Unemployment Insurance Benefits offered by Washington State Employment Security
Provides initial claim application and certification process for unemployment insurance benefits. A Washington claim is available only for the benefit year. Another new claim cannot be filed until that year is over. Washington state offers up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. Application for Benefits and Weekly Claims is available in Spanish. Weekly Claims Line Filing Instructions are available in the following languages: - Amharic - Arabic - Cambodian - Chinese - Farsi - Korean - Laotian - Oromo - Punjabi - Russian - Somali - Spanish - Tagalog - Vietnamese To be eligible for unemployment benefits, individuals must be able to work, be available for work and actively seek work. Each week a claim is filed, claimants must make at least three work search contacts or participate in an approved in-person job search activity at the local WorkSource center. Employment Security Department is a lead partner in WorkSource. The website at www.esd. wa.gov, administered by the Employment Security Department (ESD), also lists jobs in the state of Washington. Individuals may access this website and search for jobs by county and title of occupation. Job seekers may also access the website at www.worksourcewa.com. Offers worker retraining services as a partnership between community and technical colleges and the Washington State Employment Security. Provides funding and other resources to enable unemployed individuals to acquire the skills needed to return to work. This could mean a short-term skills upgrade or a new career path and enrollment in a professional technical program.
Physical Address
Hours
Unemployment Claim Center: M-F, 8am-4pm.
Voice
Application process
Call the main line to apply or access the website. Phone or Internet applications are required. To apply for benefits by telephone, a claimant will need their Social Security number. Call must be made before 4pm on Friday in order to receive credit for the week.
Fee
None.
Eligibility
Anyone in Washington state who has worked at least 680 hours during the base year (determined by Employment Security) can file for unemployment. Eligibility is dependent upon an individual's ability to work, availability for work and the reason (lay-off, discharge, voluntary quit) for present unemployment. At least some wages must have been earned in Washington, unless you recently left the military and are currently located in Washington state.
Languages
Multi-lingual materials
Interpreter services
Spanish
Service area
WA
Agency info
Washington State Employment Security
Coordinates the unemployment insurance benefits program for the state of Washington. Program includes benefits for individuals who voluntarily leave work due to domestic violence or stalking. Provides services to citizens seeking work through WorkSource centers located around the state.