How long it takes to get unemployment check from Washington ESD - still waiting 2 weeks

Usually takes 2-4 weeks for first payment after filing your initial claim. The system has to verify your employment history and calculate your benefit amount. Keep filing your weekly claims even if you haven't gotten paid yet.

Check your payment method settings in your Washington ESD account. Sometimes there are issues with direct deposit setup that can delay payments. Also make sure you don't have any outstanding issues flagged on your claim.

I had the same anxiety when I filed. If you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your payment timeline, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Really saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.

Your first unemployment payment is typically delayed because Washington ESD needs to verify your wages with your previous employer. This can take 10-14 business days from when you file. After that, regular weekly payments should come faster - usually within 2-3 business days of filing your weekly claim.

THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN! I waited 6 weeks for my first check and they never explained why. Washington ESD doesn't care about people struggling to pay bills. They make you jump through hoops and then act like they're doing you a favor.

mine took forever too but eventually came through. just keep filing weekly claims

Also worth noting that if you worked in multiple states or had unusual employment situations, it can take longer for Washington ESD to process your claim. The computer systems have to cross-reference data from different sources.

One thing to watch out for is making sure you're available for work and actively job searching. If there are any flags on your account about work search requirements, that could delay payments even after your claim is approved.

If you do need to call Washington ESD about your payment, seriously consider using that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked. Saved me so much frustration trying to get through their phone system.

The timing varies a lot. My sister got her first payment in 10 days but my neighbor waited almost a month. Seems like it depends on how busy they are and whether there are any complications with your claim.

Just to clarify the process: After you file your initial claim, Washington ESD sends a determination letter within 1-2 weeks. Then they verify your wages with employers, which can take another 1-2 weeks. Only after all that do they issue your first payment. So 2-4 weeks total is normal.

Don't forget that even after your first 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.

Washington ESD is so understaffed they can barely keep up with processing claims. The whole system needs an overhaul. People are struggling and they act like it's no big deal to make you wait weeks for money you're entitled to.

If you're really concerned about the timing, you can also check the Washington ESD website for any current processing delays. They sometimes post notices about system issues or higher than normal claim volumes that might affect payment timing.

Hang in there OP. I know the waiting is stressful but 2 weeks isn't unusual. Keep filing your weekly claims and the money should come through soon. Once you get that first payment, the rest usually follow a more predictable schedule.

Just got my first unemployment payment last week after waiting 18 days. The direct deposit hit my account on a Wednesday morning. Once it starts flowing, the weekly payments are much more reliable.

One more plug for Claimyr if you need to call - their system worked great for me when I had questions about my benefit amount calculation. Much better than trying to navigate Washington ESD's phone tree yourself.

Final thought - make sure you're continuing to file your weekly claims even while waiting for your first payment. If you miss filing a weekly claim, you could lose eligibility for that week's benefits, which would delay everything even more.

Hope you get your payment soon OP. The financial stress while waiting is real. At least you know you're not alone in dealing with these delays.

update us when you get your first payment! always curious how long it actually takes for different people

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 12 days ago and still waiting for my first payment. The uncertainty is really stressful, especially when you're trying to budget for basic expenses. It's somewhat reassuring to read that 2-4 weeks is normal, but when you're in the middle of it, every day feels like forever. I've been checking my account obsessively hoping to see some movement. Has anyone found any reliable way to track where your claim is in the verification process, or do we just have to wait it out?