How soon does unemployment start in Washington - when do benefits begin?

In Washington, there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start, but the actual processing time can vary. Your first payable week would be the week after you file, assuming your claim gets approved without any issues. You'll also need to file weekly claims every week to get paid.

it depends on if ur claim goes into adjudication or not... mine took 3 weeks because they had to verify my work history with my last employer

I was in a similar situation last month - couldn't get through to Washington ESD to check on my claim status. The phone lines are always busy and I kept getting disconnected. Finally used Claimyr to get connected to an actual agent. They have this service at claimyr.com that helps you get through to ESD representatives. There's even a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Made all the difference for me.

The standard timeline in Washington is: File claim → One week waiting period → Weekly claims start → First payment 7-10 days after first weekly claim. BUT this assumes no adjudication issues and that you meet all requirements like job search activities.

DONT COUNT ON GETTING PAID QUICKLY!!! I filed 6 weeks ago and still haven't seen a dime. Washington ESD is completely broken. They lost my paperwork twice and I can never get anyone on the phone.

the waiting period thing is confusing... i thought it was only for people who quit their jobs not layoffs

Make sure you're filing your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still processing. You can't get retroactive payments for weeks you didn't file. The system is very strict about this.

I got laid off from Boeing last year and it took exactly 2 weeks from filing to first payment. No issues, straightforward process. The key is making sure all your employer info is accurate when you file.

same boat here, filed last week and checking my account obsessively lol. the uncertainty is killing me

Just wanted to follow up on the Claimyr thing - I know it sounds sketchy but it's actually really helpful when you need to speak to someone at Washington ESD quickly. I used it again last week to clarify some job search requirement questions and got connected within an hour instead of spending all day calling.

For everyone asking about timelines, here's what to expect: Week 1 = file claim, Week 2 = waiting period (file weekly claim but no payment), Week 3 = first payment if approved. This is the BEST case scenario with no complications.

Don't forget you also need to register with WorkSourceWA if you haven't already. It's required for most unemployment claimants in Washington state.

my sister went thru this same thing with her restaurant job. took her about 10 days total from filing to first deposit

The thing that slowed me down was not understanding the base period. They calculate your benefit amount based on wages from like a year ago, not your most recent job. Make sure the wages they have on file are correct.

tbh the whole system is designed to make you give up. they make it as complicated as possible on purpose

Quick tip - set up direct deposit if you haven't already. Paper checks take longer and can get lost in the mail. You can do it in your online account.

I work at a temp agency and see this all the time. Most people get their first payment within 2-3 weeks if everything goes smoothly. The key is being proactive about any requests for information.

Anyone else notice the Washington ESD website is super slow lately? Takes forever to load pages when I'm trying to file my weekly claim

Update on the Claimyr service - used it again this week to get clarification about my job search log requirements. The agent was really helpful and explained exactly what counts as a valid job contact. Definitely worth it when you need quick answers.

Pro tip from someone who's been through this multiple times - keep detailed records of EVERYTHING. Every phone call, every document you submit, every email. You'll thank yourself later if issues come up.

Based on my experience, the timeline really depends on whether your claim goes into adjudication or not. I filed in November after a layoff from a manufacturing plant and got my first payment exactly 17 days later. The one-week waiting period is mandatory, then you file your first weekly claim, and if everything processes smoothly you should see payment within 7-10 business days after that. Make sure you have your direct deposit set up and keep filing those weekly claims even while your initial claim is still pending - that's crucial. Also, since you mentioned the layoff was due to reduced orders, that should be a straightforward separation reason that won't trigger any red flags. Just be patient and keep checking your online account for updates.