Starting Monday, Washington’s unemployment-claims phone line will be open one hour earlier each day to keep up with demand during its busiest season, according to the state Employment Security Department.
Intake agents will man the phone lines from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to assist unemployed workers with benefit claims. The extended schedule will be available through Jan. 31, to provide extra support over a period when industries such as construction and agriculture are off season.
Claimants also can cut down on wait times by applying for benefits and submitting weekly claims online, a service available 24 hours a day at http://www.esd.wa.gov.
