ESD overpayment waiver from pandemic still pending after 8 months - what now?

Yes, waivers ARE getting approved, but the timeline is incredibly slow right now. ESD has a massive backlog of these pandemic-related waiver requests. I submitted mine in May 2024 for a similar work search documentation issue and just got approval last month. Here's what helped me: 1. Call ESD directly to check the status (I know, nearly impossible to get through) 2. Send a secure message through your eServices account specifically asking for a status update on your waiver 3. Make sure you've submitted ALL financial documentation showing hardship 4. If you get a collections notice, immediately respond with a letter stating your waiver is pending Also, they should not be moving to collections while a waiver is pending review - that's their own policy. Make sure to reference that if you get collection notices.

OMG SAME BOAT!!! i got a $5200 overpayment notice in october, they said i didnt qualify for some reason even tho they APPROVED ME back then???? makes no sense. filed waiver right away and radio silence for 6+ month. called like 50 times and cant get anyone. my anxiety is thru the roof cuz im a student now and have no $ to pay this back!!!

If ur still waiting after 8 months something might be wrong with ur application. My cousin got his waiver approved in 10 weeks. Maybe call and make sure they have all the docs they need? Sometimes stuff gets lost in their system.

The whole system is RIGGED. They approved everyone during the pandemic without proper verification, then years later decide "oops we made a mistake" and demand thousands back from people who spent that money SURVIVING. I got a $12,300 overpayment notice and my waiver has been "pending" for 9 months. They don't care about us. They're probably auto-denying most waivers hoping people just give up and pay.

I finally got my overpayment waiver approved last month after waiting 7 months. What finally worked was using Claimyr to get through to an ESD agent. I was skeptical at first, but after months of not being able to reach anyone, I tried it out of desperation. The service connected me to an ESD agent in about 25 minutes instead of me calling hundreds of times. The agent was able to tell me my waiver was actually approved but the system hadn't updated yet, and they manually updated my account status. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 or go to claimyr.com. Seriously worth it after months of stress.

To answer your question - yes, they explained that there was a communication gap between their decisions department and the system that updates our online accounts. The agent told me that many approved waivers are sitting in a queue waiting to be processed into the system, so the online status doesn't reflect the actual decision. I'd definitely suggest trying to speak with someone directly because your waiver might already be approved!

Let me share my timeline to give you some perspective: • September 2024: Received $6,230 overpayment notice • October 2024: Submitted waiver with all financial documentation • October-February: Complete silence, portal showed "pending" • March 2025: Called 20+ times, finally got through, was told "still in review" • April 2025: Received collections warning despite waiver pending • April 2025: Submitted formal complaint through Governor's office • May 2025: Waiver approved, all debt forgiven The key was filing the complaint through the Governor's office. Within two weeks of that complaint, my waiver was suddenly approved. Maybe coincidence, but I don't think so. The system is overwhelmed, and sometimes you need to make noise through official channels.

I filed the complaint online through the Governor's official website. I kept it factual and unemotional - just listed the timeline, noted that ESD's own policies state they shouldn't pursue collections while a waiver is pending, and explained the financial hardship the situation was causing. I emphasized that I wasn't contesting the overpayment determination itself, but rather the excessive delay in processing the waiver and the threat of collections despite a pending waiver. I think the key is to be specific about policy violations rather than just expressing frustration.

One more thing to note - if your overpayment was due to an ESD error rather than any misrepresentation on your part, make sure that's prominently mentioned in all your communications. The pandemic-era rules were changing constantly, and many overpayments are because ESD initially told people one thing and then changed their interpretation later. This is especially true for the work search requirements, which were waived and then reinstated at different points. Document exactly when you filed, what the rules were at that time, and how you followed the guidance available then. This can strengthen your waiver case significantly.