Employment Security Department — 1-800-318-6022
+18003186022,,1,,1,,2
Commas are ~1-second pauses. Automates the menu on every redial.
Weekly certifications and claim status can be handled online at esd.wa.gov or through the Washington Unemployment app.
We auto-dial, navigate the menu, and call you when a live ESD agent is on the line. Average connection: 27 minutes.
| Line | Phone Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| UI Claims Center | 1-800-318-6022 | M–F 8am–4pm PT |
| Spanish-language UI line | 1-800-318-6022 → press 2 | M–F 8am–4pm PT |
| ESD Fraud Hotline | 1-800-246-9763 | 24/7 |
| TTY (hearing impaired) | 711 | M–F 8am–4pm PT |
A standby claim allows workers who expect to be recalled by their employer (typically within 8 weeks) to receive unemployment benefits without fulfilling the normal job search requirements. If you're on standby status and have a question about your eligibility or your employer's recall status, you'll need to call ESD directly — standby status cannot be fully managed online.
ESD may issue a denial if there's a discrepancy between your stated separation reason and your employer's reported reason, an identity verification issue, or a missing document. Denials can be appealed within 30 days — but you should call ESD first to understand the specific reason before filing an appeal, since many denials are resolved by phone without a formal hearing.