This is exactly what I needed to understand! I was so worried that I'd have to wait a whole week before I could even start the process, but now I see it's just that first week won't be paid. It's still frustrating when you're already stressed about money, but at least I know what to expect. I'll make sure to file that first weekly claim even though I won't get paid for it, and I'll start tracking my job search activities right away. Thanks everyone for breaking this down - the Washington ESD website really doesn't explain it clearly at all.

I just went through this exact same confusion when I filed my claim three weeks ago! The waiting week really threw me off too. What helped me was thinking of it this way: you're still "in the system" and following all the rules from day one, but Washington state just withholds payment for that first week. It's like they're testing to make sure you're serious about being unemployed and following through with all the requirements. The good news is that once you get past that first unpaid week, payments come pretty regularly if your claim is approved. Just remember to keep doing those 3 job search activities and log them in WorkSourceWA even during your waiting week - I made the mistake of thinking I could slack off that first week since I wasn't getting paid anyway, but you definitely can't!

Update: I called my bank this morning and they were actually super helpful! They moved my auto-drafts to Monday and waived the change fee since it's holiday-related. Also filed my claim right at midnight and got the confirmation email already. Thanks for all the advice everyone! Guess I'll find out Friday if the money shows up or not. Fingers crossed!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been on unemployment for almost a year now - the holiday payment delays are definitely real but not as bad as some people make them out to be. I keep a simple spreadsheet tracking my payment dates and here's what I've noticed: Thanksgiving week: Usually 1 day delay (Wednesday becomes Thursday, Thursday becomes Friday) Christmas/New Year: Can be 2-3 days depending on how the weekends fall Memorial Day, Labor Day, July 4th: Usually just 1 day The key is never cutting it close with bills during holiday weeks. I always assume worst case scenario and plan accordingly. Also pro tip - if you're really desperate, some credit unions will give you a small emergency loan against your expected unemployment deposit. Saved my butt last Christmas when ESD had a "system glitch" that delayed payments an extra 3 days. Hope everything works out for you! The stress is real but you'll get through it.

I'm also new to the PFML process and this thread has been incredibly informative! I just wanted to add my recent experience for anyone else who might be in a similar situation. My claim was approved last Friday and I received my first deposit on the ReliaCard this past Tuesday - so it was 2 business days, which matches what a lot of people are reporting here. One thing I learned that might help others is that you can actually sign up for email notifications through your Paid Leave account to get alerts when your weekly claim status changes. It saved me from constantly logging in to check if my status had updated from "pending" to "approved." You can find this option under account settings if anyone is interested. Also wanted to echo what others have said about keeping up with your weekly filings - it's easy to think you're all set once you see "approved" but you definitely need to keep filing every week to continue receiving benefits. The system will remind you, but it's good to stay on top of it. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and tips - it really helps reduce the anxiety when you're dealing with this for the first time and just want to know when you can expect some financial relief!

This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm actually going through my first PFML claim right now and was feeling so lost about the whole process. My claim just switched to "approved" status yesterday and I was panicking about when I'd actually see any money. Reading everyone's experiences here gives me so much hope - it sounds like I should expect to see a deposit within the next few days if the 2-4 business day pattern holds true. I chose the ReliaCard option too and was starting to wonder if I made the right choice, but based on what people are sharing here it seems like it actually might be faster than direct deposit in some cases. The tips about checking the balance online before the card arrives and setting up text alerts are game changers - I had no idea those options existed! I'm definitely going to look into those email notifications in my account settings that Malik mentioned, and I'll remember to call ReliaCard customer service if I don't see the physical card within a week or so. Thank you to everyone who's taken the time to share their timelines and practical advice. This is exactly what I needed to hear to calm my nerves about budgeting during this leave. It's so much better getting real experiences from people who've actually been through this recently!

I'm really sorry this happened to you - getting laid off from a new job after just 3 weeks is such a gut punch, especially when you've already made financial commitments based on having that income. The good news is that everyone here is right about being able to reopen your existing claim since you're still within your benefit year. I went through something similar about 8 months ago when I got laid off from a marketing job after only 6 weeks due to budget cuts. A few things that helped me when I reopened my claim: 1. Make sure you have your exact start and end dates from the new job ready - ESD will ask for these specifically 2. If you received any severance or accrued vacation pay (even though you mentioned no severance), report it accurately as it can affect your benefits timing 3. Keep that email from your manager about the contract loss - it's perfect documentation for why the separation happened One thing I wish someone had told me: even though you can reopen online, if you run into any hiccups or your claim seems stuck, don't hesitate to call. Yes, the wait times are brutal, but sometimes a 5-minute conversation with an agent can resolve what might take weeks through the automated system. Also, start your job search activities right away if you haven't already. The 3 weekly job contacts requirement kicks in immediately when you reopen, and it's better to be ahead of the game. You've got this! This is just a temporary setback, and your experience will help you land something even better.

I'm so sorry this happened to you - getting laid off after only 3 weeks must feel devastating, especially when you'd finally gotten back on your feet and signed that lease. Everyone's advice about reopening your claim is solid. I just wanted to add something that helped me when I was in a similar situation: consider reaching out to your local WorkSource office as well. They often have emergency resources and can sometimes expedite certain processes or connect you with additional support services while you're waiting for benefits to restart. Also, since you mentioned being in tech support, this might actually be a good time to leverage that recent 3-week experience. Even though it was short, you can still list it on applications and explain the situation honestly - most employers understand that layoffs happen, especially at smaller companies. The fact that you were brought on initially shows your skills are in demand. Don't let this setback make you doubt yourself. You landed one job, which means you'll land another. And having that email documentation about the contract loss will definitely help if ESD has any questions about the separation. Hang in there - this community has your back!

I've been dealing with a similar situation and wanted to share what worked for me. After trying the phone lines for weeks with no luck, I visited the WorkSource office in Tacoma. While they couldn't directly modify my claim, the staff there helped me understand exactly what documentation Washington ESD needed and walked me through submitting it properly through SecureAccess Washington. They also showed me how to navigate the messaging system more effectively. It took about 10 days after that visit to get my adjudication resolved. Don't give up - sometimes you just need someone to help you figure out the right steps to take!

I went through something similar last month and ended up having success with a combination approach. First, I visited the WorkSource office in Federal Way (they were really helpful and less crowded than Seattle). The staff there couldn't change my claim status but they helped me identify what specific information Washington ESD was waiting for regarding my separation from my employer. Then I used the secure messaging system through SecureAccess Washington to submit the additional documentation they recommended. It took about 12 business days to get a response, but my adjudication was finally resolved. The key was having someone at WorkSource explain exactly what ESD needed in plain English - the online instructions were confusing. I'd definitely recommend trying a WorkSource office first before paying for any third-party services. Bring your claim confirmation number, any letters from ESD, and employment records if you have them.