How much do I owe Washington ESD unemployment - overpayment calculation help

The letter mentions weeks 15-28 of 2024 but doesn't show what I was paid vs what I should have been paid. Should I call them or is there a form to request the breakdown?

Both options work, but calling will be faster if you can get through. The form takes weeks to process.

How did you get them to recalculate? Did you have to appeal or just provide documentation?

I had to submit pay stubs and my work schedule to prove what I actually earned. They corrected it without needing a formal appeal.

How much does that service cost? I'm already worried about owing money and don't want to spend more if I don't have to.

It's worth it when you consider the time you'll save not sitting on hold for hours. Plus getting accurate info about your overpayment could save you hundreds if there's an error.

I reported all my work but I'm wondering if they made an error with my base year wages. How would I check that?

Log into your SecureAccess Washington account and check your monetary determination. Compare the wages listed to your actual W-2s and pay stubs from your base year.

Did you ever get it sorted out? I'm starting to panic about this whole thing.

Yeah but it took forever. Had to submit like 20 different documents and call them multiple times.

This is good advice. I wish I had known this when I got my overpayment notice.

Thank you, this helps me know what specific information to ask for when I call.

The letter mentions something about a 15% penalty but I can't tell if that's included in the $4,200 or on top of it.

Penalties are usually added separately unless it's fraud-related. Make sure to ask for a breakdown that separates the base overpayment from any penalties.

I've been calling Washington ESD for two weeks straight with no luck. Maybe I should try this too.

It's definitely worth it when you're dealing with overpayment issues. Getting the right information upfront can save you a lot of money and stress.

They're required to provide the calculation details if you request them, but unfortunately the initial notice often lacks specifics.

That's exactly the problem! The system is set up to make it hard for people to challenge their calculations.

That's good to know. I definitely can't pay $4,200 all at once even if I do owe it.

Yeah, they'll work with you on a payment plan. Just make sure you get the calculation verified first before agreeing to any payment arrangement.

Oh wow, that's scary. How did you figure out it was a mistake?

I noticed the SSN on the paperwork didn't match mine completely. Had to provide my ID and proof of my actual claim history.

I only had one claim in 2024, but I did have a brief claim in 2023. Could they have mixed those up?

It's possible. Make sure the dates on your overpayment notice match your actual 2024 claim period.

Did he end up having to pay the full amount or were they able to reduce it?

he got it reduced to like $2000 after proving some of their calculations were wrong

Good point. My notice is dated two weeks ago, so I need to act fast if I'm going to challenge this.

Exactly. Even if you just need more time to gather evidence, you can file an appeal to preserve your rights while you investigate.

I know, right? It's so stressful getting a bill like that out of nowhere.

That's exactly how I feel. I keep wondering what I did wrong when I tried to follow all the rules.

I'm convinced. I'll try it tomorrow since I can't waste any more time on hold.

I'm going to look into this too. I need to talk to someone who can actually explain what's going on with my account.

Thanks for all the help everyone. I feel much more prepared to tackle this now instead of just panicking about the bill.

You're welcome! Remember, you have rights in this process. Don't let them pressure you into paying something that might be incorrect.

I really hope so. I'll update the thread once I get some answers from Washington ESD.

Please do! These threads help other people who run into similar situations.

Absolutely investigate. These notices are frequently incorrect or inflated.

Don't be scared like I was. There are people who can help you figure it out.

Thanks! I learned so much from everyone's responses. This community is really helpful.

That's what we're here for. Dealing with unemployment issues is stressful enough without having to figure everything out alone.