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To file a claim for unemployment insurance benefits in Washington, call the claims center nearest you:
Seattle: (206) 340-0300
Spokane: (509) 892-6888
Tacoma: (253) 305-0300
All Other Areas: 1-800-318-6022
Español/Spanish: 1-800-318-1664
Hearing or Speech Impaired (TDD): 1-800-318-1665
File online:
You can also use the Internet to apply for unemployment insurance benefits in Washington.
Unemployment insurance is designed to assist workers unemployed through no fault of their own. Unemployment insurance is 100% funded by employers through payroll taxes. It is not based on financial need. Although weekly benefits are not meant to completely replace your regular earnings, the benefits can help you meet expenses until you find a new job. You are encouraged to apply during the first week you are laid off or your hours of work are reduced.
State of Washington Unemployment Benefits
If you are currently filing weekly claims in Washington but have moved or will be moving, file a change of address after you move. You can do this in three different ways: 1) online, 2) by calling the Weekly Claims Line, or 3) by calling your Unemployment Claims TeleCenter. You will continue to file your weekly claims as you do now. Although you are living in a different state, your claim will remain against Washington and you will continue to draw benefits from your Washington claim.
While still residing in Washington (WA), you may choose to file a new WA claim online or by calling your Unemployment Claims TeleCenter. If you have worked in WA and another state(s) in the past two years, you might be better off applying for a new claim against WA and combining your wages from the other state(s). Therefore, you may want to file your claim before you leave Washington state. You need to call your Unemployment Claims TeleCenter to file your new claim. You MAY NOT use the online application if you worked in two or more states during the last 18 months.
After moving to the new state, you may lose the ability to file a WA claim. If your claim is based on WA wages only, you will be eligible to file a WA claim, no matter where you are present when filing the claim. You can file online or by calling your Unemployment Claims TeleCenter at 1-800-362-4636. However, if you wish to file a claim using wages from more than one state, you must file the claim with the state in which you are physically present. If you are no longer in WA, you will not be able to file the claim with Washington State. You are also required to register for work in the new state at the nearest employment office. Check the government pages of your local telephone directory for the location of the nearest office.
After your new claim is filed and you move, file a change of address. You can do this in three different ways: (1) online, (2) by calling the Weekly Claims Line, or (3) by calling your Unemployment Claims TeleCenter. Once you establish a Washington claim, you will continue to draw from that claim, even when you move to a different state. If you have specific questions regarding your individual situation, call your Unemployment Insurance Claims TeleCenter
You will certify to a set of eligibility questions each week. The weekly certification (claiming) is the process that generates the weekly checks. You are not paid for the first eligible week of your claim. It is a waiting period week, but you must claim the week to have it count.
You cannot legally claim until the week is over, which is after midnight Saturday of the week you are claiming. This means that you will be entering your third week of unemployment before you claim for a payable week. You will usually receive your check within the same week you claim by telephone.
The way to stop your claim for unemployment insurance benefits is simple: Do not file your weekly claims. If you do not claim a week, you have stopped claiming.
You may stop claiming at any time during your benefit year and resume claiming the balance of your benefits until your benefit year ends, as long as all eligibility requirements are met. For example, you may take a vacation, have full-time temporary work, or you may become ill. You also may for many other reasons not be available for work or looking for work.
However, if you stop claiming, even for one week, you must call your TeleCenter to reopen your claim during the first week you are eligible and will want to claim.
Severance payments do not usually have any effect on receipt of benefits. However, "Pay in Lieu of Notice" or "Continuation Pay" with full benefits that are guaranteed can affect the receipt of unemployment benefits. Report any separation-related payments you receive or are entitled to receive to your Unemployment Claims TeleCenter.
Unemployment insurance is designed to assist you with living expenses while you search for employment. A basic requirement to be eligible for benefits each week is you must be able, available and actively seeking work.
If you are attending or plan to attend full-time training, you may be eligible for the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). You may be eligible for WIA if jobs for which you are qualified do not exist or are decreasing in your labor market. The training must be for an occupation or skill for which there are reasonable job opportunities when you complete the training.
To get instructions on filing a new claim for unemployment insurance benefits or reopening an existing claim, call the appropriate number listed below.
Unemployment information and weekly claims line telephone numbers:
Seattle: (206) 340-0300
Spokane: (509) 892-6888
Tacoma: (253) 305-0300
All Other Areas: 1-800-318-6022
Español/Spanish: 1-800-318-1664
Hearing or Speech Impaired (TDD): 1-800-318-1665
You can also use apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits, over a secure connection online.
For information about your claim for Unemployment Insurance Benefits, or to file your weekly claim certification, you can access the Unemployment Information and Weekly Claims Line from any touch-tone or rotary telephone. You can also file your weekly claims online.
When to Call: To file a claim, call anytime from 12:01 a.m. Sunday through 5 p.m. the last working day of the week -- this is usually a Friday except for state holidays. To inquire about your claim, you can call anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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The Workforce Investment Act is a government-funded program with the goal of providing adults with the education, skills and training they need to get and retain jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor works with states to provide money for workers, so they can afford career training for jobs that are in demand in local markets.
Learn more about the benefits of the Workforce Invesment Act.