Do you have to pay back unemployment benefits in Washington - confused about overpayment notice

Unfortunately yes, you can be required to pay back unemployment benefits in certain situations. Washington ESD can determine you received an overpayment if you weren't eligible for some or all of the benefits you received. Common reasons include not reporting work income, not being able and available for work, or issues with your job separation. Did the letter specify what type of overpayment they're claiming?

This happened to me too! Washington ESD said I had to pay back $2,800 because I didn't report some part-time work correctly. I was so stressed trying to get through to someone to explain my situation. The phone lines are always busy and I kept getting disconnected.

Yes, unfortunately overpayments are real and you typically do have to pay them back. The most common reasons for Washington ESD overpayments include: 1) Not reporting work earnings during weeks you claimed, 2) Being found ineligible after an adjudication process, 3) Errors in your claim processing, 4) Not meeting job search requirements. You should receive a detailed explanation of why they determined you were overpaid.

The unemployment system is such a scam! They make it so complicated that normal people can't navigate it properly, then they come after you for money later. I bet half the people getting these overpayment notices did nothing wrong.

I had to pay back $1,200 last year because I didn't realize I had to report my freelance income. Even though it was only like $50 here and there, Washington ESD said any work had to be reported. The good news is they let me set up a payment plan so I didn't have to pay it all at once.

same thing happened to my sister she had to pay back like 3000

Important reminder: you have 30 days from the date of the overpayment notice to file an appeal. Don't let that deadline pass if you believe the determination is wrong. The appeal process allows you to present evidence and explain your situation to an administrative law judge.

This is why I was so paranoid about reporting everything when I was on unemployment. I reported every single penny I earned, even from selling stuff online. Better safe than sorry with Washington ESD.

Just an update on my situation - I was able to get my overpayment reduced after explaining my work situation to the Washington ESD agent. Turns out I was reporting my hours correctly but they had the wrong hourly wage on file. Getting through to speak with someone was the key to resolving it.

I'm dealing with this right now too. Washington ESD says I owe back $4200 because of some issue with my job separation that they're just now finding out about. This is from benefits I received 8 months ago! How can they come after you so long after the fact?

Does anyone know if they can garnish your wages or tax refund for unemployment overpayments? I'm worried about what happens if I can't afford to pay it back right away.

My cousin went through this last year. Ended up owing $1800 because she didn't report some part-time hours correctly. The stress of it all made her really sick. She eventually paid it back but it took months of back and forth.

One thing to keep in mind is that some overpayments are considered 'fraud' overpayments which come with penalties, while others are 'non-fraud' overpayments from honest mistakes. The penalties for fraud overpayments are much higher, so it's important to understand which type you're facing.

I successfully appealed my overpayment determination last year. The key was having all my documentation organized and presenting a clear timeline of events. Don't give up if you believe the determination is wrong - the appeals process exists for a reason.

This whole thread is making me paranoid about my own unemployment claim. I've been super careful but now I'm second-guessing everything I reported.

For anyone dealing with this, make sure you don't ignore the overpayment notice. Even if you can't pay right away, contact Washington ESD to discuss your options. Ignoring it will only make things worse.

Just want to echo what others have said about Claimyr - I used them last month when I couldn't get through to Washington ESD about my adjudication issue. It really works and saved me hours of calling. Worth checking out their demo video if you're having trouble reaching an agent.

I went through something similar last year. The key thing to remember is that Washington ESD overpayment notices can look scarier than they actually are. In many cases, there are legitimate reasons for the determination that can be resolved once you understand what happened. The most important thing is to read the notice carefully to see if it specifies the reason for the overpayment - was it unreported wages, eligibility issues, or something else? Don't panic, but do act quickly since you only have 30 days to appeal if you disagree with their decision. I'd recommend calling them as soon as possible to get clarification on exactly what triggered the overpayment determination.