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  5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Questions are grouped by category. Click on any of the questions below to open the accordion box with information to answer that question.

Filing for Unemployment FAQs

You must complete three steps to get unemployment benefits:

  1. Create a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account in order to access ESD’s eServices.
  2. Apply for unemployment benefits.
  3. Submit weekly claims each week you want to receive a payment. You submit a claim each week after you have a furlough day.

If you can not log in for any reason (trouble with your SAW account, it’s still locked, SSN doesn’t match DOB, etc.) – you should email the SAW help desk at ESDGPSAWIssues@esd.wa.gov. This team can either resolve the issue or will forward to the correct department within ESD for resolution.

ESD may be able to consider your hours worked in another state.

There's an option early in the application process where you will be asked if you have worked for an employer in another state. If you click Yes, you'll be prompted to input information regarding that employer. ESD will then contact the other state and "bring over" your hours to try and meet the 680 hour threshold. This may take some time (e.g. California is telling other states to give them at least 30 days), but ESD will then determine eligibility as of your application date.

If you find that you get an error message saying that your Social Security number already is associated with another account, you might indeed be a victim of fraud. ESD is taking care of this for you.

Please report this to your HR team to ensure ESD has a copy of your Seattle Colleges email address to help expedite unlocking your account.

You should also read the answer to What should I do if I’m a victim of identity theft? in the Questions and answers section of this ESD page about fraud and follow the steps outlined there.

Email the following department withing ESD and include your SAW username and contact information and they will either work to correct the issue or will forward the issue to the appropriate department for resolution: ESDGPSAWIssues@esd.wa.gov.
 

Your campus HR can help you with your issues or concerns. If they cannot, they can submit a correction on your behalf to ESD.