How to register with WorkSourceWA for Washington ESD unemployment benefits
I just filed my unemployment claim with Washington ESD and they're telling me I need to register with WorkSourceWA but I'm completely lost on how to do this. The website is confusing and I can't figure out where to start. Is this required for all unemployment claims? What happens if I don't register? I'm worried about messing up my benefits.
66 comments


Natalie Wang
Yes, you definitely need to register with WorkSourceWA if you're collecting unemployment benefits. Go to worksourcewa.com and create an account. You'll need to complete your profile and upload a resume. It's required for job search compliance.
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Michael Adams
•Thank you! Do I need to register immediately or do I have time to figure this out?
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Natalie Wang
•You should register as soon as possible. Washington ESD expects you to be actively looking for work and this is part of proving that.
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Noah Torres
I struggled with this too when I first filed. The WorkSourceWA registration is mandatory for most unemployment claims. Here's what you need to do: 1) Go to worksourcewa.com 2) Click 'Register' 3) Fill out your personal info 4) Upload your resume 5) Complete the skills assessment. The whole process takes about 30-45 minutes.
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Samantha Hall
•This is super helpful! I was dreading having to figure this out on my own.
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Ryan Young
•Do you have to keep using WorkSourceWA after you register or is it just a one-time thing?
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Noah Torres
•You need to keep using it to log your job search activities. Washington ESD checks this during audits.
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Sophia Clark
I had issues getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions about the WorkSourceWA requirement. Ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually reach an agent who explained everything. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made the whole process way less stressful.
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Michael Adams
•Never heard of Claimyr before. Does it actually work for reaching Washington ESD?
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Sophia Clark
•Yeah, it connects you with real Washington ESD agents. Much better than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.
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Katherine Harris
•I'm skeptical of these services but if it actually works...
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Ryan Young
WorkSourceWA registration is pretty straightforward once you get started. Make sure you have your work history ready - they ask for detailed employment info going back several years. Also upload a current resume even if it's not perfect.
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Michael Adams
•How detailed does the work history need to be? Like exact dates and addresses?
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Ryan Young
•Yes, they want specific dates, company names, addresses, and job duties. It's used to match you with job opportunities.
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Madison Allen
ugh this whole system is so confusing!! why do they make everything so complicated when people are already stressed about being unemployed?? just want my benefits!
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Natalie Wang
•I know it's frustrating but it's really not that bad once you get through it. The WorkSourceWA registration is actually helpful for finding jobs.
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Madison Allen
•i guess but it feels like jumping through hoops for no reason
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Noah Torres
One thing to note - if you're on standby status (like temporary layoff expecting to return to work), you might not need to register with WorkSourceWA. But most regular unemployment claims require it. Check your claim determination letter for specific requirements.
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Joshua Wood
•Good point! I was on standby and didn't have to do the WorkSourceWA thing.
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Michael Adams
•How do I know if I'm on standby status? My employer said the layoff might be temporary but nothing's guaranteed.
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Noah Torres
•If you're not sure, register anyway. It's better to be safe than risk your benefits being stopped.
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Samantha Hall
I registered with WorkSourceWA last month and it wasn't as bad as I expected. The hardest part was uploading my resume - had to convert it to PDF first. Make sure your file isn't too big or it won't upload.
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Justin Evans
•What's the file size limit? My resume is pretty long with all my job history.
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Samantha Hall
•I think it's 2MB max. You might need to trim it down or compress the PDF.
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Katherine Harris
The WorkSourceWA system crashes a lot during peak hours. Try registering early morning or late evening when fewer people are online. Saved me a lot of frustration.
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Michael Adams
•Thanks for the tip! I'll try tonight after dinner.
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Emily Parker
•Yeah the site is definitely overloaded during business hours. Learned that the hard way.
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Ezra Collins
Quick question - do they send you a confirmation email after you register with WorkSourceWA? I completed everything but never got an email and I'm worried it didn't go through.
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Noah Torres
•You should get a confirmation email. Check your spam folder. If you can log back into your WorkSourceWA account, that means it worked.
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Ezra Collins
•Found it in spam! Thanks for the heads up.
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Sophia Clark
For anyone still having trouble reaching Washington ESD about WorkSourceWA requirements, I had good luck with Claimyr again yesterday. They helped me understand which job search activities count toward my weekly requirements. Worth checking out if you're stuck.
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Victoria Scott
•How much does Claimyr cost? Is it worth it?
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Sophia Clark
•It was worth it for me to get clear answers instead of guessing. Check their website for current info.
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Benjamin Johnson
I've been using WorkSourceWA for job searching even before I got laid off. It's actually not terrible - they have decent job listings and the skills assessments can help you figure out what you're qualified for. The integration with unemployment is just a bonus.
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Michael Adams
•That's encouraging! Maybe this will actually help me find a new job faster.
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Benjamin Johnson
•Definitely! I got a couple interviews through listings I found on there.
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Zara Perez
Make sure you keep track of your WorkSourceWA username and password! I forgot mine and had to go through the whole password reset process which was a pain. Write it down somewhere safe.
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Daniel Rogers
•Good advice. I use a password manager for all this stuff now.
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Zara Perez
•Smart! I should probably do that too.
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Aaliyah Reed
Does anyone know if you can register with WorkSourceWA on your phone or does it have to be on a computer? I don't have a laptop right now.
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Noah Torres
•You can do it on your phone but it's easier on a computer, especially for uploading your resume. Libraries have free computer access if you need it.
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Aaliyah Reed
•Thanks! I'll try the library.
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Ella Russell
I was so confused about the job search requirements until I talked to someone at Washington ESD. You need to do 3 job search activities per week and at least one has to be through WorkSourceWA. Registration is just the first step.
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Michael Adams
•Wait, so I have to actively apply for jobs through WorkSourceWA every week? I thought registration was enough.
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Ella Russell
•Yeah, you need to keep using it. But you can also count other job search activities like networking, contacting employers directly, etc.
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Mohammed Khan
•This is exactly why I used Claimyr to talk to an agent. Got all the details straight from Washington ESD.
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Gavin King
Just finished my WorkSourceWA registration! Thanks everyone for the help. The process was actually pretty smooth once I got started. Now I need to figure out this weekly job search logging thing...
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Noah Torres
•Congrats! The job search logging is in the same system. You'll get the hang of it.
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Michael Adams
•Glad to hear it went well! I'm going to tackle mine this weekend.
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Nathan Kim
One more tip - when you register with WorkSourceWA, make sure your contact information matches exactly what you have on file with Washington ESD. Any discrepancies can cause delays or issues with your benefits.
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Eleanor Foster
•This is important! I had a different phone number and it caused problems.
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Michael Adams
•Good to know. I'll double-check everything before I submit.
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Lucas Turner
The skills assessment part of WorkSourceWA registration is optional but I'd recommend doing it. It helps match you with better job opportunities and shows you're serious about finding work if Washington ESD ever audits your claim.
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Kai Rivera
•How long does the skills assessment take?
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Lucas Turner
•Maybe 15-20 minutes depending on how many skills you have. It's pretty straightforward.
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Anna Stewart
I'm still confused about something - do I need to register with WorkSourceWA before I file my first weekly claim or can I do it after? I don't want to mess up my benefits timing.
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Noah Torres
•You should register as soon as possible after filing your initial claim. Don't wait until your first weekly claim is due. The sooner the better.
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Anna Stewart
•Thanks! I'll do it today then.
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Layla Sanders
For what it's worth, I found the WorkSourceWA registration pretty user-friendly compared to other government websites. The instructions are clear and it walks you through each step. Don't overthink it!
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Michael Adams
•That's reassuring! I've been putting it off because I expected it to be complicated.
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Layla Sanders
•Nah, you'll be fine. Just set aside an hour and work through it step by step.
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Morgan Washington
Last thing - make sure you print or screenshot your WorkSourceWA registration confirmation page. Keep it with your other unemployment paperwork just in case you need to prove you registered.
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Kaylee Cook
•Great advice! I keep a folder with all my unemployment documents.
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Michael Adams
•Thanks everyone! This thread has been super helpful. I feel much more confident about tackling the registration now.
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Amina Diallo
Just wanted to add that if you run into technical issues during WorkSourceWA registration (like the site timing out or forms not saving), don't panic! Clear your browser cache and try again in a different browser. I had to switch from Chrome to Firefox to get mine to work properly. Also, make sure you're using a strong internet connection - I learned that the hard way when my registration got stuck halfway through on slow wifi.
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PaulineW
•Thanks for the browser tip! I was getting frustrated when the page kept freezing on me. Will try Firefox if I run into issues again. The wifi connection thing is so true - I lost my progress twice before I realized my connection was spotty.
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