Does Washington ESD unemployment count as income for renting an apartment?

Thanks! Where do I get that determination letter? Is it something I can download from my SecureAccess Washington account?

You can access it through your Washington ESD online account or call them to request a copy. It's the official document that shows your approved benefit amount.

Good point about it being temporary. Did you mention if you were actively job searching or had any prospects?

Yeah I showed them my job search log from WorkSourceWA and mentioned a few interviews I had lined up. That seemed to help.

Interesting, I'll check that out if I can't get through myself. The phone lines are always busy when I try calling.

Never heard of that service before. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legit, I used it last month when I needed to resolve an adjudication issue. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Really? I didn't know that was illegal. One place basically told me they don't accept unemployment income at all.

Document that conversation! Contact the Washington State Human Rights Commission if you face discrimination. Unemployment is legitimate income.

That's good to know, but realistically most people don't want to fight a legal battle just to rent an apartment.

Same problem here with the 3x rule. Maybe we could compile a list of unemployment-friendly landlords?

Try smaller independent landlords rather than big property management companies. They're often more willing to work with unemployment recipients.

Good tip! Should I also include my job search documentation to show I'm actively looking for work?

Definitely, it shows you're serious about getting back to work and won't be on benefits forever.

That's smart thinking. A bigger deposit might help offset their concerns about unemployment being temporary.

Yeah I did the same thing, offered 2 months security instead of 1. Landlord was much more receptive after that.

That's actually brilliant wording. Makes it sound more stable and official.

Exactly, and emphasize that it's guaranteed income from the state government, not like gig work that might vary.

Good point. I do have a few applications out there and one promising lead.

That's what I did too. Showed them my WorkSourceWA activity and mentioned I was expecting to hear back from several employers soon.

I might actually need this. My benefit determination letter is from 6 months ago and landlords want something more recent.

You should be able to get updated benefit statements through your online account without calling.

That makes sense. My deposits show up as 'ESD WA' so that should be clear enough.

Yeah, and having 2-3 months of consistent deposits really helps establish that it's reliable income.

I totally feel you on that. It's like being punished twice - first losing your job, then struggling to find housing.

Hang in there, it gets better once you find the right landlord who understands the situation.

That's encouraging to hear. I was starting to worry I'd never find anything.

Thanks for the hope! I needed to hear that today.

Do you know any specific programs in Washington? That could be really helpful.

Check with your local housing authority and 211 can connect you with rental assistance programs in your area.

Good reminder! I've been so focused on apartment hunting I almost forgot to file last week.

Yes, consistent payment history is crucial for rental applications. Set a reminder every Sunday to file your weekly claim.

Thanks for mentioning it again. I bookmarked their site in case I need it.

might have to try that if i cant get my benefit verification sorted out soon

Thank you everyone for all the advice! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I feel much better prepared now.

Glad we could help! Come back and update us when you find a place.

Yes please update! And good luck with the apartment hunt!

I hadn't thought of that! I'll double-check my contact information in my ESD account.

That's a really good point. Nothing worse than missing out on an apartment because of outdated contact info.

Great idea. I have 10 years of accounting experience so that should help show I'm likely to find something soon.

Exactly! Frame it as a temporary situation between opportunities, not just being on benefits.

Right? So glad I posted this question. Everyone here has been amazing with advice.

That's what this community is for! We all help each other navigate the unemployment system.

That's such a smart approach with the rental package! I never thought about organizing everything into one folder like that. It probably saves so much time and shows you're professional and prepared. Did you find that landlords were more responsive when you presented everything upfront? I'm definitely going to try this method - it sounds way better than scrambling to provide documents one at a time when they ask for them.

That's a really good strategy with the cover letter! I never thought about framing it as "consistent government benefits" - that does sound much more professional than just saying unemployment. The online application route sounds less intimidating too since you don't have to deal with potential bias over the phone right away. Did you find that certain property management companies were more receptive to this approach than others? I'm wondering if there are any specific ones that tend to be more flexible with unemployment income.