Double payment from PFMLA and ESD unemployment - how to stop/return payment?

This happens more often than you'd think with PFMLA and UI claims. First, don't panic - you're doing the right thing by trying to address it proactively. Here's what you need to do: 1. Document everything. Screenshot your PFMLA approval with dates and payment amounts. 2. Same with your UI payment history. 3. Continue trying to contact ESD, but also create a paper trail by sending a formal letter explaining the situation. 4. Do NOT spend the overlapping funds - set them aside. 5. When ESD finally contacts you (they will eventually), they'll issue an official overpayment notice with instructions for repayment. FYI - if you received both PFMLA and UI for the same weeks, the UI payments will be considered the overpayment since PFMLA takes precedence when both are approved.

omg this exact same thing hapened to me last yr!!! took FOREVER to fix. i ended up with like $5,700 from both programs for the same time period. esd kept saying they were gonna take the money back but didnt for like 2 months then suddenly hit me with a HUGE overpayment notice plus interest!! total nightmare

This is actually a common issue. When you have overlapping benefit periods between PFMLA and unemployment, you need to follow specific steps to resolve it properly: 1. Don't cash/spend any unemployment payments you receive while your PFMLA is covering the same period 2. Fill out form ESD 5314 (Benefit Payment Refund) - you can download it from the ESD website under Forms 3. Mail the form along with a personal check or money order for the amount to: Employment Security Department, PO Box 9046, Olympia, WA 98507 4. Make sure to include your claim ID on both the form and check 5. Keep proof of mailing and payment for your records By proactively returning the overlapping funds, you'll avoid having it turned into an official overpayment, which could affect your future eligibility and credit.

dont worry about it. just keep the money and if they come after you for it later you can set up a payment plan. thats what i did. they wont arrest you or anything lol

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! I've been dealing with the EXACT SAME THING since February and ESD STILL hasn't fixed it!!! They keep sending me conflicting letters - one saying I owe them $4,780 and another saying my appeal is "under review" WHAT APPEAL??? I never filed one!!! Then they started GARNISHING my new paycheck without warning!!! I've called 47 TIMES in the past month - COUNTED THEM!! - and either get hung up on or promised a callback that NEVER HAPPENS!! THEY ARE DELIBERATELY AVOIDING US!!!

I work with clients dealing with this exact situation regularly. Here's what's happening behind the scenes: PFMLA and ESD unemployment systems don't automatically communicate with each other, which is why double payments happen. The most efficient solution is getting through to an ESD claims specialist who can: 1. Flag your account for non-payment if the UI payments haven't been issued yet 2. Create an internal note showing you attempted to report this before payment 3. Generate the correct documentation for returning funds Since you haven't received the UI payment yet, I'd focus all energy on reaching a live person at ESD before the payment processes. Once it hits your account, the return process becomes more complicated. I've had clients use Claimyr (claimyr.com) recently with good results when the regular phone system is backed up. They basically get you through the phone system to a live agent. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3

my cousin works for esd (not saying which office lol) and she says their internal policy is to prioritize overpayment calls last because theres too many of them!! so thats why none of us can get through 🤬

I had this happen last summer - got approved for both programs at once. What worked for me was going IN PERSON to the WorkSource office in Lacey. Even though they're separate from ESD technically, the supervisor there was able to call an internal ESD number and get me connected to someone who could help. Took about 3 hours of waiting but it worked when nothing else did.

Quick update on the form situation since there seems to be confusion: The Benefit Payment Refund process changed in late 2024. You now have three options: 1. Online: Use the Benefit Return Portal (though as someone mentioned, it can be glitchy) 2. Phone: Get through to ESD and request a payment reversal (only works if payment is less than 5 days old) 3. Mail: You can still use the form method, but it's now form ESD-5617 not 5314 Also important - make sure to update your PFMLA application to show the exact weeks you received unemployment. This prevents PFMLA from overpaying you as well, creating a second problem.