One more tip - if you're doing regular 1099 work, consider setting up a simple spreadsheet to track your hours and earnings each week. Makes the weekly claim filing much easier.

Just to add another perspective - I've been doing freelance graphic design while on unemployment and one thing that really helped me was calling Washington ESD during off-peak hours (like Tuesday mornings around 8 AM). I was able to get through and confirm exactly how to report project-based 1099 work where the hours aren't as clear-cut as traditional employment. The agent told me to estimate hours based on industry standards for the type of work I'm doing. Also, make sure you understand that if you have a really good week with 1099 income, it might make sense to spread the work across multiple weeks if possible to maximize your combined unemployment + freelance income. The partial benefit system really does help if you plan it right.

This isnt at all related to your question but make sure you do your 3 job search activities every single week!!! i missed one week and my claim got messed up and took like a month to fix

I went through this exact situation when I was laid off from my tech job in 2023. The key thing to remember is that ESD cares about when you EARNED the money, not when you received it. Your sick pay was earned during your employment period, so even though the check arrived during your claim week, you don't report it for that week. I was paranoid about getting it wrong too, so I kept detailed records of everything - copies of my final paystub, the layoff notice, and I even took screenshots of my bank deposits with dates. When I filed my first weekly claim, I reported $0 for income since I hadn't worked any hours that week, and I never had any issues with ESD about it. The one thing I'd suggest is keeping that final paystub handy in case ESD ever asks for documentation later. But based on everything I experienced and what the handbook says, you're good to report $0 for that claim week.

Just wanted to add my voice to say hang in there. I know it's scary but you're not alone in this situation. Keep reaching out for help and don't give up on finding something better.

I went through this exact situation about 18 months ago and it was terrifying at first. After my 26 weeks ended, I had to get creative - I started doing gig work (DoorDash, Instacart) to cover immediate expenses while continuing my job search. It's not steady income but it helped bridge the gap. I also applied for emergency rental assistance through my county and got help with utilities through LIHEAP. The key is to apply for multiple forms of assistance at once rather than waiting for one to be approved or denied. It took me about 2 months after benefits ended to find permanent work, but the combination of gig work and assistance programs kept me afloat. Don't be too proud to ask for help - that's what these safety nets are for.

Just wanted to add - make sure you have a quiet space and stable internet connection when you file. The application can take 30-45 minutes and you don't want to get kicked out halfway through due to connectivity issues. Also, try to file during off-peak hours (early morning or evening) when their servers are less likely to be overloaded. I learned this the hard way after getting timed out twice during busy afternoon hours!

I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago and I totally understand how overwhelming it feels! Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: gather ALL your employment info before you even start the application - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, wages, and reason for leaving for the past 18 months. Having everything organized in front of you makes the process so much smoother. Also, don't stress too much about getting every single detail perfect - you can always provide clarifications later if needed. The most important thing is just getting that initial claim filed ASAP since your benefit week starts when you file, not when you lost your job. You've got this!

I went through something similar last year and know how overwhelming it can feel. The first thing to understand is that overpayments can happen even when you've done everything right - sometimes it's due to employer disputes filed months later, or even processing errors on Washington ESD's end. The key is to not panic and take action quickly. You mentioned you followed all the rules and were honest, which puts you in a good position if you need to appeal. Make sure you understand exactly why they're claiming an overpayment occurred - you have the right to a detailed explanation. If the amount seems wrong or the reasoning doesn't make sense, definitely consider filing an appeal within the 30-day window. Many people have successfully gotten overpayments reduced or eliminated entirely when they can show the determination was incorrect.

I'm going through this exact situation right now and it's absolutely terrifying. Got a letter last week saying I owe back $3,400 from unemployment I received 7 months ago. Like you, I thought I did everything correctly - reported all my job searches, didn't work while claiming, answered all their questions honestly. The worst part is the letter doesn't even explain what I supposedly did wrong, just lists dates and dollar amounts. I've been calling Washington ESD every day trying to get answers but can never get through to a human being. The automated system just keeps telling me to call back later or visit their website, which doesn't have any useful information about my specific case. I'm a single mom working part-time and there's no way I can come up with almost $3,500. This whole thing is making me sick to my stomach.