How long does it take to get my first unemployment check from Washington ESD?

Typically takes about 2-3 weeks from when you file your claim to get your first payment, assuming there are no issues. You also need to make sure you're filing your weekly claims every week starting the week after you file your initial claim. If Washington ESD needs to verify anything about your employment or separation, it could take longer.

It really depends on whether your claim goes into adjudication or not. Mine was straightforward and I got paid exactly 14 days after filing. But my friend's claim got flagged for some reason and she had to wait almost 6 weeks.

I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD when my payment was delayed. Spent hours on hold just to get disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent in under 10 minutes. They have this video demo that shows exactly how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Might be worth checking out if you run into issues and need to talk to someone.

Make sure you're doing your job search activities too! Washington ESD requires you to look for work and keep a log. If you don't do this, they can deny your benefits even if everything else is correct.

ugh the waiting is the worst part!! i filed 3 weeks ago and still nothing. my landlord is NOT happy

The Washington ESD system is so frustrating. I swear they make it complicated on purpose to discourage people from claiming benefits. Back in my day unemployment was handled by actual humans who cared about helping people.

Just wanted to update everyone - I got my first payment deposited today! It was exactly 16 days from when I filed my initial claim. So hang in there if you're still waiting.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Washington ESD doesn't pay you for your first week of unemployment, so your first payment will actually be for your second week of claims.

For anyone still having trouble getting through to Washington ESD about delayed payments, I really can't recommend Claimyr enough. I was going crazy trying to reach them on my own and this service got me connected immediately. Check out their demo video to see how it works.

Also make sure your direct deposit information is correct in your account! My friend had the wrong bank account number and her payment got delayed by another week while they sorted it out.

The key is to file your weekly claims on time every week, even if your initial claim is still processing. I made that mistake and lost two weeks of benefits because I thought I should wait until my claim was approved.

Mine took forever because they had to verify my wages with my previous employer. Apparently some companies are slow to respond to Washington ESD requests. If your employer doesn't respond quickly, that can delay everything.

just be patient everyone its a government system so of course its slow lol. at least we have benefits unlike some states

If anyone runs into issues where their claim seems stuck, definitely try that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. I used it when my claim went into adjudication and the agent was able to explain exactly what was happening and how long it would take. Made such a difference to actually talk to someone who knew what they were talking about.

Also remember that if you have any separation issues like being fired or quitting, that will likely trigger adjudication which adds several weeks to the process. Washington ESD has to investigate to make sure you're eligible for benefits.

The whole system needs an overhaul if you ask me. Taking weeks to process a claim when people need money immediately is just cruel. Other states manage to do it faster.

Pro tip: set up text alerts in your Washington ESD account so you get notified when your payment is processed. Saves you from constantly checking your account.

Just remember that even after your payment is processed, it can take 1-2 business days to actually show up in your bank account if you have direct deposit set up.

Thanks for posting this question! I'm in the same situation and all these responses have been really helpful. Good to know what to expect.

One last plug for anyone still struggling to reach Washington ESD - that Claimyr service (claimyr.com) really is a game changer. The peace of mind from actually talking to someone who can check your claim status is worth it. They show you exactly how it works in their demo video too.