an error. Also keep records of any financial hardship - I included copies of medical bills, mortgage statements, and a letter explaining how repaying would impact my ability to cover basic needs. One tip: when you call, ask the agent to email you a confirmation that your waiver request was received and that collections are paused. Having that in writing saved me when another department tried to start garnishment proceedings anyway. Good luck everyone!

Final advice from someone who's been through this - keep filing your weekly claims, report ALL earnings accurately (gross amounts), maintain your job search activities unless told otherwise, and keep good records of everything. The partial benefit system works well if you follow the rules.

I went through this exact same situation last month! You definitely want to keep filing your weekly claims and report the part-time work. Washington ESD has a formula where they subtract a portion of your earnings from your weekly benefit amount, so you'll likely still get some partial benefits with a 25-hour/week job. The most important thing is to be completely transparent about your hours and gross earnings on each weekly claim. Don't worry about "messing up" your claim status - as long as you're honest about the work, the system will handle the calculations automatically. Congrats on getting the job offer!

one last tip - keep good records of everything throughout your entire claim period. if any issues come up later about your benefit duration or payments, you'll want documentation of your weekly claims and job search activities

Just wanted to add my experience - I'm currently at week 16 of my claim and initially qualified for the full 26 weeks since I had steady employment for over a year before filing. The key thing I learned is that Washington ESD sends you a determination letter early on that tells you exactly how many weeks you're eligible for, so you don't have to guess. If you haven't received that letter yet or can't find it, you can check your benefit details in your eServices account online. It shows your maximum benefit amount and the number of weeks remaining. This really helped me plan my job search timeline and budget accordingly.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Workplace harassment is serious and no one should have to endure it just to keep their job. Whether you decide to quit and file for UI or pursue other options, make sure you're taking care of your mental health too.

I went through a similar situation about two years ago and want to emphasize something that hasn't been mentioned much - timing matters a lot. If you can show that you made reasonable attempts to resolve the situation over a period of time before quitting, it really strengthens your case. In my situation, I documented issues for about 6 weeks, went through proper channels, gave my employer time to address the problems, and only quit when it became clear nothing would change. Washington ESD viewed this favorably during adjudication because it showed I didn't just quit impulsively. Also, consider reaching out to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries if safety issues are involved - having an official complaint on record can really bolster your unemployment claim.

The waiting week is automatic so don't stress about that part. Focus on filing everything correctly and on time, and starting your job search documentation from day one.

I went through this exact situation last year and the timing was confusing for me too. Here's what I learned: File your initial claim the Monday after your last day of work (so file Monday after your Friday layoff). Then start your weekly claims the following Sunday - don't wait for your initial claim to be fully processed. The weekly claims establish your benefit weeks even during processing. About severance - definitely report it when you file but don't delay filing because of it. Washington ESD will handle the timing calculations for you. Also, make sure you have all your employment info ready (dates, wages, reason for separation) before you start the application to avoid delays.