Filed last week - anyone received ESD payment yet for April claims?
So I filed my unemployment claim last Thursday after getting laid off from my warehouse job. The system accepted everything fine and my status shows as 'processing' on my eServices account. Just wondering if anyone else who filed around the same time (last week) has actually gotten paid yet? This is my first time on unemployment in WA state and I have no idea how long payment usually takes. The handbook says something about a waiting week but I'm not sure if that applies to me since I had a severance check from my company. Stressing about making rent next month!
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Isabella Tucker
i filed tuesday last week and my payment just hit my account this morning. u probly have to wait for your waiting week to be done which is 1 week no payment after u file.
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Emma Swift
•Thanks for the info. Did you have to do anything special to get it processed that quickly? My status still says processing and I'm getting worried.
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Jayden Hill
The waiting week is required for all new UI claims in Washington, regardless of severance pay. Your first eligible week will be the week after you filed, assuming you complete all requirements (including job search activities). Severance pay may affect your benefit amount though - ESD considers it income for the week(s) it covers. You should see payment about 2-3 business days after filing your weekly claim, once your initial application is approved. Make sure you've done your three job search activities!
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Emma Swift
•I didn't know I had to start the job search activities right away! I thought that came later. Do I need to report those somewhere in the weekly claim?
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Jayden Hill
•Yes, you need to perform and document three job search activities each week you claim benefits, starting with your first week. You must keep track of these in your job search log (either the ESD form or your own records). You don't upload them weekly, but ESD can audit you anytime and request to see them, so keep good records. When filing weekly claims, you'll be asked if you completed your required job search activities - always answer truthfully.
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LordCommander
my cousin filed back in february and it literally took them THREE WEEKS to get his first payment!! the system is completley broken right now they're dealing with a huge backlog from all the recent tech layoffs. good luck!
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Lucy Lam
I filed my initial claim about 3 weeks ago and it's STILL stuck in adjudication hell!!! They're saying something about my employer disputing my hours or whatever. I've called the ESD number like 30+ times and NEVER get through to a human being. This is RIDICULOUS!!! How are people supposed to survive when the system is this broken??? Been on hold for 2+ hours multiple times only to get disconnected.
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Aidan Hudson
•Sorry you're having such a frustrating experience. Have you tried using Claimyr? It's a service that helps you get through to an ESD agent without waiting on hold forever. I was in a similar situation last month and it saved me from losing my mind. You can check out how it works at claimyr.com or watch their demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. They basically hold your place in line and call you when an agent is available to take your call. My adjudication issue got resolved the same day I finally talked to someone.
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Zoe Wang
A few things to remember with ESD payments: 1. Waiting week is mandatory for all new claims (no payment for first week) 2. Weekly claims must be filed each week AFTER the week ends (Sunday-Saturday) 3. Payment processing usually takes 2-3 business days after filing weekly claim 4. Direct deposit is faster than debit card 5. Your claim can still be processing while you file weekly claims Are you sure your claim is in "processing" status and not "pending" or "adjudication"? Those terms mean different things in the ESD system. If it's just regular processing, you should be fine. If it shows pending or adjudication, there might be an issue that needs resolving.
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Emma Swift
•It says 'processing' right now. I'm doing direct deposit so hopefully that helps speed things up. I'm confused about the waiting week though - does that mean I don't get paid for the first week I'm unemployed? Or the first week after I file?
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Zoe Wang
•The waiting week is the first week you're eligible and file a claim. So if you filed last Thursday, that partial week (Thursday-Saturday) plus the following full week (Sunday-Saturday) will likely be your waiting week. You don't get paid for the waiting week, but you must complete all requirements during it (including job search activities) to be eligible for benefits starting the following week. It's essentially an unpaid qualification week.
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Connor Richards
My boyfriend filed in April too and his claim went to adjudication because his previous employer tried to say he quit instead of being laid off. He had to upload all these documents proving he was laid off. It took almost a month to get resolved but he eventually got backpay for all the weeks. Hope yours goes through faster!
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Isabella Tucker
also make sure u didnt mess up ur work search info. i forgot to put down a phone # for one of my job applications and they put my whole claim on hold for 2 weeks last time. such bs
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Emma Swift
Update: Just checked my account and it's moved from 'processing' to 'pending issue' overnight. Looks like I might be heading to adjudication too. This is so stressful. Does anyone know if I can still get backpay for these weeks if it takes a long time to resolve?
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Jayden Hill
•Yes, if your claim is eventually approved, you'll receive backpay for all eligible weeks (except the waiting week). Keep filing your weekly claims even while your claim is in adjudication or pending status. This is very important - if you stop filing weekly claims, you won't receive payment for those weeks even if your claim is eventually approved. Also check your ESD account alert/message center regularly, as they may request additional information.
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Lucy Lam
KEEP CALLING THEM!! The website updates are meaningless half the time. My claim was "pending" for weeks until I finally got through to someone who fixed it in like 5 minutes. Turns out it was just some stupid verification flag that could have been resolved immediately if they'd bothered to tell me about it. The whole system is designed to make people give up I swear.
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