Can I keep filing weekly ESD claims until first paycheck from new job arrives?

Congrats on the new job! But no, you can't claim benefits until your first paycheck arrives. ESD requires you to report ANY work when it's performed, not when you get paid for it. As soon as you start working, you must report those hours and earnings on your weekly claim, even if you haven't been paid yet. If your earnings exceed your weekly benefit amount, you won't receive benefits for that week. The system is based on when you WORK, not when you GET PAID. Sorry :

you dont have 2 report the job until you actually start working. so this week ur fine 2 claim normal. next week when u start working youll report the hours/days worked even if u didnt get paid yet. ESD doesn't care when u get paid only when u did the work

To be precise: 1. You don't report accepting a job offer, only actual work performed 2. The week you start working, you must report ALL hours worked that week on your claim 3. When reporting work, ESD will ask for your gross earnings (before taxes) 4. If your gross earnings for a week are less than your weekly benefit amount, you may receive partial benefits 5. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you'll receive no benefits for that week 6. Once you work full-time (normally 40 hours), you're considered fully employed even if earnings are low So for this current week before you start, claim normally. For the first week you work, report all hours and earnings accurately. The ESD system will calculate if you're eligible for partial benefits. Also, be aware the job search requirements (3 activities per week) continue until you're fully employed.

In my experience with ESD last year, they consider you fully employed once you start full-time work, regardless of when your first paycheck comes. It sucks but that's how the system works. I was in the same boat and had to borrow money from family to cover those weeks between starting my job and getting paid.

I was in almost exactly your situation in January - new job but 3 week pay gap. I tried calling ESD to explain but spent HOURS trying to get through. Never reached anyone. Finally I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me connected to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent confirmed what others said here - once you start working, you have to report it even without getting paid yet. BUT she also told me I could apply for partial benefits during those weeks if my hours were reduced from normal. It didn't help in my case because I was working full-time hours immediately, but worth checking if you'll be starting part-time or with reduced hours.

Hold on - I think everyone's missing something important. You asked if you have to report that you ACCEPTED a job on this week's claim. The answer is YES! There's a question that asks if you refused any work or failed to apply for any work - accepting work but not reporting it could potentially be seen as misrepresentation. When I accepted a job but hadn't started yet, I added a note in the comments section explaining I'd accepted work but hadn't started yet. Better safe than sorry with ESD!

Everyone here is mostly right but missing ONE important detail - the 'waiting week'!!!! If you've been on unemployment for a while you already served it, but if this is newer for you, Washington has a mandatory one-week waiting period where you don't get paid benefits. So if you're just starting unemployment AND a new job, that could impact things. Also make sure you're checking your correspondence in eServices because sometimes they send important notices there that don't come through email!!!!

UPDATE: I talked to an ESD agent this morning and got clarification. They confirmed I don't need to report accepting the job on this week's claim, only when I actually start working. Once I start working, I'll need to report my hours and earnings even though I won't be paid yet. Since my new job is full-time (40 hours), I won't be eligible for any benefits once I start, regardless of when I get my first paycheck. Basically there will be a 3-week gap with no unemployment and no paycheck. The agent suggested I contact local community organizations for emergency assistance if needed. Thanks everyone for your help! I'll start looking into local resources to help bridge the gap.