ESD overpayment notice anxiety - anyone else get recent notices but don't actually owe?

OMG SAME!!!! I got one of these notices last week saying I owe $1,750 and almost had a heart attack. The letter made zero sense talking about some adjustment to my "available credit" whatever that means?? I've tried calling like 50 times and keep getting disconnected. This is giving me major flashbacks to 2020 when I couldn't reach anyone for MONTHS.

I work with unemployment issues pretty regularly, and there's been a wave of these notices going out recently due to an ESD system audit. Many of them are erroneous. Here's what you need to do: 1. Document everything - take screenshots of your eServices account showing your reported earnings 2. Write down exact dates when you tried calling (this helps if you need to file an appeal) 3. Try calling right when they open at 8:00 AM 4. If you can't get through, file a formal appeal through your eServices portal (you have 30 days from the notice date) The "benefit year adjustment" usually refers to them recalculating your base year earnings, but often these automatic recalculations don't account for special circumstances that were already approved by a claims specialist.

I feel u on the ESD anxiety!! I literally keep a folder labeled "ESD Nightmare" with every single piece of paper they ever sent me cuz Im terrified of them coming after me years later. I got 1 of these notices too but when I finally got through to someone they said it was sent by mistake and I dont actually owe anything!! Try calling the Collections number instead of the regular one - 866-697-4831. Thats how I got through to a real person on my first try last week!! They can check if you actually owe anything.

i got the same letter last month. dont stress to much, its probably nothng. when i finally got thru they said it was a system error and closed the case. ESD is always sending out random notices becuz there computers are from 1985 lol

There's a service called Claimyr that might help if you're still having trouble getting through to ESD. I was in the same boat a few months ago with an incorrect overpayment notice. I spent days trying to call with no success, then used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 In my case, the agent was able to see that my overpayment notice was generated in error and removed it from my account while I was on the phone. Saved me weeks of stress and prevented the collections process from starting.

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now. Got a notice saying I owe $3,400 from 2024 claims. I've spent HOURS trying to get through on the phone with no luck. The letter doesn't even explain what I supposedly did wrong! When I look at my eServices account, there's nothing about an overpayment showing up there, which makes me think it's their system error. Has anyone had success with the appeals process? I'm wondering if I should just file an appeal now instead of wasting more time trying to call them.

This happened to me to!!! I got a notice saying I owed $1200 for "unreported earnings" but I NEVER worked during that period! I was able to resolve it by going IN PERSON to the WorkSource center in Lynnwood. They couldn't fix it directly but they helped me get connected to someone who could. If you're near any WorkSource center, that might be easier than calling. Bring all your documentation with you!

I'm still dealing with an ESD overpayment from 2023. They claimed I was overpaid by $4,600 even though I reported every single cent I earned. Been fighting them for 8 months now. Just FYI - if you file an appeal, it DOES stop collections activities but only until they make a decision. My case is still ongoing and it's been a nightmare. Document EVERYTHING and good luck.

Try contactng your state rep!!!! That's what finally worked for me after 3 months of getting nowhere with ESD directly. Their office has special contacts at ESD and can expedite things. It's literally their job to help constituents with state agency problems.

QUICK UPDATE!! I tried calling that collections number that someone mentioned above (866-697-4831) and got through right away!! The agent confirmed it was a system error and I don't actually owe anything!! She said they're getting tons of calls about these notices that went out by mistake. Such a relief!!