Forgot to report Instacart earnings on ESD weekly claim - How to fix without getting penalized?

Don't panic! This happens more often than you think. You need to keep trying to contact ESD to report the error. While it's frustrating, being proactive about reporting the mistake is much better than waiting for them to discover it later. \n\nYou can also try sending a secure message through your eServices account. Go to your dashboard, click on 'Send a message' on the left menu, and explain the situation clearly. Include the week ending date, the amount you earned, and that you made an honest mistake. \n\nSince it's such a small amount, they'll likely just deduct it from a future payment rather than considering it fraud, especially since you're actively trying to report it.

Thank you! I didn't think about the secure message option. I just sent one with all the details about the Instacart work. Do you know how long they typically take to respond to messages? I'm still worried because my next payment is scheduled for tomorrow.

The EXACT same thing happened to me last month with some DoorDash earnings!!! I forgot to report like $67 and was FREAKING OUT for days!!! ESD phone lines are a complete joke. I tried for 2 weeks and never got through. Eventually I just reported it on my next weekly claim in the comments section where it asks if there's anything else you want to tell ESD. I wrote down what happened and the exact amount from the previous week. They adjusted my next payment (reduced it by what I earned the week before) and everything was fine. No fraud accusations or anything!

This is not the official recommendation. While you weren't penalized, the proper procedure is to contact ESD directly about the error. Adding notes in your next weekly claim is risky since those comments aren't always reviewed promptly. The official way is to either call or send a secure message through eServices.

if ur getting the high call volume message every time, try using Claimyr. it basically waits on hold for u and calls when an actual human picks up. worked for me last month when i needed to fix a mistake on my claim. their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. saved me literaly days of calling

Thanks for the suggestion! I've never heard of this service before. Did you have to wait long once they connected you? I'm wondering if it's worth trying since I already sent a secure message too.

nah once they got me thru i only waited like 2 mins before talking to someone. way better than the constant hangups. the esd person fixed my issue right away once i explained. secure messages can take like a week to get answered sometimes

The ESD system is DESIGNED to be impossible to reach!! They do this on purpose so they don't have to help people. I've been fighting with them for months about incorrect payments and can NEVER get through. It's been 11 weeks of them

This is so true. I had to call 37 times in one day before I got through last month. The system is completely broken.

just wondering how many hours did u work for instacart? i do side gigs too sometimes and get confused about how to report it properly

I worked about 4 hours total that day. The confusing part for me was calculating the actual earnings after expenses. I made $97 in app, but had to use my own gas and drive about 30 miles, so I figured about $15 for expenses.

That's the correct approach. For gig work, you should report your net earnings after deducting reasonable business expenses like mileage. Just make sure you keep good records of your expenses in case ESD ever requests documentation.

Here's what you need to do:\n\n1. Continue trying to contact ESD by phone, but also send a secure message through eServices immediately if you haven't already.\n\n2. Document your attempts to contact them (dates and times).\n\n3. Be aware that unreported earnings can result in an overpayment, but showing good faith by proactively reporting the error helps avoid fraud penalties.\n\n4. When you do reach them, explain it was an accidental omission and not an attempt to claim benefits you weren't entitled to.\n\n5. For the current week, continue filing your weekly claim as normal, making sure to accurately report any earnings.\n\nOne important thing to understand: ESD distinguishes between honest mistakes and willful misrepresentation. The fact that you're actively trying to correct the error demonstrates good faith. Once corrected, they'll likely just reduce a future payment to account for the unreported earnings.

Thank you for the detailed advice. I've already sent a secure message with all the details. I'll keep trying to call too, and I'm documenting everything. It helps to know they can differentiate between honest mistakes and fraud.

i had something similar happen back in february. forgot to report like $100 from a random one-day job. ended up getting through to ESD after like two weeks of trying. they were actually pretty nice about it, just adjusted my claim and that was that. no penalties or anything. just keep trying!

TWO WEEKS??? That's insane!!! The whole system is broken if it takes that long just to speak to someone about a simple mistake!!

I want to add one important point: Keep filing your weekly claims while you try to resolve this issue. Don't skip filing because of this problem, as that can create even more complications. Just be accurate with this week's claim, and continue your efforts to correct last week's.

Good reminder, thank you. I'll definitely keep filing my weekly claims as normal. My next filing is due this Sunday, and I'll make sure everything is accurate.

UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD this morning! I tried the Claimyr service that someone recommended here, and it worked. I was connected to an agent in about 25 minutes. The rep was actually very understanding about the mistake. She documented the earnings from Instacart and said they'll adjust my next payment to account for it. No fraud concerns since I reported it myself before they caught it. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

Great news! I'm glad you got it resolved quickly. This is exactly why it's important to be proactive about these situations.

awesome! glad it worked out for u. way better than waiting forever to get thru