Can you file bankruptcy on Washington ESD unemployment overpayment debt?

Unfortunately unemployment overpayments are generally not dischargeable in bankruptcy. They're considered government debts similar to tax debts. However, you should definitely appeal the overpayment determination first - you have 30 days from the notice date. If Washington ESD made an error in calculating the overpayment, you might be able to get it reduced or eliminated entirely.

Before you do anything drastic, you need to challenge this overpayment. I had a similar situation last year where they claimed I owed $5,400. Turns out their system had a glitch and wasn't properly recording my work reports. After I appealed with documentation, they reversed the entire overpayment.

I've been dealing with Washington ESD for months trying to get through to someone about my overpayment issue. The phone lines are always busy and when I do get through, I get transferred around until the call drops. It's incredibly frustrating when you're trying to resolve something this serious. I actually found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents - they have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to speak with someone directly about your appeal.

The bankruptcy route won't work for unemployment overpayments but you do have other options. Washington ESD offers payment plans if you can't pay the full amount. You can also request a waiver if you can prove financial hardship or that the overpayment wasn't your fault. Don't ignore this - they can garnish wages and tax refunds if you don't address it.

DONT FILE BANKRUPTCY OVER THIS!!! I made that mistake and spent thousands on a lawyer only to find out unemployment debt doesnt go away. You need to fight the overpayment first. Most of these notices are wrong anyway because Washington ESD's computer system is garbage.

I'm not a lawyer but I work in bankruptcy law and can confirm that unemployment overpayments are NOT dischargeable. They fall under the category of government debts that survive bankruptcy. However, Chapter 13 bankruptcy might help you reorganize your other debts to free up money for an Washington ESD payment plan.

same thing happened to my brother last year. washington esd said he owed like 6 grand and he freaked out. ended up appealing it and they reduced it to like 800 bucks. definitely appeal before you do anything else

Just want to emphasize again - you MUST appeal this within 30 days or you lose your right to challenge the overpayment. Even if you end up owing something, the amount could be significantly reduced. I've seen cases where Washington ESD's initial calculation was way off due to data entry errors or system glitches.

Been through this exact situation. Washington ESD claimed I owed $4,800 for unreported earnings. Spent weeks trying to call them to explain but could never get through. Finally used Claimyr to connect with an agent who looked at my case and realized their system had double-counted some of my reported wages. The whole overpayment was reversed within a week once I got to talk to the right person.

Look into requesting an overpayment waiver. If you can show that repaying the money would cause financial hardship, Washington ESD might waive all or part of the debt. You'll need to provide financial documentation but it's worth trying, especially if the overpayment wasn't due to fraud.

Whatever you do, don't ignore this. A friend of mine ignored an overpayment notice and Washington ESD garnished his wages. Took 25% of his paycheck every week until it was paid off. At least if you set up a payment plan you have some control over the amount.

Check if there's a statute of limitations on collecting unemployment overpayments in Washington. Some states have time limits on how long they can pursue collection, but I'm not sure about Washington specifically.

I work for a nonprofit that helps people with debt issues. Unemployment overpayments are definitely not dischargeable in bankruptcy under current law. However, if you're facing multiple debts, Chapter 7 bankruptcy could eliminate your other obligations and make the unemployment debt more manageable. Also look into whether you qualify for legal aid - many areas have free legal services for low-income individuals facing debt collection.

Had an overpayment issue too but mine was only like $1200. Still took forever to get it sorted out. The key is having good records of everything you reported. Do you have copies of your weekly claim submissions?

This whole system is so messed up. They make it nearly impossible to reach anyone by phone and then hit you with these huge overpayment bills. I swear they're just hoping people will pay without questioning it.

Quick question - did you receive any warnings before this overpayment notice? Sometimes Washington ESD sends letters asking for clarification before determining an overpayment.

Don't let them intimidate you. I successfully appealed a $3,600 overpayment last year. The key is being persistent and providing clear documentation. Also, if you do end up owing something, negotiate a reasonable payment plan rather than trying to pay it all at once.

I used to work for Washington ESD and can tell you that many overpayment determinations get overturned or reduced on appeal. The automated system often makes errors, especially when it comes to calculating wages and work hours. Always appeal if you believe the determination is wrong.

If you need to speak with Washington ESD urgently about this overpayment, I had good luck using Claimyr recently. It's way better than trying to call yourself and dealing with busy signals all day. The website is claimyr.com and they have a demo showing how it works. Really saved me time when I was dealing with a similar issue.

Bottom line - bankruptcy won't help with unemployment debt but you have other options. Appeal first, request a waiver if appropriate, and negotiate a payment plan if you end up owing something. Don't let Washington ESD steamroll you into accepting their initial determination without a fight.