What day does Washington ESD unemployment deposit money into your account?
I just got approved for unemployment benefits and submitted my first weekly claim on Sunday. When should I expect to see the money in my bank account? I know it says 2-3 business days but I'm trying to figure out the exact timing so I can plan my bills. Does Washington ESD deposit on specific days of the week or is it random? My claim status shows 'paid' but nothing in my account yet.
57 comments


Freya Andersen
Usually deposits happen Tuesday through Thursday if you file your weekly claim on Sunday. Washington ESD processes payments in batches so it's not exactly the same day every week but most people see their money by Wednesday.
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Malik Jenkins
•That's helpful, thanks! I was worried something went wrong since today is Wednesday and I don't see it yet.
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Eduardo Silva
•mine always comes on tuesday or wednesday, never later than that
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Leila Haddad
It depends on your bank too. Some banks hold deposits longer than others. I use Chase and usually get my unemployment money on Tuesday, but my friend with Wells Fargo doesn't get hers until Wednesday or Thursday.
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Malik Jenkins
•I have a credit union so hopefully they're faster. Still nothing as of this morning though.
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Emma Johnson
•Credit unions are usually pretty quick with deposits in my experience
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Ravi Patel
I've been on unemployment for 6 months and the pattern is pretty consistent. File Sunday, money hits my account Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. But there were a couple weeks where it took until Thursday, probably because of holidays or system maintenance.
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Malik Jenkins
•Good to know it's usually consistent. I'm just anxious since this is my first payment.
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Astrid Bergström
•first payment always feels like it takes forever lol
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PixelPrincess
If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your payment status, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual person. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.
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Malik Jenkins
•Thanks for the tip! I haven't tried calling yet but good to know there's a way to actually get through if I need to.
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Omar Farouk
•Never heard of that service but the phone lines are definitely a nightmare to get through
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Ravi Patel
•I used Claimyr a few months ago when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Really does work for getting through to someone who can actually help.
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Eduardo Silva
just be patient, it will come. washington esd is slow but they do pay eventually
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Malik Jenkins
•Yeah I'm trying to be patient, just need to pay rent soon so timing matters.
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Chloe Martin
•I feel you on the rent stress. It's nerve-wracking waiting for that first payment.
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Emma Johnson
Make sure you filed your weekly claim correctly and that all your information is accurate. Sometimes payments get delayed if there are issues with your claim that need manual review.
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Malik Jenkins
•I double checked everything and it shows 'paid' status so I think I'm good. Just waiting for the bank transfer now.
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Diego Fernández
•If it shows paid status you should definitely see the money within a day or two max
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Astrid Bergström
wednesday is usually the day for me, sometimes tuesday if im lucky
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Malik Jenkins
•Fingers crossed for today then!
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
•Same here, Wednesday is the most common day I see deposits
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Omar Farouk
I've noticed it's more consistent if you file your weekly claim early on Sunday. When I file Sunday night sometimes it doesn't process until Monday and then the deposit comes a day later.
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Malik Jenkins
•That makes sense. I filed mine around 2pm on Sunday so hopefully that was early enough.
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Sean Fitzgerald
•Yeah I always try to file first thing Sunday morning to avoid any delays
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Chloe Martin
The waiting is the worst part especially when you're depending on that money. Washington ESD really needs to modernize their payment system to be faster and more predictable.
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Malik Jenkins
•Totally agree. Even knowing it's coming, the uncertainty is stressful.
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Zara Khan
•Other states have much faster payment processing. Washington is behind the times.
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Diego Fernández
Check your bank account online or mobile app, sometimes the deposit shows up there before you get a notification. My bank usually posts unemployment deposits overnight so I see them first thing in the morning.
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Malik Jenkins
•Good idea, I'll keep checking throughout the day. Thanks for all the help everyone!
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MoonlightSonata
•Yeah mobile banking is usually the fastest way to see new deposits
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
If you don't see it by Thursday definitely call Washington ESD or use that Claimyr service someone mentioned. There might be an issue that needs to be resolved.
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Malik Jenkins
•Will do. Hopefully it shows up today or tomorrow though.
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Mateo Gonzalez
•Thursday would be unusually late if your claim shows paid status
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Sean Fitzgerald
i always get mine on tuesday or wednesday, never had to wait longer than that
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Malik Jenkins
•That's reassuring to hear. Seems like Wednesday is the most common day.
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Zara Khan
The Washington ESD website has a payment schedule somewhere but it's not very detailed. Basically just says 2-3 business days after filing which isn't super helpful for planning.
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Malik Jenkins
•Yeah I saw that too. Would be nice if they gave more specific timing.
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Nia Williams
•Most government websites are pretty vague about payment timing unfortunately
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MoonlightSonata
Hope you get your money soon! The first payment is always nerve-wracking but once you see the pattern it gets less stressful.
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Malik Jenkins
•Thanks! Looking forward to having a predictable schedule.
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Mateo Gonzalez
Just an FYI - if you ever need to reach Washington ESD about payment issues, that Claimyr service really does work. I was skeptical at first but it got me through to someone who could explain why my payment was delayed.
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Malik Jenkins
•Good to know! I'll bookmark that just in case.
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Luca Ricci
•Yeah the regular phone lines are basically impossible to get through on
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Nia Williams
tuesday wednesday thursday are the deposit days, depends on your bank and when exactly you filed
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Malik Jenkins
•Makes sense. I'll be patient and keep checking.
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Luca Ricci
One thing I learned is that Washington ESD processes payments in the order they receive weekly claims, so filing early on Sunday can help you get paid sooner in the week.
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Malik Jenkins
•That's a great tip for next week. I'll make sure to file early Sunday morning.
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Aisha Mohammed
•I always file mine right at midnight Sunday for this reason
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Aisha Mohammed
midnight sunday filing gang! always get my money tuesday that way
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Malik Jenkins
•Haha that's dedication! I'll try filing early this weekend.
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Ethan Campbell
UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know my payment showed up this morning (Thursday)! Thanks for all the advice and reassurance. Next week I'll file earlier on Sunday to hopefully get it by Tuesday or Wednesday.
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Freya Andersen
•Great news! Thursday is a bit later than usual but at least it came through.
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Ravi Patel
•Awesome! The timing will probably be more consistent going forward.
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Yuki Watanabe
•Glad it worked out! First payment is always the most stressful.
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Yuki Watanabe
congrats on getting your first payment! its a relief when that money finally hits
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Malik Jenkins
•Definitely! Now I can stop obsessively checking my bank account every hour lol
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