WorkSource interview still not scheduled after 5 months on ESD unemployment - is this normal?

You should definitely contact them. WorkSource is supposed to schedule an appointment with you within the first few weeks of your claim. I'm surprised ESD hasn't flagged this in your weekly claims. When I was on unemployment last year, I had my WorkSource appointment scheduled by week 3. They review your job search activities, help with your resume, and connect you with resources. It's a mandatory part of receiving benefits.

same thing happened to me lol. went like 4 months before i realized i was supposed to contact them myself. just call your local office and schedule the appointment. they were cool about it when i explained

There's a bit of confusion here that I want to clear up. WorkSource appointments are technically required, but the system for scheduling them has changed post-COVID. Some people are now selected for random audits rather than everyone getting automatic appointments. Here's what you should do: 1. Call your local WorkSource office directly 2. Explain you've been on UI for 5 months and haven't had an appointment 3. Ask if you need to schedule one or if you're on a different track Keep all your job search documentation regardless - that's the most important thing. They can request to review that at any time, even months later.

i think it varies by county too. my brother in king county had his worksource thing right away but i'm in pierce county and nobody contacted me for almost 3 months. i finally went in person to the office and they said i should have called sooner. super annoying when they dont tell you these things!!

Having worked with both ESD and WorkSource programs, I can provide some clarity here: As of 2025, WorkSource appointments are required for UI recipients, but the timing varies based on several factors including: - Your occupation and industry - Local unemployment rates - Whether you've used UI benefits before - Random selection protocols Some claimants are scheduled early (weeks 1-4), while others might not be contacted until month 3 or 4. However, at 5 months, you should definitely reach out. The good news is that as long as you've been completing your weekly job search activities correctly, you're likely fine. WorkSource appointments are about providing resources to help your job search, not just checking compliance. Contact your local WorkSource office directly to schedule an appointment. Bring your job search log with you to demonstrate your ongoing compliance.

Try calling ESD directly to check on this. When I was filing last year, I spent WEEKS trying to get ahold of someone. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an ESD agent in under 30 minutes instead of calling for days on end. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent I spoke with explained that my WorkSource appointment had actually been scheduled but the notification went to my spam folder! They were able to reschedule me right away.

dont stress too much. if theyre not contacting u its probably fine. just keep doing ur job search stuff every week

When you do contact WorkSource, ask them about their specialized job search workshops too. Those count as job search activities for your weekly claims, and some of them are actually really helpful. I did their resume review workshop and interview skills training, and I think they helped me land my current job. Don't just think of WorkSource as a hurdle to clear for your unemployment - they actually have good resources.