What documents count as proof of unemployment for Washington ESD benefits?

You'll want to get your benefit payment history from your SecureAccess Washington account. Log into secure.esd.wa.gov and look for the payment history section. You can print that out as official proof. Most places accept that as verification of your unemployment status.

There's also an official letter you can request from Washington ESD that shows your benefit status. I needed this for my mortgage company last month. You might have to call them though, which is a nightmare.

Your weekly claim confirmations might work too. Every time you file your weekly claim, you should get an email confirmation. Those show you're actively claiming benefits.

i think theres a verification letter option somewhere in the SAW portal but ive never used it. might be worth looking around in there before calling

Actually, let me clarify the best options for proof of unemployment in Washington: 1. Payment history from your SAW account - this is the most common and widely accepted 2. Your initial monetary determination letter (shows your benefit amount) 3. Weekly claim confirmation emails 4. Official verification letter from Washington ESD (if you can get one) For rental assistance, the payment history should definitely work.

UGH why do they make everything so complicated?? I had to jump through hoops to prove I was unemployed when I was literally collecting benefits. The system is broken.

Make sure whatever you print shows your full name and social security number (or at least partial SSN). Some places are picky about having identifying information on the documents.

I work at a property management company and we accept Washington ESD payment history printouts all the time. Just make sure it's recent and shows consistent payments. We also accept the monetary determination letter.

Pro tip: always print extra copies of your unemployment documentation. You'll need it for multiple things - rent assistance, food programs, utility help, etc. Save yourself multiple trips to print.

If you're having trouble accessing your SAW account or getting the documents you need, definitely try that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. I was skeptical at first but it actually got me through to Washington ESD when I needed help with my account access issues.

One thing to watch out for - make sure your documents are current. Some places want proof from the last 30 days, others want last 60 days. Check what timeframe they're asking for.

this whole thread is making me realize i should print out my payment history just to have on hand. never know when you might need proof of benefits

Update for anyone finding this thread later: Washington ESD payment history from your SAW account is definitely your best bet for proof of unemployment. It's official, easy to access, and widely accepted. Keep copies handy!

For anyone else reading this - if you're on standby unemployment or have a weird claim situation, you might need additional documentation. The standard payment history might not show enough detail.

This is why I always keep both digital and physical copies of all my Washington ESD documents. You never know when someone's going to ask for proof of benefits, and it's such a pain to scramble for documents at the last minute.

Just wanted to add that if you're applying for multiple assistance programs, some might want different formats of proof. Keep both your payment history and your monetary determination letter handy - covers most bases.

One more tip for anyone dealing with this - if you're applying for rental assistance through a nonprofit organization, they're usually more flexible with documentation than government programs. I've seen them accept email confirmations or even screenshots from your SAW account when people couldn't print. But definitely start with the official payment history first since that's what most places prefer.

Just to add another perspective - I work as a case manager for rental assistance programs in Washington state. The payment history from your SAW account is definitely the gold standard and what we see most often. One thing I always tell clients is to make sure the document shows the state seal/logo and your full name clearly. Also, if you've had any breaks in your benefits or payment issues, it's helpful to include a brief note explaining any gaps in the payment history. Most programs understand that Washington ESD has had processing delays, so don't worry if there are some irregular dates - just be prepared to explain if asked.