I've been on unemployment for nearly 18 months now (had to switch from regular UI to extended benefits at one point) and I've found the phone system to be fine for basic claims with no special circumstances. BUT if you have anything unusual to report like hours worked at multiple jobs or holiday pay or anything like that, I strongly recommend using the website. The phone system just isn't designed to handle complex situations. It's pretty much designed for people who either worked zero hours or have a simple single-employer situation with regular hours. Just something to keep in mind!

I always file by phone and never had problem! Just make sure you listen for the confirmation number at the end and write it down!!! Thats how you know it worked for real

I remember when I first started at Boeing they had us do like 3 weeks of training and I kept collecting full unemployment because I didn't think it counted. Then six months later ESD came after me for like $4,500 in overpayments! I'm still paying it back. They track everything through employer payroll reports so they WILL find out.

Just to add one more detail - when you report your training hours, you'll report them for the week they're worked, not when you get paid for them. So if your training is this week but you don't get your first paycheck until next week, you still report the hours and earnings for this week's claim.

Just checking in - any updates on your claim? Has the governor's office expedite helped yet?

Thanks for checking back! I actually just saw movement in my portal this morning - my claim status changed from

just wondering did u tell ur boss in writing why u were quitting? my friend won her case bc she sent an email explaining exactly why she was leaving and how they violated labor laws etc. without that they can just make up whatever reason they want

One more tip - for your appeal hearing, create a simple timeline document showing: 1. Your original job duties/hours when hired 2. Each significant change with exact dates 3. Each time you complained/reported issues 4. Any responses from management 5. How your working conditions differed at the end vs. beginning Administrative judges appreciate organization and clarity. Keep emotions out of it and stick to facts. And if you can show you tried to resolve the issues before quitting, that strengthens your case significantly.

wait im confused. i thought the waiting week was the first week after u apply? so if u applied on friday, isnt the waiting week this current week not last week? or am i misunderstanding something

I just went through this exact scenario in March 2025. The key thing to remember is that ESD considers a week as Sunday through Saturday. You file for the PREVIOUS week each time you submit a weekly claim. So when you file today (Sunday), you're reporting on the week that just ended (when you worked 40 hours). Just be honest - tell them you worked 40 hours, select NO for job search, and pick the full-time work option. Then for NEXT week's claim, you'll need to do your 3 job searches since you'll be fully unemployed. Also, don't forget to register with WorkSource within a week of applying! That caught me off guard.

I had an overpayment issue too when I was on unemployment in 2023... took me FOREVER to reach anyone. When I finally did, they told me they had my payment but it was applied to the wrong quarter or something ridiculous like that. Make sure when you finally reach someone that they check ALL parts of your account, not just the current balance!

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone! Used the special Thursday window that someone mentioned here AND had sent an email with all my documentation. The agent confirmed exactly what someone here suggested - my payment got flagged for "verification" because it was made from a new bank account (I switched banks in December). They found my payment in their system, removed the late fee, and said it should be properly applied to my account within 3-5 business days. They're also putting a note that no additional fees should be added while this is processing. Thank you all SO MUCH for your help and suggestions. This community saved me from completely losing my mind this week!

Thanks everyone for the super helpful responses! I'm going to file my initial claim tomorrow and make sure I report the severance correctly. I'll also keep doing the weekly claims even though I probably won't receive anything during the severance period. I appreciate all the advice!

One last tip - make sure you start fulfilling your job search requirements right away, even during the severance period. You need 3 job search activities each week, and you have to document them. ESD can audit your job search log at any time. This is something many people miss and can cause problems with your claim later.

Just wanted to follow up - after you visit WorkSource, make sure to get the name of the person who assists you and request that they document your visit in your claim notes. This creates a paper trail showing your efforts to resolve the issue. Additionally, if it's been 10 weeks, you might qualify for a hardship expedition based on your housing situation. Specifically mention to both your state representative and WorkSource that you're facing potential eviction. This can sometimes fast-track your claim review.

good luck tomorrow at WorkSource! just a heads up you might want to get there when they open, sometimes theres a wait and they can only help a certain number of people each day. i had to wait like 2 hours but it was worth it

This is actually covered in IRS Publication 525 under "Repayments." I think its called the "claim of right doctrine" or something like that. Basiaclly since you received it in 2023 and thought it was yours at the time, you have to report it on your 2023 taxes. Then when you repay in 2024, you get either the deduction or credit in 2024. The credit is definitely better if your repayment is over $3000, which yours is. I use TurboTax, not FreeTaxUSA, but I'm pretty sure any tax software can handle this for your 2024 taxes. I just wouldn't trust their customer support reps to know all the details on stuff like this.

To summarize what others have said, but with a bit more tax code specificity: 1. For 2023: Report the full amount from your 1099-G ($8,200) 2. For 2024: You'll have two options since your repayment was over $3,000: a. Take an itemized deduction on Schedule A (less favorable) b. Take a tax credit under IRC Section 1341 for the tax you paid on that income in 2023 (more favorable) FreeTaxUSA should handle the basic reporting for 2023 just fine. For 2024, you might need more help with the Section 1341 credit. I'd recommend saving about $200-300 for professional tax help next year unless you're very comfortable with tax calculations.

That's great you found out what the issue is! Now you can properly address it. Make sure to submit any documentation they requested through your eServices account under the "Upload a Document" section. Label it clearly like "Proof of layoff for adjudication" so it gets routed correctly. Most adjudications get resolved within 3-4 weeks if you provide all the requested information promptly.

hey @OP did u get ur benefits yet?? mine took FOREVER but eventually came thru