State Unemployment Benefits in Washington
The Washington Employment Security Department administers unemployment compensation. A claimant must personally certify each weekly claim, so weekly filing ends at death. State rule makes one exception for a deceased claimant: an estate executor or administrator may file a claim for the last completed calendar week before the claimant died.
Administering agency
Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) — Unemployment Claims Center
Authority
WAC 192-110-150
State Unemployment Benefits in Washington: key facts
- Administering agency
- Employment Security Department (ESD), Unemployment Claims Center.
- Claimant portal
- esd.wa.gov eServices (online claim and weekly filing).
- Claims Center phone
- 800-318-6022 (dial 711 for Washington Relay if you have a hearing or speech disability).
- Who may claim the final payment
- An estate executor or administrator may file a claim for the last completed calendar week prior to the claimant's death (WAC 192-110-150). This is the sole exception to the rule that a claimant must personally certify each weekly claim.
- Power of attorney is not enough
- An agent holding power of attorney may not file weekly claims, testify in the claimant's place, or otherwise act where a personal certification is required. A power of attorney also ends at death — only a court-appointed executor or administrator may file the final week's claim.
- Reporting a death
- Contact the ESD Unemployment Claims Center at 800-318-6022. ESD does not publish a deceased-claimant reporting form; the Claims Center states what it needs and what documents to submit with a final-week claim.
Governing law: WAC 192-110-150
Steps to take when someone dies
- Contact the ESD Unemployment Claims Center at 800-318-6022 to report the claimant's death.
- If you are the court-appointed executor or administrator, ask ESD to file a claim for the last completed calendar week before the death, which WAC 192-110-150 allows you to certify.
- Ask the Claims Center what documents to submit; have your Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration and the death certificate ready.
Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) — Unemployment Claims Center
Phone: 800-318-6022
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
The Washington Employment Security Department administers unemployment compensation through its Unemployment Claims Center (800-318-6022) and eServices portal at esd.wa.gov.
Weekly benefits require the claimant's own certification, so weekly filing ends at death. State rule carves out one exception: an estate executor or administrator may file a claim for the last completed calendar week before the claimant died. Contact the ESD Claims Center at 800-318-6022 to report the death and ask about that final week.
Yes. Under WAC 192-110-150, an estate executor or administrator may file a claim for the last completed calendar week prior to the claimant's death. General power of attorney is not sufficient — only a court-appointed executor or administrator may certify that final week's claim. Contact the ESD Claims Center at 800-318-6022 for the required documentation.
Sources
Data sourced from State Unemployment Benefits in Washington primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) — Unemployment Claims Center
Authority
WAC 192-110-150