When will I get my first unemployment payment from Washington ESD?

Usually takes about 10-14 days for your first payment after you file your initial claim and complete your first weekly claim. The waiting week requirement was eliminated a few years ago so you should get paid for that first week.

The timeline can vary depending on whether your claim needs adjudication. If Washington ESD needs to verify your employment history or if there are any issues with your eligibility, it could take longer. Check your account for any pending issues or requests for additional information.

I had the same anxiety when I first filed! My first payment took exactly 12 days from when I filed my initial claim. If you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD to check on your payment status, I discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

make sure you signed up for direct deposit or you'll be waiting even longer for a debit card to arrive in the mail

The system is SO slow right now. I've been waiting 3 weeks for my first payment and Washington ESD keeps telling me to 'be patient' when I call. This is ridiculous when people need money to survive!

Don't panic yet! Most people get their first payment within 2 weeks if there are no issues with their claim. The key is making sure you file your weekly claims on time every week.

I remember when I first filed, I was checking my bank account every day like a crazy person lol. The money will come, just be patient. Washington ESD is slow but they eventually pay what you're owed.

Pro tip: payments are usually processed Tuesday through Thursday, so don't expect anything on Mondays or Fridays. Also make sure your direct deposit information is correct in your account settings.

If you're really worried, you can try calling Washington ESD but good luck getting through. I spent literally 6 hours on hold last week just to ask a simple question about my payment date.

Just went through this same thing last month. Filed on a Wednesday, first weekly claim on Sunday, got paid the following Thursday. So about 8 days total from filing to receiving payment. Hang in there!

Make sure you didn't accidentally select the debit card option instead of direct deposit. The debit cards take like 7-10 business days to arrive in the mail before you can access your money.

The anxiety is real! I couldn't sleep for days waiting for my first payment. But once it starts coming regularly, you'll feel so much better. Washington ESD isn't perfect but they do eventually pay.

One more thing to check - make sure your bank doesn't have any restrictions on ACH deposits from government agencies. Some banks flag these as suspicious and delay them. You might want to call your bank to let them know to expect the deposit.

Washington ESD has been pretty reliable with payments lately. I've been getting mine every week like clockwork. The first one is just slower because they have to set everything up in the system.

If it makes you feel better, I got my first payment on day 11. It was a Thursday morning and I literally screamed when I saw it in my account lol. The relief was incredible.

Update us when you get your payment! It's always nice to hear success stories. And seriously, if you need to contact Washington ESD for any reason, Claimyr saved my sanity. Much better than sitting on hold forever.

The waiting is awful but try not to stress too much. Washington ESD is actually pretty good about getting that first payment out within 2 weeks. Just keep filing your weekly claims and it'll come through.

Good luck OP! The unemployment system isn't perfect but they do pay what they owe. Keep us posted on when you get that first payment!