How long till Washington ESD unemployment kicks in after filing?

Usually takes about 2-3 weeks from when you file until you get your first payment, assuming there are no issues with your claim. You still need to file your weekly claims during this time even if you haven't been paid yet.

It depends on if your claim goes into adjudication or not. If Washington ESD needs to verify your employment history or reason for separation, it can take 4-6 weeks or even longer. Check your account regularly for any pending issues.

I had a similar situation last year. If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD by phone to check your claim status, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach an agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Really helped when I was stuck waiting weeks without knowing what was happening with my claim.

OMG this is exactly what I'm going through right now! Filed 10 days ago and still nothing. The waiting is killing me, I have rent due next week and don't know what to do if the payment doesn't come through soon.

The whole Washington ESD system is so slow and frustrating. I've been through this process twice and both times it took forever. First time was 3 weeks, second time was almost 6 weeks because they had questions about my job separation. Make sure you have all your employment documentation ready in case they ask for it.

Just went through this whole process myself. Filed in early December and didn't get my first payment until after New Year's. The trick is to be patient but also stay on top of it. Check your account every day for updates.

For what it's worth, I got my first payment exactly 14 days after filing my initial claim. No issues, no adjudication, just straightforward layoff situation. So it can happen pretty quickly if everything goes smoothly.

The waiting period is brutal but don't panic yet. Washington ESD has to verify your wages with your employer and that can take time. As long as you're filing your weekly claims and there are no red flags, you should be fine.

been there done that, took 3 weeks for mine to kick in last year. just keep filing weekly and be patient, the money will come eventually

One thing to keep in mind - even if your claim is approved quickly, there's often a delay between approval and when the money actually hits your bank account or debit card. That can be another 2-3 business days on top of everything else.

I'm in week 4 of waiting and still nothing. My claim shows approved but no payments yet. Starting to wonder if I should try calling again or use one of those services to get through.

Just remember to keep filing your weekly claims no matter what. I made the mistake of thinking I didn't need to file one week because I hadn't been paid yet, and I lost that week forever. Washington ESD doesn't let you go back and claim missed weeks.

The whole system is designed to make you give up. Took me 7 weeks to get my first payment because they kept asking for more documentation. Don't let them wear you down.

mine kicked in after exactly 2 weeks, no problems at all. guess it depends on your situation

Just to summarize for the OP - typical timeline is 2-4 weeks if everything goes smoothly. Could be longer if your claim goes to adjudication. Keep filing weekly claims no matter what. And if you need to check on your claim status but can't get through by phone, there are services like Claimyr that can help you reach an actual person at Washington ESD.

One more tip - set up direct deposit if you haven't already. It's faster than waiting for a debit card to arrive in the mail. You can do it through your Washington ESD account online.

The uncertainty is the worst part. I remember checking my account obsessively every day waiting for some kind of update. Just try to stay busy with job searching and don't drive yourself crazy refreshing the page.

Hope everything works out for you OP. The waiting period is stressful but most people do get their benefits eventually. Just stay on top of your weekly filings and job search requirements.