When do I request my waiting week on Washington ESD unemployment?

The waiting week is automatically applied to your first week of filing, you don't need to request it separately. It should show up in your claim history as a non-payable week. Check your account on the Washington ESD website to see if it's been processed.

i had the same confusion last month. you dont request it, its just the first week you file that doesnt get paid. its like a penalty week basically

The waiting week is applied automatically to your benefit year. You don't request it - Washington ESD processes it as part of your initial claim. If you're not seeing payments after 2-3 weeks, there might be an adjudication issue holding up your claim. Have you tried calling to check your status?

waiting week is such BS honestly. like why make people wait an extra week when theyre already struggling financially??

To clarify the waiting week process: It's automatically applied to the first compensable week of your benefit year. You'll see it in your payment history as Week 1 with $0.00 paid and a waiting week designation. No action required on your part - just continue filing your weekly claims as normal.

Just want to follow up on the Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier - I was skeptical at first but it really worked. They basically help you get through the Washington ESD phone queue without having to sit there hitting redial all day. Saved me hours of frustration.

Update: I checked my account again and I can see the waiting week now! It's listed as Week 1 with $0 payment and says 'Waiting Week Applied'. Thanks everyone for explaining how this works.

Question about waiting weeks - do you have to serve a new waiting week if you reopen a claim within the same benefit year?

The whole Washington ESD system is so confusing for first time filers. I remember being lost about the waiting week thing too. At least now they have better explanations on the website than they used to.

Pro tip: take screenshots of your claim summary showing the waiting week applied. Sometimes helpful to have for your records if there are any payment issues later.

Does the waiting week count toward your total weeks of benefits available or is it separate?

I wish Washington ESD would just eliminate the waiting week entirely. Most people filing for unemployment need help immediately, not after waiting an extra week.

For anyone still having trouble getting through to Washington ESD about waiting week questions or other claim issues, I had success with that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Worth checking out if you're stuck in phone tree hell.

Important reminder: even though your first week is the waiting week with no payment, you still need to file that weekly claim! Don't skip it thinking it doesn't matter.

The waiting week thing confused me too when I first filed. Once you understand it's automatic and you don't need to do anything special, it makes more sense. Just keep filing your weekly claims and the payments will start after that first week.