How often are unemployment benefits paid by Washington ESD?

Washington ESD pays unemployment benefits weekly, but you have to file your weekly claim every week to get paid. The actual deposit usually happens 1-2 business days after you file your claim.

So I need to file something every single week? What happens if I forget one week?

Yes, you must file every week or you won't get paid for that week. If you miss filing, you can sometimes file late but there might be delays.

The weekly claim filing is super important - I learned this the hard way when I missed filing one week and had to wait an extra week to get that payment.

How do you file the weekly claim? Is it online or do you have to call?

You can do it online through your SecureAccess Washington account, it's usually easier than calling.

Just to clarify the timing - Washington ESD processes payments weekly, but the exact day you receive your deposit depends on your bank. Most people get their direct deposit on Tuesday or Wednesday if they filed their weekly claim on Sunday or Monday.

That's helpful! So filing early in the week gets you paid faster?

Generally yes, but Washington ESD also has processing times on their end, so filing Sunday night usually means payment by Tuesday or Wednesday.

I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about when my payments will start but their phone lines are always busy. Has anyone found a way to actually get through to talk to someone?

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Is that legit? I'm desperate at this point but don't want to get scammed.

Yeah it's real, they basically handle the waiting on hold part for you and then connect you when an agent picks up. Saved me hours of frustration.

WAIT so we get paid every week but only if we file every week?? This is confusing, why don't they just automatically pay us if we're approved?

The weekly claim filing is how you certify that you're still unemployed and looking for work. It's a requirement to continue receiving benefits.

Oh that makes sense I guess. What questions do they ask on the weekly claim?

Been on unemployment for 3 months now and the payment schedule is pretty consistent. I file my weekly claim every Sunday morning and get paid every Wednesday like clockwork.

That's exactly what I needed to know! So Sunday filing = Wednesday payment?

For me yes, but it might vary slightly depending on your bank's processing times.

Does anyone know if the payment amount stays the same every week or does it change?

Your weekly benefit amount stays the same unless you have part-time earnings that you report, then they might reduce your payment for that week.

Good to know, thanks! I was worried it might decrease over time.

The whole system seems unnecessarily complicated. Why can't they just pay us monthly like a regular paycheck?

Weekly filing helps ensure people are actively looking for work and still eligible. It's part of the federal unemployment system requirements.

I guess that makes sense from their perspective, just feels like extra hoops to jump through when you're already stressed about being unemployed.

Pro tip: set a reminder on your phone to file your weekly claim every Sunday. I almost forgot a few times and that would have been a disaster.

Great idea! I'll set that up right now.

Same here, I have a calendar alert every Sunday that says 'FILE WEEKLY CLAIM' in all caps lol

What if you're on standby status? Do you still have to file weekly claims?

Yes, standby claimants still need to file weekly claims to receive payments, but the job search requirements are different.

Thanks, I wasn't sure if standby was treated differently for the filing requirements.

I missed filing my weekly claim last week because I was sick. Can I still get that money or is it just gone?

You can usually file a late claim, but you might need to call Washington ESD to explain why you filed late. There could be delays in processing.

Ugh, calling Washington ESD is such a nightmare. I'll try though.

If you need to call them, seriously consider using Claimyr. I mentioned it earlier but it really does help you get through without waiting on hold forever.

Does the weekly claim filing ask about job search activities? I'm worried I'm not doing enough to qualify.

Yes, you'll need to report your job search activities. Washington ESD requires a certain number of job search contacts per week depending on your situation.

How many job search contacts do I need? And what counts as a contact?

It varies, but usually 3 job search activities per week. Applications, interviews, networking events, and job fairs all count.

Can you get unemployment paid to a debit card instead of direct deposit?

Yes, Washington ESD offers a debit card option if you don't want direct deposit. You can choose this when you set up your payment method.

Is there any difference in timing between debit card and direct deposit?

Direct deposit is usually faster, but the debit card is still pretty quick - usually 1-2 days after your claim is processed.

I'm so stressed about keeping track of all this. What happens if I make a mistake on my weekly claim?

Minor mistakes can usually be corrected, but it's important to be accurate especially about earnings and job search activities. If you're unsure, it's better to contact Washington ESD for clarification.

How do I contact them if I can't get through on the phone?

That's exactly why I used Claimyr - I needed to talk to someone about correcting information on my claim and couldn't get through the normal way.

been getting paid for 2 months now, every week like clockwork as long as i file my claim on time. the system works once you understand it

That's reassuring to hear! I was worried it would be unreliable.

nah its pretty reliable, just gotta stay on top of filing every week

Does anyone know what time on Sunday the weekly claim system opens? I want to file as early as possible.

I think it's available starting Sunday morning, but I usually file around 8 AM and never had issues.

Perfect, I'll try filing early Sunday morning then. Thanks!

This thread has been super helpful! I was so confused about the weekly filing requirement but now I understand I need to file every single week to get paid.

Same here! Really glad I asked this question, saved me from probably missing payments later.

Happy to help! The key things to remember are: file every week, report accurately, and keep track of your job search activities.

One more question - do holidays affect the payment schedule? Like if there's a federal holiday during the week?

Federal holidays can sometimes delay processing by a day, but you should still file your weekly claim on schedule. The payment might just come a day later than usual.

Good to know, I'll keep that in mind for upcoming holidays.

Thanks everyone for all the info! This is way more helpful than anything I found on the Washington ESD website.

Agreed! Real people's experiences are so much more useful than the official documentation.

Exactly! Now I feel much more confident about managing my weekly claims and knowing when to expect payments.