AdSense

YouTube does not send you money directly. Earnings accumulate in a linked AdSense account, which holds your tax details, address, payment method and the monthly payout run. Joining the ad revenue tier of the Partner Programme requires an AdSense account either linked or ready to create, so it forms part of the application rather than something to sort out later. Payment only goes out once your balance clears Google's minimum, which means the first few months of a small channel's earnings sit in the account waiting. Verification is the usual delay, since Google confirms your identity and address before releasing anything.