Only use official websites
Be aware of fake websites. Our websites are:
- Employment Security Department (ESD): esd.wa.gov.
- ESD eServices: secure.esd.wa.gov.
- Paid Family & Medical Leave: paidleave.wa.gov.
- WorkSource: WorkSourceWA.com.
Never pay to apply
Applying for unemployment benefits is free. Applying for Paid Family & Medical Leave is free. All WorkSource services are free. We will never ask for payment to process your claim. We will not ask you to buy gift cards or make payments over the phone.
Use eServices to verify requests for unemployment information
We will never ask for information about unemployment benefits by phone or text that we have not first asked for by mail or through eServices. If you are unsure about a request, use eServices.
Do not answer questions about others
We will never ask for unemployment benefits information about others living at your address. We will not provide information about another person. We will tell you that we cannot confirm or deny any information about others.
Protect your personal information
We will never ask for:
- Your bank account number outside of eServices. You provide it in eServices if you set up direct deposit for unemployment benefits.
- Your Social Security number over email. We will ask for your Social Security number when you call us and in eServices.
- Your account username, password or access to eServices.