Final thought - if you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to set up withholding or ask questions about it, that Claimyr service mentioned earlier really does work. Used it myself when I couldn't get through the regular phone lines.

I've been withholding 10% from my unemployment benefits for the past 3 months and it's been the right choice for me. At first I was hesitant because it reduces your weekly payment, but honestly you get used to it pretty quickly. What really convinced me was talking to my neighbor who got hit with a $1,200 tax bill last year from not withholding - she had to set up a payment plan with the IRS and everything. The way I see it, it's like automatic savings that protects you from an unpleasant surprise next April. Plus if you end up not needing all of it, you just get a bigger refund.

Just to clarify the terminology - Washington ESD uses 'good cause' for voluntary quits and 'misconduct' for involuntary terminations. Your situation falls under good cause since you voluntarily quit due to substantial changes in working conditions.

I went through something very similar with Washington ESD last year. The term you're looking for is "good cause" - that's the legal standard they use to determine if you had a valid reason to quit and still qualify for benefits. A reduction from $18 to $12 per hour (33% cut) combined with cutting your hours from 40 to 15 per week is absolutely textbook good cause. Your total weekly pay dropped from $720 to $180 - that's a 75% reduction! No reasonable person could be expected to continue working under those conditions. The adjudicator clearly made an error. File your appeal immediately and gather all documentation showing the wage and hour changes. This should be an easy win on appeal.

Wow, thank you so much for sharing this detailed breakdown! I'm just starting my unemployment claim process and honestly had no idea overpayments were even a thing. This is both terrifying and incredibly helpful. I'm definitely going to start documenting everything from day one - screenshots of my weekly filings, keeping all my pay stubs, and logging any phone calls. Better to be overprepared than caught off guard like so many people here seem to have been. One question - you mentioned citing specific RCW statutes in your appeals. How did you figure out which ones were relevant? Did you research them yourself or get help from somewhere? I want to make sure I know what to reference if I ever end up in this situation. Again, huge congrats on your victory! Stories like this give me hope that the system isn't completely hopeless, even if it's clearly designed to make people give up.

This is such an inspiring success story! I'm currently dealing with a $3,400 overpayment that ESD claims is from "unreported work" during a period when I was doing some freelance gigs. I reported every single payment I received, but apparently there's some discrepancy between what I reported and what my clients reported to the state. I'm only 2 months into this process but already feeling overwhelmed by all the paperwork and bureaucracy. Your detailed breakdown of what worked gives me a roadmap to follow. I especially appreciate the tip about getting everything in writing from employers - I never thought to ask my freelance clients for written statements about payment dates and amounts. One question - when you say you cited RCW statutes in your appeals, did you include the full text of the relevant sections or just reference them? I want to make sure I'm formatting my appeal correctly to give myself the best chance of success. Thanks again for taking the time to share all these details. It means so much to know that persistence can actually pay off in these situations!

I work with a workforce development program that helps people navigate training while on unemployment. Here are some additional facts that might help: 1. You must apply for Training Benefits within the first 52 weeks of your claim 2. If approved for TB, you can get up to 26 additional weeks of benefits beyond your regular UI claim 3. Part-time training doesn't require special approval as long as you maintain your job search requirements 4. For IT specifically, many programs qualify as "high-demand" in Washington state I'd recommend contacting your local WorkSource office too - they have specialists who can help you determine if your training plan will be approved before you invest time applying.

hey what happened with this? did u end up going to school? i'm thinking about it too

Update us when you hear something! I'm curious how long it ends up taking for you.

I went through a similar situation last year and what finally worked for me was contacting my state senator's office. They have a constituent services team that can make inquiries on your behalf with Washington ESD. I was stuck in adjudication for 9 weeks with no communication, called my senator's office on a Friday, and by the following Wednesday I had a call from ESD with my approval. It's a free service and they're used to helping with unemployment issues. Worth trying if the phone system keeps failing you!