Can I file for ESD benefits after getting a job but before first paycheck?

First off, congratulations on the new job! Yes, you can absolutely continue filing weekly claims until you receive your first paycheck. You'll need to report your hours worked each week (even if unpaid), and your benefits will be reduced according to the hours/earnings. Make sure you accurately report your work hours starting on Feb 6th, even though you haven't been paid yet. ESD calculates eligibility based on when you WORK, not when you get paid. So your benefits will likely reduce or stop after you start working, regardless of when the paycheck arrives.

congrats on the new job! i had this exact situation last year. u do have to report the hours u worked even if u havent been paid yet, so ur benefits will prob stop once u start the job. its annoying but thats how the system works. make sure u report honestly or they might hit u with an overpayment later!!!

This is one of ESD's most frustrating policies. You must report hours worked in the week you work them, regardless of when payment occurs. If you work full-time hours (32+ hours/week), you'll be considered fully employed and ineligible for that week, even with zero dollars in your bank account. A few important points to remember: 1. You MUST continue filing weekly claims during this transition period 2. Report ALL hours worked accurately 3. Answer "YES" to the question about looking for work until your first day 4. After you start, answer "NO" to looking for work and provide your employment details 5. ESD will automatically calculate your benefit reduction based on reported hours If you don't receive your full wages when expected, you can potentially file a wage claim with L&I, but that doesn't help with the immediate income gap.

I'm going through the same thing right now! Started my job on January 15th but don't get paid till the 5th of February. ESD disqualified me as soon as I reported my hours worked - even though I literally have $0 income for 3 weeks. I called and called but couldn't get through to anyone at ESD to explain my situation. The system is completely insensitive to the reality of starting a new job with delayed pay schedules. I ended up having to use credit cards to survive the gap.

There's actually some nuance here that others haven't mentioned. The ESD handbook states that you must report HOURS WORKED when you work them, but here's the important part: if your employer has an established, regular pay schedule that results in your first check being delayed, you should document this. In rare cases, ESD may consider this when determining your eligibility during the transition period. That said, in most cases, once you start working full-time hours, your benefits will stop regardless of when you get paid. The system is designed for tracking work activity, not cash flow. It's definitely one of the most difficult transitions in the unemployment system. I'd recommend calling ESD directly to explain your situation and see if there are any special provisions that might apply in your case. Sometimes they can provide guidance specific to your situation that isn't clear in the general rules.

The rules are clear: you report hours when WORKED not when PAID. Your benefit eligibility ends when you start working full-time (32+ hours/week), period. No exceptions. I worked at WorkSource for 5 years, and this is one of the most common misunderstandings. The unemployment system was never designed to bridge pay gaps - it's to support people without work, not people who are working but awaiting payment. That said, there are other resources you can look into for the gap period: 1. Some utility companies offer payment plans 2. Local community action agencies sometimes have emergency assistance funds 3. If you explain the situation to your landlord with proof of employment, many will work with you 4. Some credit unions offer "bridge loans" specifically for this situation But don't expect ESD to pay benefits once you're working full-time hours, regardless of your pay schedule.

i heard if u call esd and explain ur situation sometimes they make an exception but good luck getting thru to them lol took me 2 WEEKS of calling to reach a person last time

Update: I called ESD this morning (took forever to get through) and confirmed what most of you said. I have to report my hours when worked even if unpaid, and once I start my full-time job, my benefits will stop regardless of when I get my first paycheck. The agent suggested I look into local emergency assistance programs to help bridge the gap. I've already talked to my landlord who's willing to accept a partial payment now and the remainder when I get paid, and I'm checking with my utility companies about payment extensions. Thanks everyone for your help and advice! This transition is stressful but at least I know where I stand with ESD now.