When do you get your waiting week unemployment payment in Washington ESD?

Oh wow, so I have to wait the entire benefit year? That seems like a really long time to wait for one week's worth of benefits.

Yeah I know it's frustrating but that's how Washington ESD does it. It's basically their way of making sure you complete your full claim period without issues.

No, the waiting week is still in effect for regular UI claims in Washington. Your friend might have been on a different type of claim or filed during a different period.

Hmm maybe she was thinking of the pandemic benefits? Those worked differently I think.

I was just laid off because my company downsized. Nothing special about it, so I guess I'm stuck waiting until the end.

Same situation here. It's really annoying having to wait a whole year for that money when you need it most at the beginning.

Really? I've been trying to get through for weeks. How much does something like that cost?

They focus on the value of actually reaching an agent rather than spending all day calling. Way better than the endless busy signals and disconnections I was getting before.

I'm skeptical of services like that but honestly after calling Washington ESD 50+ times with no luck, I might try anything at this point.

totally agree!! it's like they want to make it as hard as possible to get help

The waiting week serves as a deterrent to prevent people from filing frivolous claims. It's been a standard part of unemployment systems for decades.

Still seems punitive to people who genuinely need help though.

No, that's completely normal. As long as your other weekly claims are processing correctly, the waiting week will just sit there until the end of your benefit year.

Ok good, I was starting to panic that I had messed something up in my initial filing.

No, if you return to work and stop filing weekly claims, you forfeit the waiting week payment. It only gets paid if you complete your full benefit year or exhaust all your benefits.

Wow that seems really unfair. So there's actually a penalty for finding work quickly?

Yeah it's messed up. The system doesn't really incentivize getting back to work fast.

That gives me hope! Did you have to do anything special or did it just automatically process?

Completely automatic. I think it was around week 24 or 25 of my claim when it finally showed up as paid.

Easy to say when you have the luxury of savings. Not everyone can put money aside when they're living paycheck to paycheck.

Fair point. I just meant it as general advice, not trying to shame anyone.

Yes, as long as you're still filing weekly claims and haven't returned to full-time work, the waiting week should eventually be paid when you reach the end of your benefit year.

Good to know, thanks. I've been working part time but still filing because my hours got cut so much.

Good to hear another confirmation about Claimyr working. I'm definitely going to try it next time I need to reach Washington ESD.

Same here. Tired of spending entire days trying to get through on the phone.

If there's an overpayment that needs to be recovered, they'll typically deduct it from future payments including the waiting week payment. So you might get a reduced waiting week payment or no payment at all depending on the overpayment amount.

That's what I was afraid of. Hopefully my claim stays clean through the end.

Let us know when it comes through! I'm curious to see if it happens automatically or if you have to do anything special.

Will do! I'll update this thread when I see it hit my account.

I'm in the same boat - week 24 right now. Hoping it processes smoothly at the end.

For me it was a separate deposit that came a few days after my last regular weekly claim. Showed up as its own transaction.

Thanks! Good to know what to expect when I get there.

Which states don't have waiting weeks? Might be useful to know for people considering relocating for work.

I know New York eliminated theirs a few years ago. Not sure about others off the top of my head.

Most states still have waiting weeks. It's pretty standard across the country, though the specific rules vary.

That's three people now who've had success with it. Definitely going to give it a try.

Same here. At this point I'll try anything to avoid the regular phone system.

Yes, if you exhaust your benefits early, the waiting week should be paid along with your final payment. You don't have to wait the full 26 weeks in that case.

That's a relief. I'm getting close to exhausting mine and was worried I'd lose that week entirely.

I feel this so much. Like they want you to give up and just not claim benefits.

Unfortunately that's probably part of the design. Reduce costs by making it difficult to access.

That's actually a helpful way to think about it. Makes it feel less like they're withholding money and more like delayed payment.

Good perspective. Still annoying but at least it makes sense when you frame it that way.

Agreed! Really glad I asked about this. Now I know to just be patient and wait until the end of my benefit year.

Same here. Was getting worried something was wrong with my account but sounds like everything is normal.