Filing an Unemployment Claim

• You can file a Washington state unemployment insurance claim either by telephone or online. Washington WorkSource offices have telephones and online computer access available if you need them.
  
  Initial eligibility requires 680 hours of employment in your "base year" for a Washington state business covered by the state's unemployment insurance program. You also must be physically able and available for work each day and actively seeking employment, defined as three "job contacts" per week.
  
  To file, you will need your Social Security number; names, addresses and contact information for all employers in the past year; dates of your previous employment; estimated gross monthly pay from your employers; the name and local number of your union if you belong to one; your Form SF-8 and SF-50 if you were a federal employee; a copy of your DD-214 form if you were in the military; and your proof of citizenship or Alien Registration Number.
  
  

Your Reason for Unemployment

• You must state the reason you became unemployed, such as lack of work or business closure. If you were fired, suspended or put on a leave of absence, then the department will seek statements about what happened from both you and your former employer. Both sides can respond to each other's version of events regarding the termination. If you quit because the job had become intolerable, you must prove it was due to a change in job duties, working conditions, shifts or something similar.
  
  

The Department's Written Decision

• Once statements are received from both sides, an unemployment department caseworker will review them and issue a written decision about your eligibility. For your claim to be approved, you must have been fired for an inability to perform the job duties for which you were hired. If you were fired for insubordination, theft, unexcused absence or another violation of company rules or policies, then it usually is determined you were fired "for cause" and your claim will be denied. If your claim is approved, the decision will include your weekly benefit amount and total benefit amount (usually covering 26 weeks).
  
  

Appealing the Decision

• If you or your former employer disagree with the department's decision, either side can file a written appeal. It can be faxed or mailed. Besides denial of benefits due to termination "for cause," appeals can address reduced benefits, disallowed training benefits or overpayment. The appeal deadline is 30 days after your decision is mailed.
  
  Your appeal must include your name, Social Security number, reason you were denied, decision date, why you disagree, any records you deem relevant, names of witnesses you would like at the hearing and your signature.
  
  

How the Appeal Process Works

• Your appeal is heard by an administrative law judge with the Office of Administrative Hearings, which is separate from Employment Security. Most hearings are by telephone. You will testify and can question witnesses and present evidence. Your work availability and job search might be examined, so bring your job search logs. Continue filing unemployment claims during the appeal process. If your appeal is successful, you will receive back payments. If your appeal fails, you must repay any benefits. If you disagree with the judge's decision, you can appeal to the Commissioner of the Employment Security Department.