How to write an appeal letter for Washington ESD unemployment overpayment - need help with format

I went through this exact same thing last year. The key is to be very specific in your appeal letter. You need to include: 1) Your name and Social Security number at the top, 2) The determination number from your overpayment notice, 3) A clear statement that you're appealing the overpayment determination, 4) Your reasons for disagreeing with their decision, and 5) Any supporting documentation you have. Make sure to send it within 30 days of the notice date or you'll lose your right to appeal.

Been there too, it's so stressful. When I got my overpayment notice I was panicking because I couldn't figure out what I did wrong either. The letter format doesn't have to be fancy - just make it clear and organized. Start with something like 'I am writing to formally appeal the overpayment determination dated [date]' and then explain your side of the story.

You might want to try calling Washington ESD first to get more details about exactly what they think you didn't report. I know their phone lines are always busy, but if you can get through to someone they can sometimes explain the overpayment calculation better than the notice does. I've had good luck using Claimyr.com to get through to an actual agent - it's a service that calls for you and connects you when someone picks up. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

The most important thing is to be completely honest about what happened and provide documentation to back up your claims. If you genuinely reported all your work correctly, then gather every piece of evidence you have - pay stubs, work schedules, your weekly claim history, anything that shows you were truthful. Washington ESD makes mistakes too, and if you can prove you followed the rules, they'll usually reverse the overpayment.

ugh i hate dealing with this stuff. got an overpayment notice too but mine was only like $600. still annoying though. do you have to pay it back while the appeal is pending or can you wait?

I'd recommend looking at your online account first to see if there are any details about which weeks they're questioning. Sometimes the overpayment notice is vague but your account will show more specific information about what triggered the review. Log into your SecureAccess Washington account and check your benefit payment history.

Make sure you keep copies of everything you send to Washington ESD and send your appeal letter certified mail so you have proof they received it. I learned this the hard way when they claimed they never got my first appeal letter. Also, be prepared for the process to take a while - mine took almost 3 months from start to finish.

Just went through this process myself last month. Here's the exact format I used for my appeal letter: Date at the top, then 'Washington State Employment Security Department, Appeals Division' with their address, then 'RE: Appeal of Overpayment Determination - [your determination number]'. In the body, I wrote 'I hereby appeal the overpayment determination issued on [date]. I disagree with this determination because [your reasons]. I have attached supporting documentation including [list what you're including].' Keep it simple and factual.

whatever you do dont ignore it. my friend got an overpayment notice and just hoped it would go away. they ended up garnishing his wages and he had to pay the whole thing plus penalties. even if you think you might lose the appeal its worth trying

One thing to consider is whether you might have made an honest mistake in your reporting. Sometimes people think they reported correctly but there was a misunderstanding about the requirements. For example, if you worked during a holiday week or had irregular hours, the reporting requirements can be confusing. If that's the case, you can still appeal and explain that any error was unintentional.

Just wanted to follow up on the Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier - I used it again yesterday to get through to Washington ESD about a different issue and was connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. Way better than the 2+ hours I usually spend on hold. Might be worth using if you want to get more details about your overpayment before writing the appeal letter.

The Washington ESD appeals process is actually pretty fair if you have documentation to support your case. I've seen lots of people win their appeals when they can prove they followed the rules. The key is being thorough with your evidence and clear in your explanation. Don't assume they'll automatically side against you - they really do review each case individually.

Also remember that if you lose the appeal at the first level, you can appeal again to an Administrative Law Judge. That's a more formal hearing process, but it's another chance to present your case. Don't give up after the first appeal if you really believe you're right.

been through this whole mess twice now and won both times. the trick is to be super organized with your paperwork and really specific about dates and amounts. dont just say 'i reported everything correctly' - show them exactly what you reported and when. makes all the difference

This might be a dumb question, but do you send the appeal letter to the same address that's on the overpayment notice? I'm paranoid about sending it to the wrong place and missing the deadline.

I'm dealing with a similar situation but mine is about job search requirements, not unreported work. The appeal process is the same though - 30 days to file, include all your documentation, be clear about why you disagree. It's nerve-wracking but manageable if you stay organized.

One more tip - if you have any emails or messages from Washington ESD about reporting requirements, include those in your appeal too. Sometimes their own guidance can help prove your case. I had an email from them that basically said I was reporting correctly, and that was key evidence in my successful appeal.

just remember that even if you lose the appeal you might be able to set up a payment plan instead of paying the whole amount at once. washington esd is usually willing to work with people on repayment terms. but definitely try the appeal first since you might not owe anything at all

I won my overpayment appeal last year and the biggest thing that helped was getting a phone call with Washington ESD first to understand exactly what they thought I did wrong. Once I understood their reasoning, I could address it directly in my appeal letter. That Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier sounds like it could be really helpful for getting through to talk to someone.