Tips to apply for unemployment benefits

Published 1:44 pm Monday, December 22, 2008

The Washington State Department of Employment Security offers the following tips to make it easier for people to apply for unemployment benefits:

For faster service, file online at www.esd.wa.gov. If you call by phone, the best times are Wednesdays and Thursdays. The toll-free number is 800-318-6022. Eligibility is generally based on three things: your employment history, the reason you became unemployed, and your ability to work.

In general, workers whose employers do not pay unemployment taxes (such as real estate sales, some non-profit organizations and churches) typically are not eligible for benefits. Be sure to have the necessary documentation to file your unemployment claim, including the names and addresses of all your employers during the last two years, as well as the dates you worked for those employers. You will also be asked for your social security number and the reason you became unemployed. Additional documentation may be required for union members, former military personnel, federal employees and legal aliens.