ESD covid overpayment forgiveness - any programs still active in 2025?

I went through this last month. ESD is still processing some Covid overpayment forgiveness, but only for certain situations. You need to submit a waiver request through your eServices account ASAP. Look under the 'Overpayment' section and there should be a link for 'Request Waiver'. You'll need to provide financial hardship documentation (bank statements, bills, etc.) to prove repayment would cause serious financial hardship. They're being pretty strict now compared to 2022-2023 when they were doing more automatic forgiveness. I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual ESD agent when my waiver was stuck in processing. They got me connected in about 20 minutes after I'd been trying for days on my own. Their video shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. The agent explained exactly what documentation I needed and my waiver was approved a week later.

they dont care about us anymore covid is old news so theyre coming after everyone now. my cousin had 12k overpayment and they garnished her wages even tho she filed appeal. system is completeley broken imo

To directly answer your question: Yes, ESD is still processing overpayment forgiveness for COVID-era claims, but the program is much more restricted now than in 2022-2023. Here's what you need to know: 1. The COVID overpayment waiver program is still technically active, but now requires individual review rather than automatic forgiveness 2. You must submit a formal waiver request through your eServices account under the Overpayments section 3. Documentation requirements: - Proof of current income and expenses - Evidence that repayment would cause financial hardship - Explanation of why you believed you were eligible at the time 4. Important: There is a timeline for requesting these waivers, and they can expire, so submit ASAP 5. If your waiver is denied, you still have appeal rights through the Office of Administrative Hearings The key factor is proving that you applied in good faith and that repayment would cause significant financial hardship. Document everything carefully!

THEY ARE ROBBING US!!!! I got hit with a $16,500 "overpayment" last month and ESD is claiming I wasn't eligible even though THEY APPROVED ME IN THE FIRST PLACE!! How can they give us money and then 5 YEARS LATER decide actually no we need it back?? The whole system is designed to punish working people. I filed for forgiveness and they denied it with a form letter. Now they're threatening to garnish my wages and take my tax returns. This is CRIMINAL!!!

I'm an unemployment advocate who works with these cases regularly. Here's the current situation with COVID-era overpayment forgiveness: In 2025, ESD is still processing forgiveness for pandemic overpayments, but with stricter criteria than before. The federal guidance allowing blanket forgiveness expired, but individual waivers are still possible under both federal and state hardship provisions. For your $7,800 overpayment, you should: 1) Request an official overpayment waiver through eServices immediately 2) Submit a detailed financial statement showing genuine hardship 3) Provide a clear explanation of why you believed you were eligible at the time 4) If denied, request a hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings within 30 days Many clients have still gotten waivers approved recently, especially when they can document that: - They applied in good faith without intentional misrepresentation - Repayment would prevent them from meeting basic needs - They're experiencing ongoing financial hardship Don't ignore the notices - that will lead to automatic collection activities. Even if you can't get full forgiveness, payment plans with very low monthly amounts are usually available.

i just went thru this whole process. got a $5k overpayment notice in february. called esd like 50 times and nobody answered. finally found out about this service called claimyr.com that got me through to an actual person at esd in like 15 mins. they have a video showing how it works https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. anyway the esd lady told me exactly what to submit for the waiver and i got approved last week! definitely get someone on the phone who can help with your specific situation

my friend got her covid overpayment forgiven last month but she had to prove she was like super poor basically. they made her send in all her bills and bank statements and stuff. good luck!!!

Just to clarify some misinformation in this thread: ESD's COVID overpayment forgiveness is still active, but operates differently now. Under current guidelines, there are two main paths to forgiveness: 1. Federal Equity Provision: For PUA/PEUC claims where the overpayment wasn't your fault 2. Financial Hardship Waiver: When repayment would prevent you from meeting basic needs The key difference in 2025 is that these are no longer automatic and require proper documentation. Based on current ESD processing times, expect 6-8 weeks for a decision if you provide complete documentation initially. If you need help immediately, request a "stay of collections" on your account while your waiver is processed. This temporarily stops garnishments or other collection efforts.

anyone know what happens if u just dont pay it back? asking for a friend lol