When do you collect unemployment benefits in Washington - timing questions

You should file your claim as soon as possible after losing your job. Washington ESD has a one-week waiting period before benefits start, but you need to file weekly claims during that time. Benefits are typically paid on the Tuesday or Wednesday after you file your weekly claim, assuming there are no issues with your claim.

Wait I thought there was no waiting week anymore? I filed last month and got paid for my first week.

I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD to check on my claim timing. Their phone lines are always busy and I kept getting disconnected. Took me weeks to get answers about when my benefits would start. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

The timing depends on your situation. If you were laid off you can file immediately. If you quit or were fired you might have to wait for adjudication which can take weeks. Regular unemployment benefits are paid after the waiting week, but standby benefits work differently if you're temporarily laid off.

OMG the timing is so confusing!!! I filed three weeks ago and still haven't gotten a single payment. My claim says 'adjudication in progress' but I have no idea what that means or how long it takes. I'm running out of money and getting really panicked about this whole process.

been there done that with the waiting. filed in january and first payment came like 3 weeks later. make sure you do the job search stuff right away too or theyll hold up your payments

The payment timing is usually pretty consistent once your claim is approved. I get mine every Wednesday morning around 6 AM. But the initial processing can take forever if there are any complications with your work history or reason for separation.

Just wanted to add that if you're on standby status the timing works differently. I work seasonal construction and get put on standby every winter. With standby you don't have the waiting week and payments can start right away if your employer files the right paperwork.

I remember when I first filed I was so confused about the timing. Called Washington ESD probably 50 times trying to get answers. Finally got through to someone who explained that you need to file your initial claim first, then wait for your monetary determination letter, then start filing weekly claims. The whole process took about 2 weeks before I saw my first payment.

The Washington ESD website has a timeline that shows when benefits start but it's not always accurate. I've seen people get paid earlier than expected and others wait months. It really depends on your individual situation and whether there are any red flags in your claim.

Honestly the whole system is a mess. I filed in December and didn't get my first payment until February because of some computer glitch. Spent hours on hold trying to get it fixed. Finally used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and got connected to an agent who fixed it in 10 minutes. Wish I'd known about it sooner.

Quick question - if I file on a Monday do I get paid sooner than if I file on a Friday? Or does it not matter what day of the week you submit your weekly claim?

For anyone reading this - make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment information ready before you start filing. The system times out if you take too long and then you have to start over. Learned that the hard way.

One more thing about timing - if you file late in the week (Thursday or Friday) your claim might not get processed until the following week. I always file my weekly claims on Sunday or Monday just to be safe.

The worst part about the timing is when you're in between jobs and trying to budget. Not knowing exactly when that first payment will hit makes it really hard to plan. I ended up having to borrow money from family while waiting for my claim to process.

Just to clarify for the original poster - you should file your claim as soon as possible after losing your job, start filing weekly claims immediately even during the waiting week, and expect your first payment about 2-3 weeks after filing if everything goes smoothly. The key is not to wait because you can't backdate your claim very far.

I know this thread is getting long but wanted to mention that Washington ESD sends text updates about your claim status if you sign up for notifications. Helps you know when payments are coming and if there are any issues that need attention.

One last thing - keep track of all your dates. When you filed, when you got your determination letter, when you filed each weekly claim. If something goes wrong you'll need those dates to sort it out. I keep a simple calendar with all my unemployment stuff marked on it.

Hope this helps the OP and anyone else trying to figure out the timing. The main thing is to file quickly and be patient with the process. It's frustrating but the benefits do eventually come through for most people.