ESD overpayment waiver review process - anyone get refunded after already paying back?

Yes, this is legitimate! I received a similar notice in January 2025 for an overpayment I had fully repaid ($12,700) from 2021-2022. After submitting my waiver application with all the financial hardship documentation they requested, it took about 10 weeks, but I did receive the full refund. The key is providing thorough documentation - bank statements showing reduced income, any medical bills, mortgage/rent statements, etc. The more you can document financial hardship, the better your chances. Make sure to call and confirm they received all your paperwork.

That's amazing to hear! Did you have to call multiple times to check on status? I'm worried about submitting all my financial info and then it just disappearing into the void. Did they direct deposit the refund or send a check?

dont trust em!!!! i got the same letter in november, filled everything out perfectly, and they STILL denied my waiver. said i

Did you appeal the denial? You have 30 days to request a hearing with OAH. I had a friend who was initially denied but won on appeal because ESD couldn't prove he should have known he was ineligible at the time.

I work with people navigating ESD issues, and these waiver refunds are definitely legitimate. In the last few months, I've seen several clients receive refunds ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 for overpayments they had already repaid. Here's my advice:\n\n1. Keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit\n2. Follow up every 2-3 weeks to check status\n3. If you get denied, immediately file an appeal\n4. Make sure your current mailing address and banking info are up to date in your ESD account\n\nThe refund process is slow but real. If approved, most people receive direct deposits within 2-3 weeks after approval.

Thank you for the detailed information! I'll definitely start following up in a couple weeks. I'm just nervous because my experience with ESD has been so inconsistent - one agent tells me one thing, another says something completely different.

Has anyone had luck getting through to ESD about this? I also got a waiver letter but I've called 13 times this week and can't get past the automated system. Always says \

I was having the same problem until I tried Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that gets you through to an actual ESD agent. I was skeptical, but it worked for me last week when I needed to check on my waiver status. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Way better than spending days getting hung up on.

i applied for the waiver in March and just got my refund this week! $7,845 direct deposited to my account. took forever (11 weeks) but it finally came through. i had to upload my tax returns from the benefit year and proof that i lost my job due to covid. they never contacted me during the review - it just showed up in my account! keep checking your account every few days.

Did you have to report the refund as income on your taxes? I'm wondering about the tax implications if I get approved for a refund.

honestly i have no idea about the tax part. didnt even think about that. maybe call a tax person? or check with esd when you can reach them?

Update: I called ESD today and actually got through after trying for hours! The agent confirmed my application is in review but couldn't give me a timeframe. She said they're processing waivers in the order received, and mine is

good luck!!! hope u have better luck than me. document EVERY conversation with them - get names and ID #s of everyone u talk to. they'll try to weasel out of it if they can

One more thing to be aware of - if your overpayment was due to fraud (like if someone else filed using your information), those are NOT eligible for waivers. But if it was a legitimate mistake or ESD's error, you should be good. Also, make sure you respond to any requests for additional information immediately - they only give you 5 business days to respond before potentially denying the waiver.

That's good to know. Mine wasn't fraud - they originally approved me when I was laid off, then a year later decided I didn't qualify for some technical reason I never fully understood. I'll keep checking my portal and mail daily to make sure I don't miss anything.