ESD overpayment waiver processing time - stuck in limbo for months
I submitted an overpayment waiver request to ESD back in January after getting hit with a $5,800 notice saying I was overpaid benefits from last summer. It's now April and I haven't heard a single thing about my waiver status. The online portal just shows 'pending review' with no updates. I've tried calling ESD at least 15 times but can't get through to anyone who knows anything about waiver timelines. Is this normal? How long did your overpayment waiver take to process? I'm really stressing because they've started sending collection notices even though I submitted the waiver months ago.
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CosmicVoyager
mine took 9 WEEKS!! and then they denied it anyway 🤬 ESD is the absolute worst
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Isabella Ferreira
•9 weeks?! I'm going on 12 weeks now with zero communication. Did they at least stop sending collection notices while your waiver was pending?
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Ravi Kapoor
Overpayment waivers typically take 10-14 weeks to process in 2025 due to the backlog. However, they should have paused any collection activities once your waiver was received. You need to contact an ESD agent specifically about getting a temporary hold on collections while your waiver is pending review. Make sure your waiver included all necessary financial hardship documentation - bank statements, bills, rent/mortgage info, etc. Without complete documentation, they'll put your waiver at the bottom of the pile or automatically deny it. You should also verify they actually received your waiver. Sometimes they get submitted but don't get properly attached to your claim.
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Isabella Ferreira
•Thanks for the info. I did include all my financial docs showing hardship, and I got a confirmation number when I submitted it. But it's concerning that collections haven't stopped. I'll keep trying to reach someone.
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Freya Nielsen
I just went through this exact mess. My waiver took FOREVER then got denied for some bogus reason about "not providing sufficient evidence" even though I sent everything! I appealed and it took another 2 months but they finally approved it. Don't give up!
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Omar Mahmoud
•This is actually quite common. The initial waiver review often results in denial, but appeals have a much higher success rate. Make sure to retain all documentation of financial hardship and be prepared to present evidence at your appeal hearing. I recommend requesting a phone or video hearing rather than in-person, as it's easier to organize your documents.
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Chloe Harris
Are you sure you sent it to the right department? The overpayment waiver needs to go to the Collections department specifically, not just general ESD. My friend had the same problem and it turned out her waiver was sitting in the wrong queue for months.
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Isabella Ferreira
•I submitted it through the online portal in my eServices account where the overpayment notice appeared. There was a button for "Request Waiver" that I clicked. Is that not the right way?
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Diego Vargas
I had success getting through to ESD using Claimyr after weeks of failed attempts. I was in the same situation with my overpayment waiver stuck in limbo for months. The service connected me to an actual ESD agent in about 20 minutes who put a hold on collections while my waiver was pending. Worth checking out their video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 or their website claimyr.com if you're desperate to talk to someone about your waiver status.
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CosmicVoyager
•does that actually work? i thought those services were scams
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Diego Vargas
•It's definitely not a scam - they just help you get through the phone system. I was skeptical too but it saved me from having my wages garnished while my waiver was processing.
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NeonNinja
Sorry to jump in with something slightly different, but has anyone had their waiver denied and then successfully appealed? I'm waiting on my appeal decision after my waiver was denied last month. The whole process is so confusing!!
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Ravi Kapoor
•Yes, waiver appeals often succeed when the initial request fails. The key differences: 1) Appeals are reviewed by the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) not ESD directly, 2) You get to present your case to a judge rather than just submitting paperwork, and 3) You can bring additional documentation that might not have been included initially. The success rate for appeals is around 60-65% compared to only 30% for initial waivers.
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CosmicVoyager
its criminal how they can just demand thousands back with no warning and then take forever to process waivers!!! my friend had his tax refund seized while waiting for a waiver decision and esd said 'oops sorry' but never gave it back
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Omar Mahmoud
•If your tax refund was seized while a waiver was pending, you can request a refund of those funds if the waiver is ultimately approved. It requires filing form ESD-800-084 and providing proof the collection occurred after your waiver submission date. There's a 90-day deadline for requesting this refund after waiver approval.
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Isabella Ferreira
Update: I finally got through to ESD this morning after calling right when they opened. They confirmed my waiver was received but said there's a 14-16 week processing time currently! The agent was able to put a temporary hold on collections for 30 days, which helps a little. She suggested I send in additional documentation about my financial hardship to strengthen my case. Going to gather more paperwork now.
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Ravi Kapoor
•Great! That 30-day hold is crucial. Make sure to call back before it expires to get it extended if your waiver still hasn't been decided. For additional documentation, focus on demonstrating that repayment would cause significant financial hardship - include your current income, all expenses, any dependents, medical issues, housing insecurity risks, etc. The more comprehensive, the better your chances.
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