What happens if you collect Washington ESD unemployment while working - got caught and scared

You need to stop filing claims immediately and contact Washington ESD right away to report this. Yes, this is considered unemployment fraud if you didn't report your work earnings. The longer you wait, the worse it gets. They can impose penalties of up to 50% of the overpayment amount plus interest.

this happened to my cousin last year. Washington ESD found out through wage records and she had to pay back everything plus penalties. They don't mess around with this stuff

I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about my own claim issues. The phone lines are constantly busy and I can never get through to an actual person. If you need to contact them urgently about this fraud issue, you might want to try Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a service that helps you actually reach Washington ESD agents without waiting on hold forever. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Might be worth it for something this serious.

Working while collecting unemployment isn't automatically fraud - you CAN work part-time and still receive benefits IF you report it correctly. The problem is you didn't report the wages on your weekly claims. Washington ESD allows you to earn up to a certain amount before they reduce your benefits. You should have been reporting every penny you earned.

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO TRAP PEOPLE LIKE YOU! They make the rules so confusing that honest people make mistakes and then they come after you like criminals. It's all about collecting money from working people who are just trying to survive.

Update: I tried calling Washington ESD this morning and couldn't get through after 2 hours of trying. Going to try that Claimyr thing someone mentioned. Has anyone actually used it successfully?

You won't go to jail unless it's a massive amount or you have a pattern of intentional fraud. Most first-time cases like yours result in an overpayment notice, penalties, and possibly disqualification from future benefits. But you need to address this immediately.

same thing happened to me but with DoorDash. thought since it was gig work it didn't count. WRONG. Had to pay back $3200 plus penalties. The sooner you call the better

Call Washington ESD immediately and also stop filing your weekly claims until you sort this out. Don't make the hole deeper while you're trying to climb out of it.

The penalties are brutal but they might work with you on a payment plan if you're honest about the mistake. Document everything - when you worked, how much you earned, etc. You'll need those details when you talk to them.

Washington ESD cross-references wage data with employers quarterly, so they would have found out eventually anyway. Better that you're coming forward now rather than them discovering it first.

Stop panicking and just deal with it head on. Mistakes happen, they're not going to ruin your life over a few thousand dollars. Pay it back and move on.

My sister went through this exact same thing in 2023. She owed back about $2800 plus penalties. Washington ESD let her set up a payment plan for $150/month. Took forever to pay off but at least it was manageable.

Quick question - were you working at the restaurant before you filed for unemployment or did you start after? That might affect how they handle it.

Whatever you do, don't try to hide it or make up stories. Washington ESD investigators deal with this stuff all day and they can spot lies immediately. Honesty is your best policy here.

Final update: I used Claimyr and actually got through to Washington ESD today! The agent was understanding about it being an honest mistake. I have to pay back $1,847 in benefits plus a $369 penalty, but they're letting me do a payment plan. No criminal charges or anything. Thanks everyone for the advice and for not making me feel like a complete criminal.