What you need to do to file in Washington

To file a Washington unemployment claim, you go to the Washington State Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) website and create an account in their system called WorkSource. You will answer questions about your job loss, your work history, and your income. The state then reviews your answers to decide whether you meet Washington's rules for receiving benefits. The whole process is online — there is no paper form to mail or office to visit in person.

Washington requires you to file within 30 days of losing your job, though filing sooner is better because benefits do not start until the week you file. If you wait, you lose the money for those earlier weeks. You can file on your phone, tablet, or computer, and you need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your last employer.

Key Takeaways

  • File through the WorkSource website at wa.gov/unemployment as soon as you lose your job, because benefits start the week you file, not the week you lost work.
  • Have your Social Security number, Washington ID or driver's license number, and your last employer's name and address ready before you start.
  • Washington requires you to earn at least $1,500 in the past 12 months and to have worked at least 680 hours in the past 12 months to receive benefits.
  • After you file, you must report your work search activity every two weeks or your benefits will stop, even if you were approved.
  • If the state denies your claim, you have 30 days to request a hearing and explain why you think the decision was wrong.

Information to gather before you start

Open a document or piece of paper and write down the following before you log into WorkSource. Having this ready means you will not get stuck mid-process and lose your progress.

You need your Social Security number and your Washington driver's license number or state ID number. You also need the name, address, and phone number of the employer you just left. If you worked for a large company with multiple locations, include the specific location where you worked. Write down the dates you worked there — the month and year you started and the month and year you stopped. If you were laid off, fired, or quit, write down the reason in your own words.

You will also need to list any other jobs you held in the past 12 months. For each one, write down the employer name, address, dates worked, and how much you earned. If you do not know the exact amount, a rough total is fine — the state can verify it with your employer later. If you received unemployment benefits in another state in the past 12 months, write down which state and when.

Step-by-step: filing your claim

Step 1: Go to the WorkSource website. Open a web browser and go to wa.gov/unemployment. Click the button that says "File a Claim" or "Create an Account." You will be asked to enter your email address and create a password. Use an email you check regularly, because the state will send you messages there about your claim.

Step 2: Answer the personal information questions. The system will ask for your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and Washington ID or driver's license number. It will also ask for your phone number and mailing address. Make sure the address matches what is on your ID, because the state may mail you documents.

Step 3: Report your job loss. You will enter the name and address of the employer you just left. The system will ask when your last day of work was and why you are no longer working there. If you were laid off, select "Lack of Work" or "Layoff." If you were fired, select "Discharged" and briefly describe what happened. If you quit, select "Quit" and explain why — for example, "Unsafe working conditions" or "Lack of promised hours." Be honest; the state will contact your employer to verify your answer.

Step 4: Report your work history. List every job you held in the past 12 months, including the one you just left. For each job, enter the employer name, address, dates worked, and total earnings. If you are not sure of the exact earnings, enter your best estimate.

Step 5: Report any other income. The system will ask whether you received any other income in the past 12 months — for example, self-employment income, severance pay, vacation payout, or unemployment benefits from another state. Report everything, because the state will find out anyway and lying can result in overpayment penalties.

Step 6: Review and submit. Read through your answers one more time. Check that dates, employer names, and amounts are correct. When you are ready, click "Submit Claim." The system will show you a confirmation number. Write this down or take a screenshot — you will need it if you have questions later.

What happens after you file

Within one to three business days, you will receive an email confirming that your claim was received. The state then has up to two weeks to review your answers and decide whether you meet Washington's rules. During this time, they may contact your employer to verify that you worked there and why you left.

If the state approves your claim, you will receive a letter in the mail with your weekly benefit amount and instructions for reporting your work search activity. You must report every two weeks, even if you did not work. If you do not report, your benefits will stop when ready. You can report online through WorkSource, by phone, or by mail — the letter will explain all three options.

If the state denies your claim, you will receive a letter explaining why. Common reasons include not earning enough in the past 12 months, not working enough hours, or being fired for misconduct. You have 30 days from the date on the letter to request a hearing. At the hearing, you can explain your side of the story to a judge, and your employer can explain theirs. The judge will then decide whether to overturn the denial.

Washington's earnings and hours requirements

Washington has two rules you must meet. First, you must have earned at least $1,500 in the past 12 months. This is a low bar — most people who worked even a few weeks will clear it. Second, you must have worked at least 680 hours in the past 12 months. This is roughly 13 hours per week for a full year, or 40 hours per week for 17 weeks.

The state counts hours and earnings from the past 12 months, measured backward from the week you file. If you file on a Tuesday in March 2025, the state looks at March 2024 through March 2025. If you worked multiple jobs during that time, the state adds up the hours and earnings from all of them.

If you worked part-time or had gaps in employment, you may still meet the hours requirement. For example, if you worked 30 hours per week for 23 weeks, you would have 690 hours, which is above the 680 threshold. If you are unsure whether you meet the requirement, file anyway — the state will tell you if you do not, and you can request a hearing to dispute their calculation.

Reporting your work search activity every two weeks

Once your claim is approved, you must report every two weeks that you are looking for work. This is not optional — if you miss a report, your benefits stop. You do not have to find a job; you just have to show that you are trying.

Each report should list the employers you contacted, the date you contacted them, and how you contacted them (in person, phone, email, online process). You need at least three work search contacts per week. If you worked during the week, you still have to report, but the hours you worked count toward your work search requirement — so if you worked 20 hours, you only need one additional work search contact that week.

You can report online through WorkSource, by phone at 1-800-318-6022, or by mail. The state will send you instructions with your approval letter. Reports are due by midnight on the Sunday of the week you are reporting for. If you miss the important date, call the state right away and ask to file a late report — they may allow it if you have a good reason.

Common reasons claims are denied

The most common reason the state denies a claim is that you were fired for misconduct. In Washington, "misconduct" means you deliberately broke a rule or did something you knew was wrong. If you were fired for being late, sleeping on the job, or being rude to a customer, the state may deny your claim. If you were fired for making an honest mistake or for not being good enough at the job, you may still be approved.

Another common reason is that you quit without good cause. If you quit because you did not like the job or wanted to try something else, the state will deny your claim. If you quit because of unsafe conditions, harassment, or a significant cut in hours or pay, you may be approved. Be specific when you explain why you quit — vague answers make it harder for the state to approve you.

A third reason is not meeting the earnings or hours requirement. If you worked very little in the past 12 months, you may not may have access to. If this is your situation, request a hearing and bring pay stubs or tax documents to prove how much you earned and worked.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money will I get each week?

Washington calculates your weekly benefit amount based on how much you earned in the past 12 months. The state divides your total earnings by 52 and pays you roughly 50 percent of that amount, up to a maximum. The maximum changes each year; in 2024 it was $1,116 per week. The state will tell you your exact weekly amount in the approval letter.

Can I file if I was laid off due to lack of work?

Yes. Lack of work is the most common reason people file in Washington, and it almost always results in approval as long as you meet the earnings and hours requirements. When you file, select "Lack of Work" or "Layoff" as the reason you are no longer working. You do not need a letter from your employer — the state will contact them to verify.

What if I was fired?

You can still file, but the state will look closely at why you were fired. If you were fired for misconduct — deliberately breaking a rule or doing something you knew was wrong — your claim may be denied. If you were fired for poor performance or an honest mistake, you may be approved. When you file, explain exactly what happened. If the state denies your claim, request a hearing and bring any documents that support your side of the story.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

If your claim is approved, you will receive your first payment within two to three weeks of filing. The state pays by direct deposit into a bank account or onto a debit card. Make sure you provide correct banking information when you file, or your payment will be delayed.

What if I find a part-time job while receiving benefits?

You can work and still receive benefits, but your weekly benefit amount will be reduced. Washington allows you to earn up to a certain amount per week without losing benefits; anything you earn above that amount is deducted from your benefit. When you report every two weeks, you must report the hours and pay from any work you did. The state will calculate your benefit for that week based on your earnings.