Update: I just got a letter from OAH with my appeal date! It's scheduled for July 12th, so about 5 weeks from when I filed the appeal. Now I'm super nervous and trying to gather all my documentation. Really appreciate all the advice everyone has shared - I feel much more prepared now. I'm still filing my weekly claims and doing job searches as recommended. Fingers crossed this works out.

Just wanted to add something that really helped me during my appeal - when documenting your case, don't just focus on what changed about your job duties. Also document how these changes affected your ability to do your work successfully. For example, if they suddenly required sales skills you didn't have, note that in your timeline. The judge wants to see that the changes made it unreasonable for you to continue in the position. Also, if you have any written communication where you tried to discuss these concerns with management before quitting, that's gold. It shows you made good faith efforts to resolve the situation first. One more thing - when you get your hearing notice, it should include instructions on how to submit documents in advance. Do this if possible! It makes the hearing go much smoother when everyone has the paperwork already.

Great discussion here. The key takeaway is that unemployment insurance costs are spread out over time and across multiple factors. Your individual claim is unlikely to have a dramatic impact on any employer's bottom line, despite what they might tell you.

As someone who's been on both sides of this (filed unemployment and now work in benefits administration), I can confirm what others have said - your former employer is likely exaggerating the impact. Washington ESD's experience rating system is designed to be predictable and fair. A single claim from someone who was legitimately separated typically has minimal effect on an employer's tax rate. The system looks at patterns over multiple years, not individual claims. Don't let them guilt you out of benefits you've earned - that's exactly why the unemployment insurance system exists in the first place.

One last thing - make sure your address and contact information is up to date with Washington ESD. They'll need to be able to reach you during the claims process.

I'm also a DACA recipient and went through this process last year when I was laid off from my marketing job. Can confirm that you're absolutely eligible! The process was straightforward - I just needed my EAD card and Social Security number like everyone else. Washington ESD didn't give me any issues about my DACA status at all. The only thing I'd add is to make sure you're familiar with the WorkSourceWA website since you'll need to register there for job search activities. Best of luck with your claim!

anyone know what happens if u just dont pay it back? asking for a friend lol

I'm in a similar situation but with a smaller amount ($3,200). Got my notice in January and have been putting off dealing with it because I'm terrified. Reading through all these responses is actually giving me hope that there might still be options. I was definitely eligible when I applied - lost my job at a hotel during the lockdowns and genuinely needed the help. Now they're saying something about "incorrect wage base period" which makes no sense to me. Has anyone here had success with overpayments related to wage base period issues specifically? I'm going to start the waiver process this week but want to know if this type of issue is even waiverable. Also, for those who got approved - how long did the whole process take from start to finish? I'm trying to plan financially in case this drags on for months. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences here. It's scary going through this alone and not knowing what to expect.

Update us on how your claim goes! I'm always curious to hear how smooth the Washington ESD process is for different people.

I went through this exact same worry when I lost my job last year! The anxiety about immigration consequences really got to me, but everyone here is absolutely right - unemployment insurance is completely separate from public charge considerations. The fact that you've been paying into the system through your payroll taxes means you've literally earned these benefits. I ended up filing my Washington ESD claim and had no issues whatsoever. The hardest part was actually getting through their phone system, but the online application worked fine for me. Don't let the fear keep you from getting the financial support you need while job hunting!