- ESD
Released on
Washington State's Employment Security Department (ESD) is thrilled to announce the launch of our new website. We've been working behind the scenes to create an improved experience. Our site visitors include unemployment claimants, employers, job seekers, and other state agencies.
Why the change?
We know that navigating our previous website could be a bit of a challenge. That's why we embarked on a journey to redesign it from the ground up. We conducted surveys, tests and studies to identify areas where we could improve.
What's new?
You can watch the video linked below or continue reading. There are closed captions available in multiple languages.
We have not changed our unemployment and other applications. But we have made these significant improvements:
Central login page
We created a single point where employers and job seekers can log into services, such as:
- eServices.
- Employer Account Management System (EAMS).
- Paid Leave.
- WorkSource.
- SecureAccess Washington (SAW).
Pathway pages
These landing pages make it easier to find your way around complex programs and services, with clear, easy-to-follow links. For example, here's a pathway page to the section about unemployment benefits.
Eligibility checkers
Users now have access to three “checkers.” Give them a try! They ask a series of questions to steer users to likely answers to these common questions:
- What type of benefits might I qualify for? Try out this checker at the bottom of the Get financial help page.
- Am I eligible for unemployment benefits? Check out this one on the Basic eligibility requirements page.
- (For employers) Is a worker I hired an employee or an independent contractor? Find this checker on the Independent contractors page under “Test your worker’s status.”
Clear content
We edited the content of about 200 pages to make it easier to understand.
Improved accessibility
Our website is now more accessible on desktop and mobile devices. We improved our heading structures and added descriptions to images. Additionally, we completed several accessibility reviews.
Definitions of terms
Check it out! You can find the link to this page of definitions in the footer.
Plus, on many pages, we link to a particular definition. For example, look for the little book icons next to several terms on this How to apply page. Select the links to see the definitions pop up.
Improved navigation and search
We reorganized and simplified our menu navigation to help you find what you need. Our site search was also improved to give you more accurate results.
What we will do next
We will continue to improve content the website. We often test pages with real users to improve the site.
We want your feedback
We believe the recent changes will make our website more efficient and enjoyable. As you explore it, look at the bottom of any page to share your thoughts and suggestions. Your feedback is valuable and will help us continue to improve.