I had the same exact problem a few months ago and it was so frustrating! The ESD email links are basically useless. What worked for me was going straight to WorkSourceWA.com like others mentioned, but I also want to add that if you're having trouble finding available appointments at your preferred location, try checking nearby offices too. Sometimes they have more availability and it's worth the extra drive to get it done before your deadline. Also, once you complete the appointment, it can take a few days for it to show up as completed in your ESD records, so don't panic if it doesn't update immediately. Keep that confirmation screenshot handy just in case!

Just want to echo what everyone else has said - this is such a common problem! I went through the exact same frustration a couple months back. The ESD email links are completely broken and their website integration with WorkSource is terrible. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here: if you're doing a phone/virtual appointment, make sure you test your phone or computer setup beforehand. My first appointment got marked as a no-show because I couldn't get the virtual meeting link to work properly and by the time I figured it out, the appointment window had passed. Had to reschedule and it delayed everything. Also, during the actual appointment, they'll walk you through setting up your WorkSource profile properly and show you how to use their job search tools. It's actually not as useless as I expected - some of the resources are genuinely helpful for finding jobs in WA state. Just make sure to take notes because there's a lot of information and you'll want to remember it for your ongoing job search requirements. Good luck everyone dealing with this mess of a system!

New claimant here too! I just filed my first weekly claim this past Sunday and I'm in the same boat waiting to see when the payment hits. From reading all these responses, it sounds like Tuesday is the most likely day, but I'm planning for Wednesday just to be safe. One thing I noticed when setting up my claim is that ESD sends you email confirmations for pretty much everything - filing, payments processed, etc. So at least you'll get some notification when things are moving through the system. Fingers crossed we both get our payments on time! I'll try to remember to update this thread once I see my first deposit come through.

I've been claiming UI benefits for about 8 months now and wanted to share what I've observed about payment timing. The Sunday-to-Tuesday pattern is definitely the norm, but I've noticed a few other factors that can affect when you actually see the money: 1. Your bank's cut-off times matter - some banks process ACH deposits in the morning vs afternoon, so even if ESD sends it Tuesday, you might not see it until Wednesday 2. If there are any federal holidays during the week, everything gets pushed back a day 3. I've had a couple times where ESD's system had "maintenance issues" that delayed processing by 24 hours Since you mentioned your bills are due on the 5th, I'd definitely have a backup plan ready. Maybe contact your creditors ahead of time to let them know about potential timing issues? Most companies are understanding about unemployment payment delays if you communicate proactively. Good luck with your claim!

One last tip - keep detailed records of your reduced hours and earnings. If Washington ESD ever questions your claim, you'll have documentation to back it up.

Just wanted to add that Washington state is actually pretty generous with partial unemployment compared to other states. The fact that you can earn up to your weekly benefit amount plus $5 before losing all benefits makes it really worthwhile for people with reduced hours. I've helped several coworkers navigate this process and it's definitely worth filing even if you think your earnings might be too high - let Washington ESD do the math for you.

The bottom line is that every situation is different. What worked for someone else might not apply to your specific circumstances. The only way to know for sure is to file and let Washington ESD review your case. Don't assume you're not eligible without trying.

As someone who's been through this process, I want to add that timing really matters when you file. Washington ESD uses a "base period" that looks at wages from 12-18 months ago, not your most recent work. So even if you've been contracting for years, if you had W-2 wages during the right timeframe, you could still qualify. I'd recommend gathering all your wage statements from the past 2 years before you apply - you might be surprised what qualifies. Also, if you do get approved, remember that you'll need to report any contract income you earn while collecting benefits. It doesn't necessarily disqualify you, but it will reduce your weekly benefit amount.

Thanks for all this helpful info everyone! I just tried calling the number and got through right away. The automated system was really straightforward - just had to enter my SSN, PIN, and answer the standard questions about work availability and job search activities. Got my confirmation number and it only took about 4 minutes total. Much easier than I expected!

I've been filing by phone for about 6 months now and it's become my preferred method. One tip I'd add - if you have any earnings to report, have the exact dollar amounts ready before you call. The system won't let you estimate or round up/down, it needs the precise amount. Also, if you're reporting multiple employers for the same week, you'll need to enter each one separately with their specific earnings. Takes a bit longer but ensures everything is accurate for your claim.