ESD taking $255 from weekly benefits for overpayment - too late to set up payment plan?

You can still set up a payment plan! I was in a similar situation last month with ESD taking $320 from my benefits for an overpayment. Call them directly and request to speak with someone in the overpayment department. They can stop the automatic deduction and set up a more manageable payment plan (mine is now $75/week). Also ask about the status of your waiver - they might have lost it or it might be sitting in someone's queue. If you're having trouble getting through on the phone, try Claimyr (claimyr.com). I used their service after trying for two weeks to reach someone. They got me through to an ESD agent in about 30 minutes. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Totally worth it to get this resolved quickly.

Youre not alone!! they been takin almost half my benefits for 2 months now. tried callin but always get disconnected wtf

ESD is SUPPOSED to notify you about your waiver request within 90 days. The fact that it's been over a year is ridiculous but unfortunately common. Their system is broken and they're short-staffed since the pandemic ended. You definitely need to contact them ASAP! In addition to a payment plan, you should re-submit your waiver AND ask for a retroactive refund of what they've already taken. Have documentation ready about your financial hardship. Don't wait - every week they take that money is another week you won't get it back easily!!

According to ESD regulations, you can request a payment plan at any time, even after recoupment has started. Call the Collections Unit at 888-444-3562 directly (bypass the main ESD line if possible). Be prepared with your financial information to show what you can reasonably pay. They typically approve plans between $25-100 per week depending on your circumstances. Regarding your waiver: request a written status update. If it was submitted over a year ago, it may have been denied without proper notification. You can submit a new waiver with updated hardship information. Make sure to specifically request that they PAUSE the current recoupment while your new waiver is being processed. Source: I went through this exact process in February and got my recoupment reduced from $230 to $50 weekly while my new waiver was being processed.

i thought wen they approve benefits they cant take money back??? my friend said overpayment waiver should stop them taking money at all if u got hardship

I successfully set up a payment plan last year after they had already started taking money from my benefits. I called the main ESD number around 7:58am (right before they opened) and got through after about 15 minutes. The representative was actually very understanding and helpful. She set up a $45/week payment plan instead of the $275 they were taking. It took effect on my very next payment! Definitely call them as soon as possible. Also, check your online account and see if there's any information about your waiver request in the letters/notices section. Sometimes they send responses there but don't mail anything.

my situation was kinda different but i had an overpayment of 4700 from 2023 and they were taking like 40% of my benefits every week. i called and cried on the phone lol and the lady helped me set up $35/week payments instead. you gotta just keep calling til u get a nice person

Just a heads-up - make sure you get ANY payment arrangement in writing! I had a verbal agreement with an ESD rep for a $50/week plan, but it never got properly entered into their system. Three weeks later they went back to taking the full amount. When I called again, they had no record of my previous arrangement. Always ask them to email you confirmation of any payment plan they set up.

Update on your waiver situation: ESD has been severely backlogged on processing waivers since 2023. If you submitted yours over a year ago, you should submit a new one with current financial information. The process should take 60-90 days, but as you've experienced, it often takes much longer. In the meantime, definitely pursue that payment plan. When you call, be prepared with: 1. Your current income from all sources 2. Your essential monthly expenses (rent/mortgage, utilities, food, medical, etc.) 3. The minimum amount you can reasonably pay each week Based on this information, they'll determine what's manageable for your situation. They can implement the payment plan immediately, even retroactively in some cases.