Do ESD overpayments allow partial payments or is it all-or-nothing?

Yes, ESD definitely accepts partial payments on overpayments! I had a similar situation last year with a $3,200 overpayment. You need to call and specifically request a repayment plan. They can set up monthly payments based on your financial situation - in my case they accepted $150/month. Make sure to get the plan in writing though, because they can garnish wages if you don't have a formal agreement.

omg same thing happened 2 me!! $3k+ and I almost had a heart attack when I got the notice lol

You should definitely appeal the overpayment first before agreeing to pay ANYTHING!! You have 30 days from the notice date to file an appeal. I successfully appealed mine because I had documentation showing I reported correctly. Don't just accept their calculation - make them prove it! The appeal is free and many overpayment claims get reduced or eliminated entirely.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CONFUSE YOU!!! They DELIBERATELY don't tell you about payment plans because they want the money all at once. I had a $2,700 overpayment in 2024 and when I finally got through to someone after HOURS on hold they acted like they were doing me a huge favor by offering a payment plan. Meanwhile they threaten to garnish wages, take tax refunds, etc. if you don't pay. It's THEFT how they treat people who are already struggling!!

My sister had this issue last fall. She owed around $5k and they let her do $175/month payments. She said you have to specifically ask for the "financial hardship payment plan" - there's a form they need to send you where you list your income and expenses.

For anyone dealing with ESD overpayments, here's what you need to know: 1. You have the right to appeal within 30 days 2. You can request a payment plan by calling the Collections Unit at 888-444-8531 (different from regular ESD number) 3. They typically offer plans ranging from 12-24 months 4. You may need to complete a Statement of Financial Status form 5. Interest may still accrue on the unpaid balance (1% per month) 6. If you ignore it, they can garnish wages up to 25%, take tax refunds, or place liens I recommend trying to appeal first if you have documentation, then requesting a payment plan if needed.

I spent 3 weeks trying to get through to ESD about my overpayment and finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with an agent. Totally worth it - got through in 15 minutes instead of endless busy signals. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent set up a payment plan for me on the spot. Saved me so much frustration!

Just to add something important - make sure you continue filing your weekly claims if you're still on unemployment, even with an overpayment. Many people think they should stop claiming once they get an overpayment notice, but that can complicate things further. Your current benefits will just go toward paying off the overpayment automatically.

UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD today! For anyone with similar issues - yes, they do offer payment plans. I had to talk to the collections department (not regular UI). They asked about my income and expenses and approved me for a $200/month plan over 24 months. They're sending me paperwork to sign. They said if I miss payments they can cancel the plan, so I need to be super careful about that. I'm also going to appeal since I still have a week left in my appeal window. Thanks everyone for your help!