Unemployment benefits

Unemployment benefits are made available through taxes paid by your former employer(s) to partially replace your regular earnings and help you meet expenses while you look for another job. These benefits are intended to assist workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own and are not based on financial need. While receiving benefits, it’s your responsibility to get back to work as quickly as you can.

   

Orient yourself with the online services we provide by visiting our UI customer service one-stop page.

  

On this page
Step 1: Eligibility | Step 2: Apply online or by phone | Step 3: After you apply | Step 4: Look for work | Step 5: File a weekly claim or reopen a claim | Additional benefit information

  

 

  

  

If you're out of work, and not sure if you're eligible for unemployment benefits, please use the links below for information about your possible eligibility.

 

Basic eligibility requirements | Laid off or fired | You quit | Military discharge | Federal employee | You were injured | Corporate officers | Strikes & labor disputes | Temporary layoffs, standby, and furloughs | Moving in or out of Washington state | Frequently asked questions | Unemployment benefits while in training

  

 

 

Whether you apply online or by phone, be sure to have the necessary information ready before you start. Both systems will "time out" after a short period to protect the security of your personal information.

 

 

Apply online 24 hours a day, seven days a week with eServices. It’s much faster. You must use a laptop or desktop computer for this initial step—not a mobile device.

Don’t have a computer? Stop by your local library or WorkSource center to use a computer.

To use eServices, you must:

1. Sign in to eServices with a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account. If you established a SAW account for WorkSourceWA.com or another state service, you can use that same user name and password. If not, follow the instructions to create a new SAW account.
2. Answer questions to verify your identity. You’ll only need to do this the first time you sign in. Don’t rush through the questions. If you answer incorrectly, the system will not recognize you. This added layer of security is designed to prevent identity thieves from accessing your account.
3. Confirm the computer or mobile device you are using the first time you sign in or whenever you use a new device.

A confirmation page appears when you successfully submit an application. You also will receive verification by email, if you gave us your email address and permission to correspond with you. 

  

Claim center agents answer your questions over the phone from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday (except holidays).

You can apply for unemployment benefits by phone from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays-Fridays according to the Social Security number shedule listed above.

 

You will receive an Unemployment claim determination letting you know if you are eligible for benefits and how much you will receive. Please let us know immediately if you find errors.

 

Sign up for direct deposit | Sign up for a benefits debit card | How soon will payments start | Estimate your benefit amount | See our jobs and training section | Update your information

 

 

 

Unless we tell you otherwise, you must look for a job and keep a written record of your job search efforts.  You also must respond quickly if we ask to see these records.

  

WorkSource can help you improve your job-search skills, find your next job and plan your career path.  Read the results of a study to learn how well WorkSource works!

  

 

After you apply for unemployment benefits, you must submit a weekly claim for every week you wish to receive benefits. Your weekly claim covers the prior week. For unemployment purposes, a week runs from Sunday through Saturday – you cannot claim for the week until it is over.

 

How & when to submit a weekly claim | Weekly claim application questions |  Watch weekly claim video | Missed a week of filing?

  

 

After you apply for unemployment benefits, you must submit a weekly claim online for every week you wish to receive benefits. You can submit your weekly claims online 24 hours a day, seven days a week on any device.

  

 

If you were approved for unemployment benefits within the past 12 months, but stopped claiming for a week or more for any reason, don't submit a new application. You can restart your claim this week, then begin filing weekly claims next week, as normal.

  

 

Benefit denials & appeals | Overpayments | Benefit extensions | Reporting fraud | Get your 1099-G tax statement