Washington Unemployment
What you need to know to claim unemployment benefits in Washington, read on the agency's own website. The agency is Employment Security Department (ESD).
the most a week, for up to 26 weeks
job search activities a week
Claims Center: talk with a claims agent about unemployment benefits (English or Spanish)
How to file for unemployment in Washington
Apply online in eServices, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or by phone at the Claims Center, 800-318-6022. Apply within 2 weeks of leaving your job. Afterwards, register with WorkSource at WorkSourceWA.com within 1 week of being told your benefit rights.
From the agency's own page, read October 14, 2026.
After you apply: claiming each week
File a claim each week you want benefits, starting the week after you apply, even while waiting to hear if you qualify. A week is Sunday to Saturday and can be claimed once it is over: online in eServices between 12 a.m. Sunday and 11:59 p.m. Saturday, or by phone at 800-318-6022 (automated from 12 a.m. Sunday to 4 p.m. Friday, or with a claims agent).
From the agency's own page, read October 14, 2026.
How much unemployment pays in Washington, and for how long
The most you can get is $1,208 a week. Benefits last up to 26 weeks.
Add your gross wages from the 2 base year quarters when you earned the most, divide by 2 and multiply by 0.0385, up to the maximum of $1,208 a week, rounded down to the nearest dollar.
From the agency's own page, read October 14, 2026.
The most weeks: from another of the agency's pages, read October 14, 2026. The page says you can usually get up to 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits during your benefit year.
How many jobs you must apply for each week
Washington asks for 3 job search activities a week. The same activity repeated does not count; applying for different jobs at the same company does.
Keep a written log (ESD's job search log or similar) for at least 30 days after the benefit year ends or after benefits stop, whichever is later; ESD may ask for it at any time.
From the agency's own page, read October 14, 2026.
Our free job application tracker keeps the list: where you applied, when, and what came of it.
Washington unemployment phone number
Call 800-318-6022 (claims Center: talk with a claims agent about unemployment benefits (English or Spanish)), Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 8 a.m. to noon. Every line and what it is for.
Where this comes from
Everything on this page was read on the agency's own website, and each part links the page it came from and the day we read it. Rules and amounts change, so check that page before you rely on a figure. Jobareer is not part of any state agency and cannot see or change your claim.
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