While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

  1. What Is Unemployment Insurance?
  2. What Are Unemployment Insurance Benefits?
  3. How to Qualify for Unemployment Benefits
  4. When to Apply for Unemployment
  5. How to Apply for Washington Unemployment Insurance
  6. How Unemployment Insurance Benefit Amounts Are Calculated
  7. I Just Applied for Unemployment Insurance. Now What?
  8. What Happens After You Are Approved for Unemployment Benefits?
  9. How to Appeal a Denial of Unemployment Benefits
  10. Need More Help?
  11. View or Download Our Free Guide

What Is Unemployment Insurance?

Unemployment Insurance is a benefit program designed to replace part of the income of recently unemployed or underemployed workers. Unemployment Insurance is available to workers who are out of work through no fault of their own.

Learn more about Unemployment on Washington’s Unemployment Program Overview page here.

What Are Unemployment Insurance benefits?

Unemployment Insurance benefits are weekly payments that are given to eligible workers who apply to and are accepted into the program. These payments can be provided via a direct deposit to their bank account.

You can learn more about how Unemployment Insurance payments work here.

How to Qualify for Unemployment Benefits

To qualify for Unemployment Insurance in Washington, you must:

  • Have lost your job due to no fault of your own.
  • Be able to work.
  • Be actively seeking work.
  • Meet Washington’s monetary and personal eligibility requirements.

You can learn more about Washington’s eligibility requirements to qualify for Unemployment here.

When to Apply for Unemployment

Apply for benefits online here during the week you are seeking payment, when your hours have been reduced or when you are no longer employed. Do NOT wait until the week is over.

Learn more information on when to apply for Unemployment Insurance here.

How to Apply for Washington Unemployment Insurance

To apply for Unemployment Insurance in Washington, complete the following three steps:

  1. Gather the documentation related to your previous employment and information you will need for the application.

Learn what documents and information you need here.

  1.   Choose how you are going to apply, whether online or by phone.

The Washington Employment Security Department does not accept claims in
person at this time.

To apply for Unemployment Insurance online, click here to access Washington’s Unemployment claim portal.

To apply for Unemployment Insurance by phone, call (800) 318-6022.

  1.   Submit the Unemployment application, which is also known as filing a claim.

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, you can contact the Washington Employment Security Department’s main office Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM at (833) 572-8400

How Are Unemployment Insurance Amounts Calculated?

The amount of Unemployment Benefits you receive is based on your past reported earnings by employers that you have worked for in Washington. To determine how much an applicant will receive each week, the Washington Employment Security Department takes the two highest-earning quarters in the applicant’s base period, divides the amount by 2, and then multiplies the result by 0.0385.

The maximum weekly benefit amount is $1,019.

To find out more about the base period and how benefits are calculated, click here.

I Just Applied for Unemployment Insurance. Now What?

  1.     Report Your Waiting Week

The Waiting Week is the week after you file your unemployment claim. During the Waiting Week, you must file a Weekly Claim through the claimant portal here or by calling (800) 318-6022. The Unemployment Office will make sure you are still unemployed or underemployed, and meet all other eligibility requirements. If approved, you will begin receiving your weekly benefits the following week. You are not paid for the Waiting Week, but you do receive a Waiting Week credit.

Learn more about the Waiting Week and how to file a Weekly Claim here.

  1. Start Looking for Work

Keep track of your work-search contacts. You are required to make at least two contacts per week to receive payments and waiting week credit.

  1.   Discuss Possible Issues

If you were discharged or quit your last job, expect a call (or email if that is your preferred contact method) to determine if you are eligible for unemployment insurance.

You can learn more about what to expect after applying here.

What Happens After You Are Approved for Unemployment Benefits?

You must file a Weekly Claim every week you are receiving Unemployment Benefits until you are employed again. This weekly claim is like a follow-up application that certifies your continued eligibility for the program, and proves you are actively applying for new jobs.

Learn more about the Weekly Claim here. File your Weekly Claim here.

It’s important to remember that you will stop receiving Unemployment Benefits and your Unemployment Claim will be canceled if you have not filed Weekly Claims for two or more consecutive weeks.

How to Appeal a Denial of Unemployment Benefits

If your Unemployment Insurance application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal.

If you would like to submit an appeal to the Washington Employment Security Department as quickly as possible, you can appeal online here.

You can also obtain an appeal request form here, which you can submit by mail or by fax to the Claims Center. You can fax your appeal to (800) 301-1795 or mail it to the following address:

Claims Center AppealsP.O. Box 19018Olympia, WA 98507

Remember to continue filing your weekly claim with the Washington ESD even if you are waiting on your appeal to ensure you receive benefits during those weeks if your determination is changed.

Need More Help?

If you need help with an application or you have any further questions about your claim, you can call the Employment Security Department at (833) 572-8400.

The Washington Employment Security Department’s customer service line is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM until 4:00 PM, except for the observed holidays listed here.

You can also call your nearest WorkSource Unemployment Office for further assistance. You can find the location nearest you and its contact information here.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.

  1. Contact the Washington Employment Security Department
  2. Unemployment Offices in Washington
  3. Need More Help?
  4. View or Download Our Free Guide

Contact the Washington Employment Security Department

If you have general questions about the Unemployment Benefits provided in Washington, you can call the Washington Employment Security Department’s customer service center at (833) 572-8400. This line can assist with frequently asked questions regarding unemployment claims. The customer service line is available from 7:00 AM until 4:00 PM every day, except for the observed holidays listed here.

For basic questions about Unemployment Insurance, you can also chat with a live operator on the WorkSource website here.

*Note that live operators will not be able to access your Unemployment Claim information.

If you would like to apply for Unemployment Insurance, you can contact the automated system at (800) 318-6022 from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday to Saturday.

If you would like to submit a weekly claim, you can use the automated system from 12:01 AM on Sunday to 4:00 PM Friday.

*Note that live agents are not available through this line.

To arrange for a repayment of benefits that you were not eligible to receive, contact the Washington Employment Security Department at (360) 902-9770 or (866) 697-4831.

Unemployment Offices in Washington

Washington has 114 Unemployment Offices called WorkSource Centers. Find your nearest local Unemployment Office’s location, hours of operation, and phone number here.

You cannot apply for Unemployment Insurance in person in Washington. However, if you do not have a computer and need to apply for Unemployment Benefits online, you can visit your local WorkSource center to use a computer. WorkSource Centers also provide employment and training services to job seekers and employers in Washington.

Need More Help?

To find more information on Washington Unemployment Benefits and Services, visit:

  •  The Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) website here.
  • The Washington (ESD) Frequently Asked Questions page here.

To file an Unemployment Insurance claim:

  • Visit the Washington Unemployment Insurance claimant portal here.
  • Call (800) 318-6022. 

If you have a question about Washington Business Unemployment Insurance visit the Washington Employer Resources page here.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.

  1. How to Apply for Washington Unemployment Insurance
  2. How to Check Your Application Status
  3. The Unemployment Benefits Waiting Week
  4. How to Appeal a Denial of Unemployment Benefits
  5. Need More Help?
  6. View or Download Our Free Guide

How to Apply for Washington Unemployment Insurance

To apply for Unemployment Insurance in Washington, complete the following three steps:

  1. Gather the documentation related to your previous employment and information you will need for the application.

Learn what documents and information you need here.

  1.   Choose how you are going to apply, whether online or by phone.

The Washington Employment Security Department does not accept claims in
person at this time.

To apply for Unemployment Insurance online, click here to access Washington’s Unemployment claim portal.

To apply for Unemployment Insurance by phone, call (800) 318-6022

  1.   Submit the Unemployment application, which is also known as filing a claim.

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, you can contact the Washington Employment Security Department’s main office Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM at (833) 572-8400

How to Check Your Application Status

If you have already applied for Unemployment Insurance online, you can check the status of your application by logging in to the state portal here.

You can also check the status of your application by calling the Washington Employment Security Department’s customer service line at (800) 318-6022.

The Unemployment Benefits Waiting Week

You will not begin receiving Unemployment Benefits immediately after submitting the application. By law, you must wait one week before finding out whether you will begin receiving benefits. This is called the Waiting Week.

The Waiting Week is the week after you file your unemployment claim. During the Waiting Week, you must file a Weekly Claim through the claimant portal here or by calling (800) 318-6022. The Unemployment Office will make sure you are still unemployed or underemployed, and meet all other eligibility requirements. If approved, you will begin receiving your weekly benefits the following week. You are not paid for the Waiting Week, but you do receive a Waiting Week credit.

Learn more about the Waiting Week and how to file a Weekly Claim here.

How to Appeal a Denial of Unemployment Benefits

If your Unemployment Insurance application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal.

If you would like to submit an appeal to the Washington Employment Security Department as quickly as possible, you can appeal online here.

You can also obtain an appeal request form here, which you can submit by mail or by fax to the Claims Center. You can fax your appeal to (800) 301-1795 or mail it to the following address:

Claims Center AppealsP.O. Box 19018Olympia, WA 98507

Remember to continue filing your weekly claim with the Washington ESD even if you are waiting on your appeal to ensure you receive benefits during those weeks if your determination is changed.

Need More Help?

If you need help with an application or you have any further questions about your claim, you can call the Employment Security Department at (833) 572-8400.

The Washington Employment Security Department’s customer service line is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM until 4:00 PM, except for the observed holidays listed here.

You can also call your nearest WorkSource Unemployment Office for further assistance. You can find the location nearest you and its contact information here.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.