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.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Unemployment

Washington

esd.wa.gov/get-financial-help/unemployment-benefits→

Administering agency

Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) — Unemployment Claims Center

Phone800-318-6022

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

WAC 192-110-150

Verified Jul 2026

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

When someone dies

Steps after a death in Washington

3-step process for Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) — Unemployment Claims Center.

View details →

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

Data sourced from State Unemployment Benefits in Washington primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.

Unemployment

Washington

esd.wa.gov/get-financial-help/unemployment-benefits→

Administering agency

Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) — Unemployment Claims Center

Phone800-318-6022

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

WAC 192-110-150

Verified Jul 2026

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