More self-service, tighter security added to Washington unemployment benefits website

More security and new self-service options have been added to Washington state’s online services for unemployment claimants and employers.

The Employment Security Department’s new “eservices” website will debut Tuesday. The department will transition to the new computer system over the holiday weekend. Online access, phone services and direct deposit enrollment will be unavailable starting Friday at 2 p.m.

State offices are closed Monday for New Year’s, and the eservices website will be up Tuesday morning, the agency said.

Claimants will need to call the Unemployment Claims Center at (800) 318-6022 to reset their PINs to use the automated phone services once the new system goes live.

The self-service functions will allow users to apply for benefits, submit weekly claims, check the status of payments, update contact information, manage direct deposits and income tax withholding, check overpayment balances, apply for training benefits and more.

Unemployment benefits also will be available via debit card for those wishing to eliminate paper checks.

The new system comes on the heels of WorkSourceWA.com, launched last summer, and a new ESD.wa.gov site launched in 2015.

ESD has user guides and videos to help claimants sign in to the secure system, apply for benefits online and submit weekly claims online. People can find these resources on the Unemployment Benefits pages as well as in our video library starting Tuesday morning.

ESD’s Unemployment Claims Center has also added a new customer service team to help if people have trouble signing into the new system. People who need help signing in can call (855) 682-0785.