How do I get my 4 digit pin for Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

You should have received your PIN in the mail when your claim was first processed. Check any letters from Washington ESD - it's usually on the determination letter or a separate PIN notice. If you can't find it, you'll need to request a new one.

ugh same thing happened to me last month! i spent hours trying to figure this out. the pin reset thing online didn't work for me either

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD by phone, there's actually a service called Claimyr that can help you reach them faster. I found out about it when I was stuck in a similar situation. They have a system that calls for you and connects you when an agent picks up. Check out claimyr.com - they even have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

The PIN system is so frustrating! I had the same issue and it turns out the PIN is different from your SAW password. Make sure you're not confusing the two - your PIN is specifically for telephone claims, not the online portal.

Check your spam folder too! Washington ESD emails sometimes end up there and they might have sent PIN instructions via email.

Why is everything with unemployment so complicated?? They make it impossible to get help when you need it most. This whole system needs to be overhauled.

Update: I found the PIN in an old letter that was forwarded from my previous address. Thanks everyone for the help! For anyone else with this problem - definitely check all your mail from Washington ESD carefully.

If anyone else is still having trouble getting through to Washington ESD about PIN issues, I'd recommend trying Claimyr. I was skeptical at first but it really does work. Much better than spending your whole day redialing.

Pro tip: if you do have to call Washington ESD, try calling right when they open at 8am or during lunch break around 12-1pm. Those times seem to have shorter wait times.

Make sure you have all your information ready when you do get through - SSN, claim confirmation number, address, etc. They'll ask for verification before helping with PIN issues.

i lost my pin too but never got any mail about it. been filing online so i guess it doesn't matter?

Washington ESD really needs to make this clearer on their website. So many people get confused about the difference between account passwords and PINs.

Just to clarify for anyone reading this later - your 4-digit PIN is specifically for the Washington ESD automated phone system. You can file weekly claims either online through your SAW account OR by calling and using your PIN. Most people find online easier.

Has anyone tried the live chat on the Washington ESD website for PIN help? Wondering if that's faster than calling.

For future reference, when you do get your PIN, write it down and keep it with your important documents. Don't rely on remembering it or storing it only digitally.

The whole PIN thing seems outdated honestly. Why do we still need separate numbers for phone access when everything else is moving to unified login systems?

thank god i found this thread! i was about to panic thinking i couldn't file my claim this week

One more option if you're really stuck - some WorkSource offices can help with basic account issues. Not all locations, but worth calling your local office to ask.

This thread has been super helpful for understanding the PIN system. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!

Just want to add that if you're still having trouble and need to call Washington ESD, don't give up after the first try. The phone lines are definitely overloaded, but persistence pays off. I had to call three different times over two days before I finally got through to someone who could help reset my PIN. Also, make sure you call from the phone number associated with your claim - they use that for verification purposes.

Another tip that helped me - if you're getting frustrated trying to reach Washington ESD and need your PIN reset urgently, you can also try filing your weekly claim online instead of by phone. You don't need the 4-digit PIN for online filing, just your SAW account login. The PIN is only required if you want to use the automated phone system. I was stressing about my PIN for nothing when I could just keep filing online like usual!

I went through the exact same thing a few months ago! The stress of potentially missing your filing deadline makes everything feel more urgent than it needs to be. What really helped me was taking a step back and realizing that the 4-digit PIN is completely separate from your online account access. If you can log into your SAW account online, you can file your weekly claim there without needing the PIN at all. The PIN is only for the phone system, which most people don't even use anymore since the website is usually more convenient. Save yourself the headache of trying to get through on the phone lines right now - just stick with online filing and you'll be fine!