This is a useful tip that many claimants don't know about. A few points of clarification from someone who handles these cases: 1. The Governor's office doesn't actually process your claim faster; they submit what's called a "legislative inquiry" to ESD, which flags your claim for immediate review by a specialist. 2. This works best for claims stuck in processing limbo, not for claims with legitimate adjudication issues that need resolution. 3. The current adjudication backlog is approximately 4-6 weeks, which is actually improved from last year's 8-10 week backlog. 4. Always check your ESD portal first for any pending issues that might require your input. For those who prefer to speak directly with ESD but can't get through on the phones, state WorkSource offices can sometimes help, or services like Claimyr that help connect you with agents.

thanks for sharing!! just called them and they took all my info. hope it works for me too!!

I had a very similar issue last month. After trying unsuccessfully to reach someone by phone for days, I went to my local WorkSource office in person. They couldn't directly fix my claim issues, but the staff member was able to submit an internal message to ESD on my behalf flagging my account for urgent review. Within 3 days, I received a call from an ESD adjudicator who explained the issue and helped resolve it. Might be worth trying if you live near a WorkSource office.

One last thing to try: check if there's a new "Questionnaire" or "Fact-finding" item in his eServices account. Sometimes these don't trigger notifications but have deadlines. If you find one, complete it ASAP and call to let them know it's done. Also, even if your benefits are currently disqualified, KEEP FILING the weekly claims without interruption. If the disqualification is reversed (which happens often when it's a system error or misunderstanding), you can only get back-payments for weeks you properly filed claims for.

One more critical tip: When you get your hearing notice, it will tell you how to submit evidence. Make sure you share all evidence with both the Office of Administrative Hearings AND your former employer by the deadline (usually 1 week before). If you miss this step, the judge might not consider your evidence. Also, prepare a clear, chronological statement about what happened. Practice explaining your situation concisely - judges appreciate when you can present your case in an organized way without rambling. Focus on facts rather than emotions, even though I know this is a stressful situation. Good luck with your appeal!

has anyone had their employer just not show up to the hearing? mine didn't bother coming to the call and the judge basically had to rule in my favor since they couldn't prove their case without being there lol

Just wanted to add my experience - I had my overpayment waived last year and got back the money I'd paid, but completely forgot about two weeks that never got paid during the investigation. When I realized it months later and called about it, they told me it was too late to claim those weeks. Apparently there's some time limit (I think 30 days?) after your eligibility is confirmed to request those unpaid weeks. So definitely don't wait to contact them!

One more suggestion - when you do get through to ESD, ask for a claims specialist who is familiar with overpayment waivers and redeterminations. Not all agents are equally knowledgeable about this specific situation. If the first person you speak with seems unsure, politely ask to be transferred to someone who specializes in post-waiver claims processing. Also, if you run into resistance, mention RCW 50.20.190, which is the Washington state law governing unemployment overpayments and waivers. The fact that your waiver was approved establishes that you were eligible for benefits during that period, which should apply to all weeks during your eligible period.

i dont understand why ESD is doing this to so many people years later!!! its like they gave us the money when we needed it then changed the rules after the fact. my cousin had to set up a payment plan for $15,000 even though she did everything right. the system is broken!!!!!

One important detail to add about your waiver request: make sure you explain that you relied on the benefits in good faith and have already spent the money on necessary living expenses. The financial equity waiver is particularly strong when you can demonstrate that: 1. You had no reason to believe you were receiving benefits incorrectly 2. You used the money for basic needs, not luxury items 3. Repayment would cause significant financial hardship now 4. You've made efforts to resolve the situation Be very specific about your current financial situation - include your monthly income and expenses, any savings you have, and any debts or other financial obligations. The more concrete your hardship description, the stronger your case. Also, don't be discouraged if your initial waiver is denied. Many people succeed on appeal or reconsideration.