Final thought - if anyone else is struggling to get through to Washington ESD about payment issues, that Claimyr service mentioned earlier is actually pretty good. Used it last week and got connected in under 30 minutes. Worth checking out if you're stuck.

I'm new to the unemployment system and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I just filed my first claim on Tuesday and was panicking when nothing showed up by Thursday. Reading everyone's experiences makes me realize this is totally normal timing. The stress of not knowing when payments will arrive is real when you're already dealing with job loss. Thanks for sharing all the practical tips about direct deposit vs debit card timing and checking correspondence - I never would have known to look for those things.

hang in there! the waiting is awful but most people do get approved eventually. just keep doing what you're supposed to do and try not to stress too much about the timeline

I went through this same anxiety last year when my claim was under review for 18 days. What helped me was setting up email notifications in my eServices account so I'd get alerts immediately when anything changed. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you have your separation notice and any other documentation from your employer easily accessible - sometimes they'll request additional info and having it ready can speed things up. The waiting is brutal but layoffs are usually pretty straightforward to process once they get to your file.

One thing to be aware of - if you applied for PFML through your employer, they might have reported information about your work history that conflicts with what you reported to ESD during COVID. The systems do sometimes cross-reference data when new applications come in, which could have triggered this review of your past benefits. It doesn't mean you did anything wrong, but it's likely why this is happening now rather than before. When you appeal, make sure to address any potential discrepancies in reported work hours or income between what your employer might have submitted and what you certified during your unemployment period.

This is a really stressful situation, but you're not alone - many people are dealing with these delayed overpayment notices. The good news is that PFML and ESD unemployment are completely separate programs, so your medical leave benefits should continue while you sort this out. Focus on three immediate steps: 1) Appeal the overpayment within 30 days (you still have time since you got the letter yesterday), 2) Request the overpayment waiver application if you believe you reported everything correctly, and 3) Gather all your documentation from 2020-2021 including pay stubs, work schedules, and your weekly certifications. The timing with your PFML application likely triggered a data cross-check that flagged something - this doesn't mean you did anything wrong. Take it one step at a time and don't let this derail your recovery process.

Make sure to file your weekly claims during this entire process, even while waiting for appeals. I've seen too many people win their appeals but then not get all their back benefits because they stopped filing weekly claims during the appeal period.

Hang in there! I went through something very similar last year - employer contested, lost at ALJ level, then appealed to Commissioner. The whole thing took about 8 months total but I did eventually get all my back benefits. The key thing that helped me was being super persistent about the benefits pending appeal. I had to call ESD multiple times and reference that specific RCW statute before they finally started my payments. Also, when writing your response to their Commissioner appeal, really hammer home the point that they had their chance at the ALJ hearing and chose not to participate. The Commissioner's office doesn't like employers who game the system like this. Document everything and don't let them wear you down - that's exactly what they're hoping for.

I'm sorry to hear you're dealing with this frustrating situation, Jason. The transition between UI and PFMLA can be confusing, and it sounds like you may have received conflicting information. From what I understand, when you apply for PFMLA while on unemployment, you typically do need to stop filing UI claims once your PFMLA claim is approved and benefits begin. However, the timing can be tricky - you want to avoid gaps in benefits but also avoid potential overpayments. The "able and available" adjudication likely triggered because the system flagged a potential conflict between claiming you're available for work (required for UI) while also having a medical/family leave situation that might make you unavailable (for PFMLA). Even though you answered that you were available all days, the system may have detected the PFMLA application. Unfortunately, adjudications can take several weeks to resolve - sometimes 6-8 weeks or more depending on their current backlog. I'd recommend: 1. Keep detailed records of all communications with ESD 2. Continue to respond to any additional questionnaires promptly 3. Consider calling back to speak with a supervisor if you feel you received incorrect guidance Has anyone else here successfully navigated the UI to PFMLA transition? Any tips for Jason on expediting the adjudication process?