Understanding Your eServices Account

The Employment Security Department, as with nearly all state agencies, requires multi-factor authentication to log into their website. The ESD even provides a video walk-through of multi-factor authentication set up.

This ensures that the person logging into the account is the right person and that no one else can access your claim. Nearly all financial institutions use this method too, as it is the safest and easiest option to protect accounts.

After logging into the online eServices account system, you are immediately prompted to set up, or use your chosen Multi-Factor Authentication method. The options are to receive a temporary one-time code via email, via text, or enter a code from the Google Authenticator app or desktop extension. We highly recommend setting up all three, there is no disadvantage.

Significant delays with email being blocked as spam, and changes to your phone numbers, can severely limit access to your unemployment benefits claim.

If you lose your phone or your phone number changes, you will be able to use another method to access your account. If only one method is set up, like an email address tied to an old employer or internet provider, this can delay access to your account. While you can still file a weekly claim by phone through the general customer service number (800-318-6022), you will have to call the SecureAccess Washington Help Desk during their available hours 855-682-0785 (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to unlock your online account.

If you check email regularly, you may want to set your correspondence preferences to electronic

The Employment Security Department allows you to receive your communications as snail mail or email. While some people like to get an official letter, there are some significant disadvantages.

Your correspondence preferences are typically selected by you during your initial application for unemployment benefits, when your mailing address is supplied. Subsequent unemployment claims use the same correspondence preferences and mailing address.

All determinations, message responses, and requests for information (called Fact-findings) are mailed. Requests for information have a response deadline of ten business days. One problem that can occur is that you move, or are not available to collect mail, and you miss a request for information that causes ineligibility and a subsequent overpayment.

The advantage of having your correspondence preferences set to electronic (email) is that you get a generic notification via email from the Employment Security Department when any correspondence occurs on your claim, asking you to log in to view the document. If you see this notice and act promptly, you will have more time to respond or review the document.

How do you change your correspondence preferences with the Employment Security Department?

1. Log into your Employment Security Department online eServices account, https://secure.esd.wa.gov/
2. Complete your chosen Mult-Factor Authentication Method
3. Click on the Menu icon in the upper left-hand corner of the web page, ≡
4. Click on “Settings”
5. Click on “Update Correspondence Preferences”
6. Select “Electronic”

You can still access and print notices and letters sent to you by the Employment Security Department by clicking on the tab ‘Notices/Letters”, click “View All”, and then click on each notice or letter to download it.

If you have been denied benefits because the ESD claims you failed to respond to a notice, contact WEBA. We can help. Click here to schedule a free consultation.