OLYMPIA – The Employment Security Department, as part of a 90-day pilot, is adjusting unemployment benefits call center hours to focus on processing the growing number of claims and get customers paid more quickly.
As noted in Employment Security’s Oct. 16 press release, demand for unemployment claims continues to rise with private-sector layoffs, seasonal workers applying for benefits, the federal government shutdown and claimants staying on unemployment longer.
Beginning this week, unemployment call center hours are:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (normal hours).
- Tuesday and Thursday: 8 a.m. to noon (adjusted hours).
From noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, all customer service representatives will focus on processing claims to get people paid more quickly.
“We’re trying to move the needle and get people paid more quickly with the resources we have,” Employment Security Commissioner Cami Feek said. “We don’t have the budget for overtime or additional hires. We are constantly looking for ways to more efficiently process claims and believe this change will help decrease our growing backlog of outstanding claims.”