Confused about waiting week - filed first claim but ESD says current week is waiting week?

This is actually correct and a common misunderstanding! The waiting week is the first week you file a weekly claim, not the week you submit your initial application. So yes, your first weekly claim becomes your waiting week, which means you won't get paid for that week, and your first payment will come after you file your second weekly claim (assuming everything else is in order).

The week you initially APPLY is just setting up your claim. Your waiting week is officially the first week you're eligible and file a weekly claim. It's confusing because some people apply and claim the same week, while others (like you) applied one week and started claiming the next. You won't get paid for the waiting week - that's WA state law. Your first payment will come after you file your second weekly claim, typically 2-3 days after filing if you have direct deposit set up.

ur fine, thats normal. i did same thing in october. u apply first THEN claim ur weeks. first claimed week = waiting week. no money for that 1. sucks but its the rules

THIS IS WHY THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! Nobody explains this clearly and then people end up WAITING EXTRA WEEKS for money they desperately need!!! I had the EXACT same issue last year and the ESD website is so confusing about it. They should make this way more obvious in the application process!!! I ended up having to explain to my landlord why my rent was late because I thought I'd be getting paid a week earlier than I actually did.

This confused me too! When I applied in 2025, I assumed my waiting week was the week of my initial application, but it's actually the first week you claim. I couldn't get through to ESD on the phone for days to confirm this (kept getting busy signals or disconnected). I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes who explained exactly how the waiting week works. They have a video demo here if you're interested: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 - it helped me get clarity on several issues with my claim.

Just sharing my experience - I lost my tech job in November and thought the same thing! Applied for UI on a Monday, thought that was my waiting week, then filed my first weekly claim the following Sunday and got confused when it said waiting week. Called ESD (took forever to get through) and they explained the first week you CLAIM is the waiting week. So you're right on track! Budget for your first payment to come after your SECOND weekly claim.

To answer your follow-up question: no, you won't get a double payment. You'll simply get your first payment for week 2 (the week after your waiting week). The waiting week is unpaid - think of it as a deductible for unemployment insurance. Just make sure you're completing your job search activities each week (3 per week) and documenting them correctly!

I remeber going thru this last year... my husband too. we were both like where is the $$$ lol. Yeah the waiting week is your first weekly claim not when you apply for benefits initially. so yah you gotta wait longer thgan expected which is just GREAT when your already broke and needing money right??