How to receive unemployment payment - Washington ESD payment methods?
I just got approved for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD but I'm confused about how I actually get the money. Do they mail checks or is it direct deposit? I set up my claim online but didn't see clear instructions about payment methods. Also wondering how long it takes after filing my weekly claim to actually receive the payment. This is my first time on unemployment so I want to make sure I don't miss any steps to get my benefits.
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Jackson Carter
Washington ESD offers two main payment methods - direct deposit or the ReliaCard debit card. Direct deposit is faster, usually takes 1-2 business days after your weekly claim is processed. The debit card takes about 3-5 business days. You should have been able to select your preference when you filed your initial claim.
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Lilah Brooks
•I think I selected direct deposit but I'm not 100% sure. Is there a way to check what I chose in my account?
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Jackson Carter
•Yes, log into your Washington ESD account and go to Payment Method under your profile. You can change it there if needed.
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Kolton Murphy
make sure you file your weekly claims every week or you won't get paid. i missed one week early on and had to call to get it fixed
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Lilah Brooks
•Good to know! When is the deadline for filing weekly claims?
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Kolton Murphy
•you have to file by 11:59 PM on Sunday for the week that just ended. don't wait until the last minute though
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Evelyn Rivera
The ReliaCard is actually pretty convenient if you don't want to give them your bank info. You can use it like any debit card and there are ATMs with no fees. But direct deposit is definitely faster if you need the money ASAP.
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Julia Hall
•Which ATMs don't charge fees for the ReliaCard? I got stuck paying $3 fees a couple times before I figured it out.
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Evelyn Rivera
•Most major bank ATMs are free - Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo. There's a list on the ReliaCard website too.
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Arjun Patel
If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to verify your payment method or resolve any issues, I had good luck with Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to an actual agent instead of waiting on hold forever. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.
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Jade Lopez
•How much does that cost? I'm already struggling financially and can't afford extra fees.
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Arjun Patel
•It's worth checking out their site for pricing info. For me the time saved was worth it since I was about to miss important deadlines.
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Tony Brooks
•I used Claimyr too when my payments got stopped for verification. Got through to someone in like 20 minutes instead of calling for days.
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Ella rollingthunder87
IMPORTANT: Your first payment might be delayed because Washington ESD has to verify your identity and work history. Mine took 3 weeks even though my claim was approved quickly. Don't panic if it doesn't come right away.
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Lilah Brooks
•Three weeks?! How am I supposed to pay rent? Is there anything I can do to speed it up?
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Ella rollingthunder87
•Unfortunately not much you can do except make sure all your documentation is correct. Call if you see any issues in your account.
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Yara Campbell
•Check if you qualify for emergency assistance programs while you wait. Some counties have rental assistance.
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Isaac Wright
Pro tip: Set up text alerts for your payments. Washington ESD will send you notifications when your weekly claim is processed and when payment is issued. Helps you track everything.
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Lilah Brooks
•Where do I sign up for text alerts? I don't see that option anywhere.
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Isaac Wright
•In your online account, go to Contact Preferences and you can add your mobile number there.
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Maya Diaz
Just a heads up - if you have any old overpayments or child support obligations, Washington ESD will automatically deduct those from your benefits. Happened to me and I was confused why my payment was less than expected.
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Tami Morgan
•Same thing happened to me! I had an overpayment from 2019 that I forgot about. They took $50 each week until it was paid off.
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Lilah Brooks
•How do I check if I have any outstanding overpayments?
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Maya Diaz
•It should show in your account under Payment History or Benefit Information. If you see deductions you don't understand, definitely call.
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Rami Samuels
The weekly benefit amount depends on how much you earned in your base period. Washington ESD calculates it automatically but you can see the breakdown in your determination letter. Make sure to save that letter!
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Haley Bennett
•What if I think they calculated my benefit amount wrong? I made more money than what they're showing.
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Rami Samuels
•You can appeal the monetary determination within 30 days. Make sure you have your pay stubs and tax records ready.
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Douglas Foster
Don't forget about taxes! Unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have federal taxes withheld (10%) when you file your weekly claims, or you'll owe at tax time.
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Lilah Brooks
•I didn't know that! Should I have taxes withheld or just pay later?
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Douglas Foster
•Depends on your situation, but having it withheld saves you from a big tax bill later. You can change this option anytime.
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Nina Chan
•Learned this the hard way - owed $2,000 in taxes after being on unemployment for 6 months without withholding.
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Ruby Knight
If your payment gets stopped or delayed, don't wait too long to call. Sometimes there are issues that only get resolved when you talk to someone. The phone lines are crazy busy though.
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Diego Castillo
•I've been trying to call for a week and can't get through. The line just goes busy or hangs up on me.
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Arjun Patel
•That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. The phone system is impossible otherwise. Even if you do get through, you might wait 2+ hours on hold.
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Logan Stewart
•Try calling right at 8 AM when they open. That's your best chance but you still might not get through.
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Mikayla Brown
Also remember you have to be actively looking for work and report your job search activities. If you don't meet the requirements, your payments can get stopped.
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Lilah Brooks
•How many jobs do I need to apply for each week? And do I have to use WorkSourceWA?
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Mikayla Brown
•Usually 3 job search activities per week. WorkSourceWA counts as one activity if you do a meaningful search there. Keep records of everything!
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Sean Matthews
•They can audit your job search log at any time, so don't fake it. I know someone who got disqualified for made-up applications.
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Ali Anderson
One more thing - if you work part-time while collecting unemployment, you need to report those earnings on your weekly claim. They'll reduce your benefit amount but you can still get partial payments.
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Lilah Brooks
•What happens if I forget to report work one week? Can I fix it later?
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Ali Anderson
•You need to report it as soon as you remember. They might create an overpayment if you got benefits you weren't entitled to.
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Zadie Patel
•Always better to over-report than under-report. Washington ESD takes unreported earnings very seriously.
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