Where to file and what you need before you start

Washington's Department of Employment & Economic Development (EEDD) handles unemployment claims. You file online through the WorkSource Washington portal at esd.wa.gov, or by phone at 1-800-318-6022 if you cannot use the website. There is no paper form to mail in — the state processes claims only through these two channels.

Before you open the portal or call, gather these documents: your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, the names and addresses of all employers you worked for in the past 18 months, your first and last day at each job, and how much you earned. If you were laid off, have the reason ready. If you quit, write down why. You will also need your bank account number and routing number if you want your payments deposited directly — this is faster than a debit card.

The filing process takes about 20 to 30 minutes online. The state will ask you to confirm your identity using ID.me, a third-party verification service. Have your phone ready because ID.me may ask you to take a photo of your ID or answer security questions on the spot.

Key Takeaways

  • File through esd.wa.gov or call 1-800-318-6022; Washington does not accept paper applications.
  • Have your Social Security number, ID, work history from the past 18 months, and bank account details ready before you start.
  • You must verify your identity through ID.me during the filing process, which takes a few extra minutes.
  • Washington pays unemployment for up to 26 weeks in most cases, but the amount depends on your earnings in the past year.
  • After you file, the state has up to 10 business days to review your claim and send you a information letter.

Step-by-step filing through the online portal

Step 1: Go to esd.wa.gov and create an account. Click "File a Claim" on the homepage. You will be asked to create a username and password. Use an email address you check regularly — the state will send updates and payment information to this address.

Step 2: Verify your identity with ID.me. The system will redirect you to ID.me's verification page. You can verify using your state ID, driver's license, or passport. Have the document in front of you. ID.me will ask you to take a photo of the front and back, then answer questions about your personal history (previous addresses, loan accounts, or other details from your credit file). This step usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. If ID.me cannot verify you when ready, you will receive an email with next steps — do not ignore it.

Step 3: Answer questions about your work history. The portal will ask you to list every employer from the past 18 months. For each job, enter the company name, address, phone number, your job title, the dates you worked, and your gross weekly earnings. If you do not know the exact address, the state will try to look it up by phone number. Be as accurate as possible — employers will receive a notice that you filed, and they may dispute information if it is wrong.

Step 4: Report your reason for separation. Select whether you were laid off, quit, or fired. If you were laid off, the state will ask whether it was temporary or permanent. If you quit, explain why — the reason matters for your claim. If you were fired, describe what happened. Do not leave this blank or write vague answers; the state uses this to decide whether you are disqualified.

Step 5: Report any income you expect in the coming weeks. The state asks whether you have a new job lined up, are self-employed, or expect any severance or vacation payout. Report all of it. Unreported income is grounds for overpayment recovery later.

Step 6: Set up payment and review your claim. Enter your bank account number and routing number for direct deposit, or choose to receive a debit card by mail. Review all the information you entered. Once you submit, you cannot change most answers — you can only file an appeal later if something is wrong.

What happens after you file

The state sends you a confirmation number when ready after you submit. Write this down or screenshot it. Within one business day, you will receive an email confirming that your claim was received. This is not a decision — it is just a receipt.

Washington then has up to 10 business days to review your claim. During this time, the state may contact your former employer to verify the reason you left. Your employer has a important date to respond, but delays happen. If the state needs more information from you, they will email or call the phone number you provided.

After the review, you will receive a information letter by mail and email. This letter says whether your claim was approved, denied, or approved with conditions (such as a waiting week). Keep this letter — you will need it to file your weekly claims. If you disagree with the decision, you have 30 days to file an appeal.

Filing your weekly claims after approval

Once your claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive a payment. You cannot file all your weeks at once. Washington requires you to file by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. for the week ending that Sunday.

Log back into esd.wa.gov and select "File Weekly Claim." You will answer four questions: Did you work this week? How many hours? How much did you earn? Are you able and available to work? Answer honestly. If you worked even a few hours, report it — the state will reduce your payment by a portion of what you earned, not eliminate it entirely.

The state processes weekly claims within two to three business days. If you filed on time and answered correctly, your payment will be deposited or your debit card will be loaded by Wednesday or Thursday of the following week. If you miss the Sunday important date, you lose that week's payment — there is no makeup filing.

Common mistakes that delay or deny claims

Incomplete work history. If you list a job but cannot remember the exact dates or the employer's phone number, the state will contact you to verify. Provide what you know and let them look up the rest. Leaving jobs off your list entirely is worse — if the state discovers unreported work later, they may deny your entire claim.

Vague or defensive answers about why you left. "Personal reasons" or "I just did" will trigger a request for more detail. If you quit, the state needs to know whether it was for good cause — illness, unsafe conditions, or a significant change in pay or hours count; wanting a different job does not. If you were fired, explain what happened without blaming the employer. The state is looking for facts, not your side of the story.

Not reporting income or side work. If you earned money from gig work, freelance jobs, or a new part-time position and did not report it on your initial claim or weekly claims, the state will discover it during verification. This creates an overpayment that you must repay. Report all income, even if you think it disqualifies you — the state will calculate your reduced benefit correctly.

Missing the weekly filing important date. The important date is Sunday at 11:59 p.m. for the week ending that Sunday. If you file on Monday, you lose that week's payment. Set a phone reminder or calendar alert.

How much you will receive and for how long

Washington pays unemployment for up to 26 weeks in a standard benefit year. The amount you receive each week depends on your earnings in the past year. The state calculates your weekly benefit amount (WBA) by dividing your total earnings in the highest-earning quarter of the past year by 26, then explore a state formula. The minimum is $70 per week; the maximum changes yearly and is set by the state legislature.

Your information letter will show your WBA. This is the amount you receive each week if you do not work. If you work part-time, the state reduces your payment dollar-for-dollar for earnings above $25 per week. For example, if your WBA is $400 and you earn $100 in a week, you receive $275 (the $400 minus the $100 earnings, minus the $25 disregard).

The 26-week limit is per benefit year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. If you exhaust your benefits before the year ends, you must wait until July 1 to file a new claim — unless Washington has activated an extended benefits program, which happens during periods of high unemployment.

If your claim is denied

A denial usually means the state found that you do not meet one of the basic requirements: you were not laid off without cause, you quit for reasons the state does not consider good cause, or you were fired for misconduct. The information letter will explain the reason.

You have 30 days from the date on the letter to file an appeal. Do this online through esd.wa.gov or by mail — the letter will tell you how. An appeal does not cost anything. You will be assigned a hearing date, usually within 30 to 60 days. You can attend by phone. Bring any documents that support your case: emails from your employer, a doctor's note if you quit due to illness, or a written statement from a coworker.

If you miss the 30-day important date, you lose the right to appeal that claim. You can file a new claim only after 30 days have passed since the denial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file by phone instead of online?

Yes. Call 1-800-318-6022 to file over the phone. Wait times are long, especially early in the week. You will still need to verify your identity, and the agent will ask the same questions as the online form. Filing online is usually faster unless you have a disability or language barrier that makes the website difficult.

What if I do not have a bank account for direct deposit?

Washington will mail you a debit card instead. The card arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can use it to withdraw cash at ATMs or make purchases. There is no fee to use the card, but some ATMs charge a surcharge. Direct deposit is faster and free, so open a bank account if you can.

Do I have to report a job offer or interview?

No. You only report work you actually did and income you actually earned. Job interviews and offers do not affect your claim. However, if you turn down a job offer without good cause, and your former employer or the state learns about it, you may be disqualified. Good cause includes pay below your usual rate, unsafe conditions, or a job in a field you are not trained for.

What if I was laid off but my employer says I quit?

Report what actually happened on your claim. The state will contact your employer to verify. If your employer disputes your account, the state will ask you for more detail — emails, a witness, or a written statement. Bring any documentation you have. The state decides based on the evidence, not just your employer's word.

Can I file a claim if I am still working part-time?

Yes. You can work part-time and receive a reduced unemployment payment. Report your hours and earnings on your weekly claim. The state will subtract your earnings (minus $25 per week) from your benefit amount. You must still be able and available to work full-time to remain on the claim.