Data sharing requests

Much of the information we collect is confidential and only available to certain people rather than available to the public. Learn who can request such information, and how to do so.

In the course of administering unemployment insurance programs and benefits, we collect information from individuals, employers and WorkSource service providers. Some of that information is public; most is confidential. Information that identifies a person or an employer is protected by Employment Security, in accordance with stringent state and federal laws. Those laws allow us to release some confidential information, if the request or requester meets specific requirements.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not the correct location for a public records request. To make a request, please visit the "requesting public records" web page.


How to request confidential information

  • Complete and submit the online request form.
  • We will send you an email notification as soon as we receive your request. The email will contain the information you entered into the form.
  • We will then review your request to determine if we may legally release the information.
  • If your request falls within our legal limitations, we will send a Data Sharing Information Technology Questionnaire, within 30 days. The questionnaire will need to be answered and returned, to make sure you have the proper safeguards for our confidential data. If the proper safeguards are in place and you are approved, we will begin the data-sharing contract* negotiations within 10 business days of approval.
  • If denied, within 30 business days, we will send you an email letting you know.

*Contracts are legally binding and spell out the conditions for using data and the penalties and costs [RCW 50.13.060(13); TEGL 39-11] for disclosing it, whether intentional or unintentional. Recipients of confidential information will be responsible for reimbursing all costs arising from violations of the term and conditions, including but not limited to investigation, prosecution and costs incurred by the department for resolving customer complaints resulting from the violation.


Who may be eligible to receive confidential data and information?

  • Local, state or federal public officials.
  • Local, state or federal governmental agencies for official purposes (20 CFR 603.5) (RCWs 50.13.050, 50.13.060, 50.13.070, 50.38, 39.34, 9.94A.760)
  • WorkSource partners (RCW 50.13.060.11(a))
  • Private contractors/researchers hired by U.S. Department of Labor to evaluate federal Office of Management and Budget approved unemployment-insurance or Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs.
  • Private contractors/researchers hired by Employment Security (informed-consent release required**).
  • Private organizations or individuals or an agent/attorney for an individual or employer (informed-consent release required**).
  • Anyone seeking aggregated information about groups or industries that does not identify individuals or businesses.

**Informed-consent release: Requester must have signed permission from individuals or employers before confidential information may be released. The requester must: Identify the information to be disclosed, acknowledge that state government files will be accessed to obtain the information, identify the purpose for obtaining the information and list the parties who may receive the information.


Information we collect:

Confidential

  • Social Security numbers; other state and federal identification numbers
  • Names of individuals and businesses
  • Addresses of individuals* and businesses.
    *If an individual is in the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), actual addresses are withheld, even if requestor is approved to receive confidential information.
  • Wages paid to individuals

Publicly available

  • Aggregated information where individuals and businesses can't be identified
  • Industry information
  • Total wages for groups or industries
  • Taxable wages for groups or industries
  • Information obtained during hearings and appeals decisions [unless closed by presiding officer (RCW 34.05.449(5))]

Where to find publicly available unemployment benefits information


Contact us
datasharing@esd.wa.gov