Washington ESD unemployment benefits paid weekly - confused about payment schedule

Oh wow, I had no idea I needed to do something every week! What happens if I miss filing one week?

If you miss filing your weekly claim, you won't get paid for that week. You might be able to file it late but there's usually a penalty or they might deny it completely.

How do you set up direct deposit? I've been waiting for my debit card for over a week now.

You can set up direct deposit in your SecureAccess Washington account under payment preferences. Way better than dealing with their debit card system.

What counts as work that I need to report? Like if I do some freelance stuff or help a friend with their business?

Any work where you earn money needs to be reported, even cash jobs. They cross-reference with tax records so it's not worth the risk.

This is why I use Claimyr when I need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about reporting work. So much easier than trying to call them directly. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Job search activities? What do you mean by that?

You have to be actively looking for work and they want to know what you did each week. Apply for jobs, go to job fairs, network, etc. Keep track of everything.

You can usually file late if it was due to technical issues on their end. Document the error messages and times when you tried to access the site.

yeah right, like they actually care about documentation. I've tried that before and they just give me the runaround

If you file Sunday, usually see the money by Wednesday or Thursday if there are no issues with your claim.

That's about right for direct deposit. The debit card can take an extra day or two sometimes.

Yes, you still file weekly and report your earnings. They'll reduce your benefit amount but you might still get partial benefits depending on how much you earned.

The formula is complicated but basically if you earn less than your weekly benefit amount plus $5, you'll still get something.

I get the frustration but they have to verify eligibility continuously. Too many people try to game the system unfortunately.

I guess but it still feels like they assume everyone is cheating from the start

Is that like a paid service? How much does it cost?

They have different options but honestly it was worth it for me. Way better than the stress of trying to call them yourself when you need answers fast.

Good idea! I'm definitely going to do that. Thanks everyone for all the help!

You're welcome! The system seems complicated at first but you'll get the hang of it quickly.

What's standby status? Is that different from regular unemployment?

Yeah, it's for people who are temporarily laid off but expect to be called back to work within a certain timeframe. Usually union jobs or seasonal work.

Right? Like why can't they just send the money if you're already approved? So much unnecessary bureaucracy.

Because your eligibility can change week to week. If you get a job or become unavailable for work, they need to know immediately.

What kind of flags would cause delays?

Things like not doing enough job search activities, reporting work incorrectly, or if they randomly select you for additional verification. Usually resolves within a week or two if you provide what they ask for.

How long does a claim period last? Is there a limit to how long you can collect?

Regular unemployment in Washington is up to 26 weeks, but it depends on your work history and earnings. Some people qualify for less time.

Good point! I didn't know you had that whole week to file. I thought it had to be done on Sunday.

Yeah but definitely don't wait until Saturday. If there are any issues with your claim you want time to resolve them before the next week starts.

I might need to look into that if I run into problems. The phone lines seem impossible to get through on.

Exactly! That's why I ended up using their service. Much less stressful than playing phone roulette with Washington ESD.

They really make you feel like a criminal just for trying to get help when you're unemployed. The whole system is designed to make you feel guilty.

I understand the frustration but fraud is a real problem and they have to have safeguards in place. Just be honest and you'll be fine.

That's really smart. I'm going to start doing that right away. Thanks for all the advice everyone!

Good thinking! I wish I had started tracking everything from the beginning. Would have saved me some headaches later.

Right, standby is very specific. Most people aren't actually on standby even if they think they might get called back to work.

How do you know if you qualify for standby status? Is that something you apply for separately?

Usually your employer has to provide documentation that you're on temporary layoff with a specific recall date. It's not something you can just claim on your own.

I'm starting to think I should just bite the bullet and use a service like that. I've wasted so much time trying to call them directly.

Honestly, for me it was worth it just for the peace of mind. You can check out their demo video to see how it works before you decide.