How do you receive unemployment payments from Washington ESD?

Washington ESD gives you a few payment options. Most people get a debit card (KeyBank card) mailed to them automatically. You can also set up direct deposit through your online account if you prefer that. Payments are weekly if you file your weekly claims on time.

ugh the KeyBank card is such a pain, they charge fees for everything. I switched to direct deposit after getting hit with ATM fees constantly

To set up direct deposit, log into your SecureAccess Washington account and look for 'Payment Method' or 'Direct Deposit' in your profile settings. You'll need your bank account and routing numbers. Just remember you still have to file weekly claims every week to get paid - the payments don't happen automatically.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to ask about payment setup, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of busy signals when I needed to update my payment info.

Just to add - payments usually hit your account/card on Tuesdays or Wednesdays if you file your weekly claim by Sunday night. Sometimes there are delays during holidays.

Whatever you do, don't lose track of filing your weekly claims. I missed one week and it was a nightmare trying to get it backdated. Washington ESD makes you jump through hoops to fix missed claims.

The whole payment system is confusing at first but once you get into the routine it's pretty straightforward. File weekly claim Sunday, get paid Tuesday/Wednesday, repeat.

make sure you keep all your payment records too, sometimes washington esd screws up and you need proof of what you were paid

One more thing - if you choose direct deposit, make sure your bank account info is correct. Wrong account number means your payment goes nowhere and it takes forever to fix.

I've been on unemployment for 8 months now and still use the KeyBank card. Yeah there are some fees but it's convenient and I don't have to worry about bank account changes affecting my payments.

Just remember that Washington ESD payments are taxable income. You can have taxes withheld automatically or pay them later, but don't forget about taxes when you're budgeting.

To summarize for OP: 1) You'll get a KeyBank debit card automatically in 7-10 days, OR you can set up direct deposit in your SecureAccess WA account 2) Start filing weekly claims immediately - don't wait for the card 3) Payments typically arrive Tues/Wed after filing by Sunday 4) Keep records of everything 5) Consider tax withholding

If you run into any issues with payment setup or delays, definitely try that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Getting through to Washington ESD customer service is brutal without help.

Pro tip: set up text or email alerts for your weekly claim filing. Washington ESD sends reminders but it's easy to forget and miss the deadline.

been getting unemployment for 3 months now, payments are pretty reliable once you get the system down. just dont expect customer service to be helpful if something goes wrong lol

One last thing - if you move during your unemployment period, make sure to update your address immediately. Payment delays happen when addresses don't match.

Overall the payment process isn't too bad once you understand it. The hard part is getting approved in the first place! Sounds like you're past that hurdle.

Welcome to the unemployment club nobody wants to be in! But seriously, this thread has good advice. The payment system works fine once you get it set up.

Final reminder: your first payment might be for multiple weeks if there was a delay in processing your claim. Don't panic if the amount looks higher than expected - check your payment history to see the breakdown.

Good luck with everything! The Washington ESD system has its problems but the payments are consistent once you're in the routine. Just stay on top of your weekly filings.