Economy

Follow coverage of the U.S. and global economy, jobs and unemployment; banking; interest rates and other decisions by the Federal Reserve (Fed) and Chair; and economic indicators such as the gross domestic product (GDP), factory orders and durable goods. Other topics include the federal budget deficit and national debt, and local economic columnist Jon Talton.

Thousands of WA workers remain trapped in unemployment overpayments

David Ullman, photographed at Martha Washington Park in Seattle on Friday, June 2, 2023, is mired in a dispute with the Employment Security Department over benefit overpayments. Roughly 115,000 who ESD says were overpaid in benefits during the pandemic are now being asked to collectively repay roughly $1 billion. Many don’t know about a waiver program.

Amid concerns of recession and more layoffs in Washington later this year, the state’s unemployment system is still dealing with the burdens of the pandemic.

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