Webinar for federal workers to learn about Washington benefits

OLYMPIA—The Employment Security Department, along with state and local partners, continues its webinar series for federal workers who work and live in Washington state. The next webinar is Thursday, May 29, from 10 a.m. to noon. More than 120 participants from 13 different federal agencies attended webinars in March and April. Nearly 50 are already […]

Washington state unemployment rate holds steady in March at 4.4%

OLYMPIA —Washington’s economy decreased by an estimated 5,200 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in March 2025, and the monthly unemployment rate remained at 4.4%. “The unemployment rate stayed steady, and the labor force also maintained relative stability in March. Slowing job growth took a slight turn this month,” said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, chief labor economist at the Employment Security […]

Unemployment in Washington is 4.9% which sounds good until compared to everywhere else

The Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) is reporting that for June the unemployment rate in Washington is 4.9%. That sounds great, until you compare Washington’s performance with the other 49 states where it ranks 7th worst in the nation. South Dakota, which during the pandemic did not implement any significant economic restrictions, has the lowest rate at […]

Snohomish County has one of the state’s lowest unemployment rates

SNOHOMISH COUNTY—Snohomish County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Washington State according to the Washington State Employment Security Department’s monthly report, but Washington State in general still ranks higher than most states in the nation. Snohomish County is currently tied with neighboring King County with a rate of 4.1%. On the opposite end, […]

Suzi LeVine, Commissioner of Employment Security Department, to join the Biden-Harris Administration

By Lynnwood Times Staff OLYMPIA, Wash., January 22, 2021 – Employment Security Department (ESD) Commissioner Suzi LeVine will be leaving at the end of January to take a position with the new Biden-Harris Administration, effective Feb. 1, 2021. Details about her new role will be rolled out on February 1 by the administration. “I wish […]

All unemployment claims increased 10% during the week of Nov. 29 – Dec. 5

OLYMPIA – During the week of November 29 – December 5, there were 24,587 initial regular unemployment claims (up 10.1 percent from the prior week) and 492,533 total claims for all unemployment benefit categories (up 7.1 percent from the prior week) filed by Washingtonians, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).  Initial regular claims applications remain […]

Employment Security Department job opportunities

Find the right job now. Check out state jobs at Employment Security Current openings If any of these opportunities sound like something you’d enjoy, and you want to make a difference in your community, then we encourage you to apply now! UI Specialist – Support Lead: Virtual (UIS5) Internal Only Budget Analyst: Olympia (BA3 In-training) […]

Washington Employment Security Department struggles with transparency

Washington Employment Security Department struggles with transparencyBy Mark Harmsworth | WPC Contributor and Pundit | Republished by Lynnwood Times Recent information exposed by whistleblowers at the State Employment Security Department (ESD) have re-enforced the need to improve transparency in the process and the criteria used to approve unemployment claims. As reported by the Puget Sound Business […]

Arrest made in $650 million ESD unemployment fraud case

By Erin Freeman | Lynnwood Times Staff Washington has been at the forefront of massive fraudulent activity since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, an extensive network of cybercriminals claiming hundreds of millions of dollars in unemployment through the names of tens of thousands in the state alone.  On May 14, Washington’s Employment Security Department […]

National Guard to assist ESD as tens of thousands still await unemployment payments

National Guard to assist ESD as tens of thousands still await unemployment paymentsby Erin Freeman | Lynnwood Times Staff The National Guard has officially joined the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD), until further notice, to help the department work through an accumulation of unemployment claims. The ESD is backlog tens of thousands of claims following […]