< Back to Washington Unemployment

Sophia Bennett

How often do you get an unemployment check from Washington ESD?

I just got approved for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD and I'm confused about the payment schedule. Do they send checks weekly or biweekly? I know I have to file my weekly claim every week but wasn't sure if that means I get paid every week too. My neighbor said she gets paid every other week but maybe that's different states? Also do they mail actual checks or is it all direct deposit now? I need to plan my budget so any info would help!

Washington ESD pays weekly as long as you file your weekly claim on time. Most people get direct deposit now - it's faster and more reliable than waiting for checks in the mail. You should set up direct deposit in your SecureAccess Washington account if you haven't already.

0 coins

Thanks! So if I file my weekly claim on Sunday, when would I typically see the money in my account?

0 coins

Usually by Tuesday or Wednesday if you file on Sunday. Sometimes it takes until Thursday depending on your bank.

0 coins

yeah its weekly but you gotta file every week or you dont get paid. missed one week last month and had to call them to fix it

0 coins

Oh no! How long did it take to get through to someone when you called? I keep hearing horror stories about Washington ESD phone lines.

0 coins

took forever, like 3 hours of calling. finally got through around lunch time

0 coins

I've been on unemployment for 6 months now and the weekly payment schedule is consistent. File your claim between Sunday and the following Saturday (though I recommend doing it early in the week). Payment typically processes within 2-3 business days. One thing to watch out for - if there are any issues with your claim like adjudication, your payments will stop until it's resolved.

0 coins

What exactly is adjudication? My claim status just changed to that and I'm freaking out.

0 coins

Adjudication means they're reviewing something about your claim - could be job separation, work search requirements, or earnings. It can take weeks to resolve unfortunately.

0 coins

Weeks?? I can't afford to wait weeks without payments. Is there any way to speed this up?

0 coins

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD about payment issues, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. I used claimyr.com when my payments were delayed for adjudication and finally got answers after weeks of trying to call myself. Worth checking out if you're stuck.

0 coins

Is that legit? Sounds too good to be true with how impossible it is to reach anyone at Washington ESD.

0 coins

I was skeptical too but it actually worked for me. They don't ask for personal info, just help you get connected to a real person at Washington ESD.

0 coins

I might try this for my adjudication issue. Regular calling isn't working at all.

0 coins

Weekly payments BUT you need to make sure you're doing your job search correctly or they'll stop payments. Washington requires 3 job search activities per week and you have to log them in WorkSource. Don't slack on this or you'll get disqualified.

0 coins

What counts as a job search activity? I've been applying to jobs but wasn't sure about the WorkSource logging part.

0 coins

Job applications, networking events, career fairs, informational interviews. You log them at WorkSourceWA.com and keep records in case they audit you.

0 coins

I'm getting so frustrated with this whole system. I filed 3 weeks ago and still haven't received a single payment. My claim is stuck in some kind of review process and nobody can tell me what's wrong or how long it will take. How are people supposed to survive like this??

0 coins

Have you checked your SecureAccess Washington account for any alerts or required actions? Sometimes there are things you need to complete before payments start.

0 coins

I've checked everything multiple times. No alerts, no required actions. It just says 'claim under review' with no other information.

0 coins

This happened to my cousin too. Try the Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier - she used it and found out there was an issue with her job separation that nobody told her about.

0 coins

washington esd is such a mess right now. my friend has been waiting 2 months for her payments to start. the system is totally broken

0 coins

Two months?! That's insane. What's the point of unemployment insurance if you can't get it when you need it?

0 coins

I think they're understaffed and overwhelmed. The phone system definitely can't handle the volume of calls they get.

0 coins

For what it's worth, once your payments start coming regularly, Washington ESD is pretty reliable with the weekly schedule. I've been getting mine every Tuesday for the past 4 months without any issues. The key is filing your weekly claim early in the week and making sure your job search logs are up to date.

0 coins

That's reassuring to hear! I just want to know what to expect once everything gets sorted out.

0 coins

Same here, got approved 2 weeks ago and payments have been coming like clockwork every Tuesday. The initial process was rough but now it's smooth.

0 coins

Quick question - if I start working part time, do I still get partial unemployment payments weekly? Or does any work disqualify you completely?

0 coins

You can work part-time and still receive partial benefits as long as you report your earnings when you file your weekly claim. Washington ESD will reduce your benefit amount based on how much you earned.

0 coins

Good to know! I was worried about taking a temporary job and losing everything.

0 coins

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A JOKE! I've been trying to get my payments for 6 WEEKS and all I get is runaround after runaround. Meanwhile bills are piling up and I'm about to lose my apartment. This is supposed to be a safety net?!

0 coins

I feel your frustration. Have you tried contacting your state representative? Sometimes they can help cut through the bureaucracy.

0 coins

I'm willing to try anything at this point. This is ridiculous.

0 coins

Seriously consider the Claimyr option I mentioned earlier. When you're desperate to talk to someone at Washington ESD, it's worth trying every tool available.

0 coins

Just want to add that if you're on standby status (like seasonal workers), your payment schedule might be different. I work in construction and get laid off every winter - standby payments come weekly too but the process is a bit different than regular UI claims.

0 coins

What's the difference with standby? I'm not familiar with that term.

0 coins

Standby is when your employer expects to call you back to work within a certain timeframe. You don't have to do job searches but you have to be available if they call you back.

0 coins

been getting my weekly payments for 8 months now, never had a problem once i got through the initial approval process. key is being consistent with filing and following all the rules exactly

0 coins

How long did your initial approval take? I'm still waiting and getting really anxious.

0 coins

took about 3 weeks for me but that was before all the current delays. might be longer now

0 coins

Pro tip: Set up text alerts in your Washington ESD account so you get notified when payments are processed. Helps with budgeting to know exactly when money will hit your account.

0 coins

Great idea! I didn't know you could set up text alerts. Where do you find that option?

0 coins

Should be under account settings or notifications in your SecureAccess Washington portal.

0 coins

One thing I learned the hard way - always keep records of everything. Your weekly filings, job search logs, any correspondence from Washington ESD. If they ask you to verify something later, you'll be glad you kept documentation.

0 coins

This is so important! I got audited for my job search activities and having detailed records saved me from getting disqualified.

0 coins

Good advice! I'll start keeping better records from the beginning.

0 coins

To answer the original question simply - Washington ESD pays unemployment weekly, typically 2-3 days after you file your weekly claim. Direct deposit is fastest. Just make sure you file on time every week and keep up with job search requirements. Don't let anyone tell you it's biweekly - that's other states.

0 coins

Perfect summary, thank you! This thread has been super helpful for understanding what to expect.

0 coins

Agreed, lots of good info here. Wish I had found this when I first started my claim process.

0 coins

Related Posts

Washington Unemployment Phone Number: Live Human Help
Is unemployment paid weekly biweekly in Washington - confused about payment schedule
Does unemployment pay weekly in Washington state?
Do unemployment checks come weekly from Washington ESD?
How often do you get paid from unemployment Washington ESD - weekly or biweekly?
How often is unemployment paid - Washington ESD payment schedule confusion
How does unemployment pay work in Washington ESD - payment schedule and amounts?
How often does Washington ESD unemployment pay - weekly or biweekly schedule?
Washington ESD unemployment payments - does unemployment pay weekly biweekly schedule?
How often do you get paid on Washington ESD unemployment - weekly or biweekly?
How often is unemployment paid by Washington ESD - weekly or biweekly?

Washington Unemployment AI

Expert Assistant
Secure

Powered by Claimyr AI

T
I
+
20,087 users helped today