Washington Unemployment Insurance

Am I Eligible?

You must

• have worked at least 680 hours in your base year.
• at least some wages must have been earned in Washington, unless you recently left the military and are currently located in Washington state.

What do I need to file my claim?

• Your Social Security number.
• Your name, birthdate and contact information (for example, mailing address, phone number and email address).
• Your highest level of education.
• The names and mailing addresses of all your employers during the past 18 months, including part-time and temporary jobs. (If you worked for more than 16 employers in the past 18 months, you must file your claim by phone (or persons with hearing or speaking impairments can call Washington Relay Service 711).
• The dates you worked for all employers in the past 18 months. Use your best estimate if you don't remember the exact dates.
• If you normally get your work through a union, the name and local number of your union.
• If you were in the military during the last 18 months, your DD-214, any member copy, 2 through 8.
• If you were a federal employee in the past 18 months, your Standard Form 8 (SF8), "Notice To Federal Employees About Unemployment Insurance." The Standard Form 50 (SF50), "Notice of Personnel Action" is not required, but will speed up the processing of your claim.
• Your citizenship status. If you're not an U.S. citizen, your work authorization information.
• If you apply for benefits online and want to sign up for direct deposit, your account and routing numbers for your bank or credit union.

How to apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits?

File online

• Go to the official website to file your claim

File by phone

• Call 800-318-6022
• Available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday

For more information, read the FAQs to know more about how to file for a claim in Washington.