Do you get paid every week for unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

You file weekly claims but get paid every other week in Washington. So you'll file a claim this week and next week, then get paid for both weeks together. The payment usually comes 2-3 business days after you file your second weekly claim.

It's bi-weekly payments but weekly filing requirements. I learned this the hard way when I thought I could skip a week lol

The payment schedule can be confusing at first. You file weekly claims every Sunday through Saturday, but Washington ESD processes payments bi-weekly. Your first payment might take longer because they need to verify your claim isn't under adjudication.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to ask questions like this, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to actual agents. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of busy signals when I needed to check on my payment delays.

So just to confirm - I file every week but only get paid every other week? That seems weird but I guess it makes sense for processing.

make sure you do your job searches too, they check that stuff now more than they used to

I've been getting unemployment for 2 months now and yeah it's every other week. Direct deposit usually hits my account on Wednesdays if I file both weeks on time.

The Washington ESD payment system is actually pretty reliable once you understand it. Just don't miss your weekly filing deadlines and you'll get paid regularly every two weeks.

been on unemployment 3 different times over the years and it's always been bi weekly payments. never changes

I'm still waiting for my first payment after 3 weeks. My claim got stuck in adjudication and I can't get anyone on the phone at Washington ESD to explain what's happening.

Does anyone know if holiday weeks affect the payment schedule? Like if there's a federal holiday?

The system is confusing at first but you get used to it. File every week, get paid every other week. Just set reminders so you don't forget to file.

One thing that tripped me up - even if you work part time during a week, you still need to file your weekly claim and report those earnings. They'll adjust your benefit amount but you don't skip filing.

washington esd really needs to make this clearer on their website. took me forever to figure out the payment schedule

Just want to emphasize - NEVER miss your weekly filing deadline. I missed one week because I was sick and lost that entire week's benefits. There's no make-up option unless it was their system that was down.

For anyone still confused: File weekly (every week), Get paid bi-weekly (every other week), Payment comes 2-3 days after filing your second week, Direct deposit is faster than checks

I've been helping people with unemployment questions for years and this payment schedule confusion comes up constantly. The key is remembering that filing frequency and payment frequency are different things in Washington.

glad this thread exists, was wondering the same thing when i started my claim last month

One last tip - if your payment seems wrong or missing, don't wait weeks to call. The sooner you contact Washington ESD about payment issues, the easier they are to fix. And if you can't get through on the phone, there are services that can help you connect.