


Ask the community...
Just to summarize for anyone else reading this - file as soon as possible, have your employment history ready, keep job search records, and don't be afraid to call Washington ESD if you have questions. The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised by what options are available.
I went through something similar a few months ago - waited about 8 months before filing because I kept thinking I'd land something soon. Washington ESD did approve my claim but I only got benefits for the remaining weeks in my benefit year, not the full 26 weeks I would have gotten if I filed right away. The key thing is they look at your "benefit year" which starts when you file, not when you became unemployed. So you're basically losing those weeks you waited. Still worth filing though - some benefits are better than none, and you might qualify for extensions or other programs too.
hang in there everyone, i know it sucks but most people do eventually get their payments. the system is slow but it usually works out in the end
I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed in mid-January and payments have been stuck for 5 weeks. The lack of communication is the most frustrating part. Based on what others are saying here, I'm going to try that Claimyr service to finally get some answers. Has anyone had luck with contacting their state representative's office like Zara mentioned? Might be worth trying multiple approaches at this point.
My brother got an overpayment notice but he just ignored it and nothing happened. Is that bad advice? Im confused about why some people have to fight for years and others just never hear about it again???
Ignoring an overpayment notice is DEFINITELY bad advice! ESD can and will garnish wages, tax refunds, and even bank accounts eventually. They may not act immediately, but these debts don't just disappear. The state has a long memory when it comes to money they believe they're owed. Your brother should address this before it escalates to collections or legal action.
i remember standing in line at the food bank last year cuz of my overpayment took all my money and some lady told me she got hers forgiven but i didnt believe her. guess its really possible huh
It absolutely is possible! It's not easy or quick, but don't give up. The financial hardship angle is important - if you can document that paying back would cause significant hardship (like needing food assistance), that strengthens your case for forgiveness. Are you still dealing with your overpayment now?
Yes, it's definitely possible! I've been following overpayment cases in this community for a while and there are more success stories than you might think. The key is understanding that ESD often makes mistakes, especially with pandemic-era claims. If you're still dealing with your overpayment, consider reaching out to the Unemployment Law Project for free legal help, or at minimum file a waiver request if you haven't already. Don't let them intimidate you into just accepting the debt - you have rights and options.
Bottom line: 26 weeks maximum, period starts when you file your initial claim, keep filing weekly even if you work part-time, and don't slack on job search requirements. Am I missing anything important?
That pretty much covers it! Thanks everyone for all the helpful info. I feel much more prepared to navigate this now.
Also remember that if you have questions about your specific situation, don't be afraid to reach out to Washington ESD or use resources like Claimyr to get official answers.
Just to add to the discussion - I went through this process last year after getting laid off from a warehouse job. The 26 weeks is definitely the standard maximum in Washington, and it goes by faster than you think when you're actively job searching. One thing that helped me was setting up a spreadsheet to track my remaining weeks alongside my job applications so I could see exactly where I stood. Also, don't underestimate how much time the job search requirements take - those 3 weekly activities add up, especially if you're being thorough with applications and follow-ups. Good luck with your search!
Ethan Clark
Great thread everyone. I bookmarked this for future reference. The information about keeping benefits in a separate account is especially helpful.
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Oliver Fischer
•Glad this was helpful! It's one of those things that can really stress people out when they don't know their rights.
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Amina Sy
•Same here. I feel so much better knowing my UI benefits are protected from my credit card debt. Thanks everyone for the detailed explanations.
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Emma Davis
This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm dealing with a similar situation with old medical debt and was terrified they could take my unemployment benefits. Reading about RCW 50.40.020 and everyone's experiences has given me so much peace of mind. I'm definitely going to set up a separate account for my UI benefits like several people recommended. It's frustrating that Washington ESD doesn't make this information more accessible on their website - having to hunt through legal statutes shouldn't be necessary to understand basic protections.
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