ESD sent 1099-G tax form for $430 from 2025 but I haven't received benefits since 2020

This is likely an identity theft situation. Unfortunately, it's become common with ESD claims. You need to: 1) Report the potential fraud to ESD immediately through their fraud reporting portal, 2) Check your credit reports for any suspicious activity, 3) File a police report for documentation, and 4) Contact the IRS to let them know you didn't receive these benefits so you don't end up paying taxes on them.

SAME THING happened to me last year!!! ESD is SO incompetent its not even funny. They sent me a 1099-G for $2800 that I NEVER received and I had to spend MONTHS getting it fixed. The worst part is they kept telling me different things every time I called (when I could even get through). The 1st person said file a fraud claim, the 2nd said it was a mistake, the 3rd said I actually DID get the money?!?! Absolute nightmare.

sometimes these forms are sent out for repayments or offsets from previous claims. did you have an overpayment from your 2020 claim that maybe got processed recently?

I had a similar issue trying to get this resolved and couldn't get through to ESD for weeks. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual ESD agent in about 30 minutes. Saved me hours of frustration. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. With identity theft issues like this, you really need to talk to someone directly at ESD rather than just submitting online forms.

Before assuming identity theft, double-check that this isn't related to a past adjustment or audit of your 2020 claim. Here's what you should do: 1. Log into your ESD account and check for any recent activity or notices 2. Look at the reporting period on the 1099-G - sometimes they're issued for adjustments to previous years 3. Call ESD at 800-318-6022 (be prepared for long wait times) 4. If you can't verify it's legitimate, file a fraud report at esd.wa.gov/fraud If it's fraud, also submit an Identity Theft Report with the FTC at identitytheft.gov and contact all three credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit reports. For tax purposes, request a corrected 1099-G from ESD showing $0 benefits once they confirm the fraud.

When I had this happen, I discovered someone had used my SSN to file for benefits in my name. ESD fraud department was actually pretty helpful once I finally reached them. They investigated and sent me a corrected 1099-G showing $0 for that tax year so I didn't have tax issues. Make sure you keep detailed records of all communications about this issue - dates, names of representatives, case numbers, etc. You'll need this paper trail if there are any issues with your taxes.

my brother got a 1099G last year for benefits he never got too... turns out some company in florida had been using his ssn!! definitely report it asap

ALSO be ready for ESD to be completely useless about fixing this. When I finally got through after trying for WEEKS, they said they'd send a corrected form in 10 business days. NEVER CAME. Had to call AGAIN. Then they sent it to my old address even though I updated my info! Absolute clown show. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING and be prepared to follow up constantly.

One important note: Even while you're sorting this out with ESD, you should contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to let them know about the potentially fraudulent 1099-G. They can flag your account so that if someone tries to file a tax return using your information, it will be flagged for review. Also, check with the Social Security Administration to make sure your reported wages for the year are accurate.

sometimes its not fraud, just esd being dumb. my friend got a 1099g for the wrong year because they applied an overpayment refund to the wrong tax year. check your correspondence in your esd account maybe?

After you report the fraud, you'll want to get a copy of your full ESD account record. You can request this through a public records request on their website. This will show all claim activity under your SSN, including what address and bank account information was used for the fraudulent claim. This evidence is super helpful for clearing things up with the IRS too.

maybe the $430 is some kind of adjustment from your old claim? like did you ever appeal anything from back then?