How long does it take to get your unemployment money from Washington ESD?

It depends on whether your claim gets flagged for adjudication or not. If it's straightforward with no issues, you should see your first payment within 2-3 weeks after filing. But if there are any red flags like job separation issues or wage discrepancies, it can take much longer.

took me 4 weeks to get my first check last year, but that was because they had to verify my work history with my previous employer

The standard timeline is 2-3 weeks for the first payment if everything goes smoothly. However, Washington ESD has been dealing with high volumes lately, so some claims are taking longer than usual. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the initial decision - you won't get paid for weeks you don't file.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual person. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made a huge difference when I was stuck in limbo for weeks.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A JOKE!!! I've been waiting 6 weeks for my first payment and every time I call they say 'still processing' with no timeline. Meanwhile my bills are piling up and I can't get a straight answer from anyone at Washington ESD.

From my experience, if your claim is straightforward it's usually 2-3 weeks. But COVID really messed up their systems and they're still catching up. The key is making sure you file those weekly claims religiously even while waiting.

Mine took exactly 18 days from filing to first payment. I kept a spreadsheet tracking everything because I was so anxious about the timing.

just a heads up that the first payment is usually smaller than you expect because it doesn't include the waiting week. took me by surprise when i got mine

Check if you qualify for any emergency assistance programs while you wait. Some local food banks and utility companies have programs for people waiting on unemployment benefits.

I've been using Claimyr to stay on top of my claim status. Worth every penny when you're stressed about money and can't get through to Washington ESD on your own. The peace of mind is huge.

Pro tip: if you're doing direct deposit, make sure your bank info is 100% correct. A friend of mine had to wait an extra 2 weeks because one digit was wrong in his routing number.

The waiting is the worst part. I remember constantly refreshing my bank account and checking my mail every day. Try to stay busy and remember that it will eventually come through.

If you're really desperate, some credit unions offer small emergency loans for people waiting on unemployment. Might be worth checking into if you have bills due soon.

Washington ESD payments usually come on Tuesdays or Wednesdays if you're on direct deposit. Just something to keep in mind when you're watching for it.

Whatever you do, don't stop filing your weekly claims while you wait. I made that mistake thinking I'd start after approval and lost 3 weeks of benefits.

The system is definitely slow but it does work eventually. Hang in there and keep filing those weekly claims. Your first payment will include all the back weeks you're owed.

One more plug for Claimyr - when I was in your situation, being able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD made all the difference. They could tell me exactly where my claim stood instead of just guessing from the online portal.

Just want to add that everyone's timeline is different. I've seen people get paid in 10 days and others wait 2 months. Try not to compare your situation to others too much.

Make sure you're checking your eServices account regularly for any notices or requests for additional information. Sometimes claims get delayed because people miss important messages.

The good news is that once your first payment comes through, the weekly payments after that are usually pretty consistent and on time. It's just that initial wait that's brutal.