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Mei-Ling Chen

What time does Way2Go card deposit unemployment benefits in Washington?

I just got approved for unemployment and they're putting my benefits on a Way2Go card. Does anyone know what time the deposits usually hit? I need to budget for groceries and rent this week. Is it midnight or later in the day? Also wondering if it's different for the first payment versus weekly claims.

Usually deposits hit between 12:01 AM and 6:00 AM on your designated payment day. For Washington ESD, that's typically Tuesday if you filed your weekly claim on time. Your first payment might take an extra day or two to process though.

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Thanks! So if I filed my weekly claim Sunday night, I should see it Tuesday morning?

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Exactly, as long as there are no issues with your claim status. Check your online account to make sure it shows 'paid' first.

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mine always comes around 3 AM on tuesday but ive heard some people get theirs as late as 8 AM. depends on the bank i think

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Good to know, I'll check early Tuesday morning then

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Same here, usually around 3-4 AM. Set up account alerts so you know when it hits.

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If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to check your payment status, I found this service called Claimyr that actually gets you through to a real person. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling when my deposits were delayed.

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How much does that cost? I'm already tight on money waiting for benefits.

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It's worth it when you need answers fast. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.

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Interesting, might try this if my payment doesn't show up Tuesday.

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The Way2Go card deposits follow the same schedule as direct deposits. Washington ESD processes payments on Monday nights, so you'll see the money Tuesday morning. First-time filers should expect their initial payment within 7-10 business days after approval, then weekly payments will be regular.

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That's really helpful! So even though I just got approved Friday, I might not see anything until next week?

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Correct. Your first payment includes the waiting week if you're eligible, but it takes longer to process than regular weekly claims.

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I hate that Way2Go card!! The fees are ridiculous if you need cash. $2.50 every time you use an ATM that's not theirs.

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Can I switch to direct deposit instead?

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Yes, you can change your payment method in your Washington ESD online account. Takes 1-2 weeks to switch over though.

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Definitely switch to direct deposit ASAP. The card fees add up fast.

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Pro tip: download the Way2Go app so you can check your balance instantly without calling. Also shows you exactly when deposits hit your account.

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Good idea, downloading it now

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the app is actually pretty decent, shows transaction history too

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Been on unemployment for 3 months now and my Way2Go deposits are like clockwork - every Tuesday between 2-4 AM. Only had one delay when there was a holiday on Monday.

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What happens with holidays?

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Payments get pushed back a day usually. So Wednesday instead of Tuesday.

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That's correct. Washington ESD doesn't process payments on federal holidays, so everything shifts back one business day.

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OMG I've been waiting for my first payment for 2 weeks now!! This is so stressful, I don't know if something's wrong with my claim or what. The website just says 'processing' but doesn't give any timeline.

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Two weeks is normal for first payments. If it's been longer than that, you might need to call Washington ESD to check for issues.

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This is exactly when I used Claimyr to get through to someone. They could see my claim was held up for ID verification, which I never would have known otherwise.

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Maybe I should try that service. I'm getting desperate here.

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Check your spam folder too! Sometimes Washington ESD sends important emails about payment delays or required actions that end up in spam.

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Good point, I'll check that

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Just checked and there's nothing there either. So frustrated.

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if you dont see your payment by wednesday morning something is definitely wrong and you need to call them

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How hard is it to get through to someone?

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IMPOSSIBLE. I've tried calling 50+ times and either get busy signal or disconnected after waiting on hold.

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That's why services like Claimyr exist. They handle the calling nightmare for you.

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Make sure you're filing your weekly claims on time every week. Even if you don't see your first payment yet, you still need to keep filing or you'll lose benefits for those weeks.

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Yeah I've been doing that every Sunday. The system lets me file them so I think that's good?

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Exactly, keep doing that. The system will backpay you for all the weeks once your claim is fully processed.

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I switched from Way2Go to direct deposit last month and it was the best decision ever. No more fees and the money hits my account at the exact same time every week.

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How do I make that switch?

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Log into your Washington ESD account, go to payment options, and update your banking info. Takes about 2 weeks to take effect.

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Also remember that your weekly benefit amount might be different from what you expected. Washington ESD calculates it based on your highest earning quarter, not your most recent job.

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I was wondering about that. The estimate seemed lower than I thought it would be.

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You can view your wage history in your online account to see exactly how they calculated your weekly benefit amount.

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Been there with the waiting game. First payment took 3 weeks for me because they needed additional documentation. Once everything was sorted, payments were regular every Tuesday morning.

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What kind of documentation did they need?

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They wanted proof of my last day worked and my final paystub. Had to upload it through the secure messaging system.

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The waiting is the worst part honestly. Once you get into the rhythm of weekly claims and regular payments it's much less stressful. Hang in there!

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Thanks, I really needed to hear that. This whole process is so overwhelming.

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Same here, it's nice to know other people understand how stressful this is.

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If you're really worried about timing, you can also check your payment history on the Washington ESD website. It shows when payments were issued vs when they actually hit your card.

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I'll check that right now, thanks!

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Yep, there's usually a 1-day delay between when it shows 'paid' online and when it hits your Way2Go card.

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Just want to follow up on the Claimyr thing - I used them again last week when I had questions about my job search requirements. Super helpful and saved me from potentially losing benefits over a technicality.

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What kind of job search requirements?

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You have to do 3 job search activities per week and log them in WorkSource. If you don't do it right, they can stop your benefits.

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Setting up account alerts on your phone is a game changer. You'll get a text the second your deposit hits, so you don't have to keep checking.

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How do I set that up?

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Through your bank's app or website. Look for 'account alerts' or 'notifications' in the settings.

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Remember that if you start working part-time while on unemployment, you need to report those wages when you file your weekly claim. It might reduce your benefit amount but you can still get partial benefits.

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Good to know, I'm hoping to pick up some gig work while I'm looking for a full-time job.

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Just make sure you report all wages honestly. Washington ESD cross-checks with employers and if they catch unreported income, you could face penalties.

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The most important thing is to keep filing your weekly claims every week, even if you haven't received your first payment yet. You can't go back and file for missed weeks later.

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Yeah I've been doing that religiously every Sunday night. Hopefully everything works out soon.

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You're doing everything right. The first payment is always the hardest part, then it becomes routine.

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I've been through this exact situation! Got approved on a Friday and was panicking about when my first payment would come. From my experience, Tuesday mornings are definitely the norm - usually between 2-6 AM. But for your very first payment, it might take until the following Tuesday since there's extra processing time. The good news is once you get that first deposit, the weekly payments are super reliable. I'd recommend switching to direct deposit as soon as possible to avoid those Way2Go fees - you can do it right in your ESD account under payment options. Hang in there, the waiting is the hardest part but it does get easier!

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This is super helpful, thank you! I'm definitely going to switch to direct deposit once I get my first payment. It's reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same timeline. I was starting to worry something was wrong with my application.

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One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure you activate your Way2Go card as soon as you receive it! I got my card in the mail but didn't realize I needed to call and activate it first. My payment was sitting there for two days before I figured out why I couldn't access it. Also, if you're really strapped for cash while waiting, some food banks and local assistance programs understand the unemployment waiting period and might be able to help bridge the gap. The 211 helpline (dial 2-1-1) can connect you with local resources in Washington.

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Great point about activating the card! I actually just received mine in the mail yesterday but haven't activated it yet. Thanks for the reminder about 211 too - I didn't know there were resources specifically for people waiting on unemployment payments. That's really helpful to know there's support available during this waiting period.

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Just wanted to add my experience as someone who's been on Washington unemployment for about 6 months now - the Tuesday morning deposits are super consistent once you get into the system! I usually see mine hit around 3:30 AM. One tip that saved me money: if you need cash from your Way2Go card, you can get cash back at most grocery stores when you buy something (even just a pack of gum) with no fees, instead of paying those $2.50 ATM charges. Also, keep screenshots of your weekly claim confirmations just in case - I had one week where the system glitched and I needed proof that I filed on time. The whole process is stressful at first but becomes much more manageable once you get that first payment and establish the routine!

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This is such valuable advice, especially the cash back tip! I had no idea you could avoid ATM fees that way. Taking screenshots of the weekly claims is really smart too - I'll definitely start doing that. It's reassuring to hear that even though the system can be glitchy sometimes, there are workarounds and the payments do become reliable. Thanks for sharing your long-term experience with the process!

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I'm in a similar boat - just got approved yesterday and I'm anxiously waiting for that first payment! Reading everyone's experiences here is really reassuring. It sounds like Tuesday mornings are pretty consistent once you're in the system, but that first payment can take a bit longer. I'm definitely going to download the Way2Go app like someone suggested and start taking screenshots of my weekly claims. The cash back tip for avoiding ATM fees is genius - I never would have thought of that! Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences, it makes this whole process feel less scary when you know what to expect.

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Welcome to the waiting club! I know exactly how you're feeling right now - that mix of relief from getting approved and anxiety about when the money will actually show up. The community here has been amazing at sharing real experiences instead of just generic advice. I'm bookmarking this thread because there's so much practical info here. The screenshot tip is something I wish I'd known from day one, and that cash back hack for avoiding fees is going to save me so much money. It's crazy how these little tricks make such a difference when you're already stretched thin. Hang in there - from what everyone's saying, that first payment is the hardest part and then it gets much more predictable!

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