The Washington Employment Security Department offers workers the possibility of receiving their unemployment benefits by direct deposit. This means your weekly benefits will transfer directly to the bank account you choose. Direct deposit payments provide several benefits. For instance, direct deposit payments usually arrive earlier, you avoid check-cashing fees and don’t have to wait in long lines or spend money on gas or public transportation to get to a bank. This is particularly helpful for people with mobility and transportation issues.  It also simplifies matters when you move to another address because your payments will continue being deposited in your bank account without having to report your change of address to the Washington unemployment office.

However, direct deposit transfers are not an option for everyone. For starters, you need a bank account which not all unemployed workers have. It is also possible that workers who previously applied for a direct deposit payment option change their mind and want to return to traditional check payments. This articles provides a simple guide to help you take control of the payment method of your benefits, whether you prefer direct deposit or to receive checks by mail.

How to Apply for Direct Deposit Payments?

The only way to apply for a direct deposit payment option is online. Any written requests will be returned to the sender. Click here to start off your online application form for direct deposit payments. To complete the application you will need the following information:

1) Your Social Security Number

2) Your bank account’s routing number, account number and type (savings or checking). You can get all this information from your check book.  The first 9 numbers at the bottom of your checks are your bank’s routing number. The next 10 numbers are your bank account number. Notice that if you plan to use a savings account you will need to confirm your routing number with your bank as saving accounts often have internal codes included in the routing number that appears on the check that may cause problems with the direct deposit.

3) Your full name as it appears in the documents you filed with your bank or credit union.

How to Cancel Direct Deposit Payments?

Again, the only way to do this is online. Click here to start the process of cancelling your direct deposit payment option. Press continue at the bottom of the page. The form will then ask you for your Social Security Number and a security question to confirm your identity. Press on ‘I Agree’ and type in your PIN. Select ‘Continue’. Now you have the option of cancelling your direct deposit. Click on the option and confirm your selection.

So the Washington Employment Security Department has denied your claim for unemployment benefits, what can you do now? The law provides you with the right to appeal this decision to an impartial and fair third party, the Office of Administrative Hearings.

The key to success is to provide accurate and compelling evidence that supports your claim. The Office of Administrative Hearings offers informal hearings, so you do not need to have a lawyer. However, you have the right to bring a lawyer if you want to. You will have the opportunity to present your evidence at a hearing, which is generally held over the phone. Beforehand, you will need to present any documents or recordings you wish the Administrative Law Judge to see.

The first thing you must do is determine the reason why your unemployment benefits claim was denied, so you can collect evidence that proves the claim is valid. In most cases the reason a benefits claim reaches Office of Administrative Hearings is a disagreement on the reason for the termination of an employment contract. For instance, an employer may claim a worker was sacked due to misconduct or wanton disregard, while the employee may feel the termination was unfair. The appeals hearing gives both parties the chance to support their claims.

Let’s assume your ex-employer claims you were sacked for misconduct. What evidence can you bring to an appeal hearing? An Administrative Law Judge will accept three main types of evidence: firsthand testimony, documents and recordings.

Firsthand Testimony

This is often the most compelling type of evidence. It includes the testimony under oath of somebody that heard or saw the events in question as they occurred. For instance, if your employer told you he was firing you because there was not enough work and somebody else heard that, you and the other witness can provide compelling eyewitness testimony. The testimony of witnesses who attend the hearing, and can therefore be cross-examined by the other party, hold much more weight than witnesses that simply offer a written or recorded statement. Written or recorded statements are considered by the Administrative Law Judges as hearsay, which is a weak type of evidence judges don’t give much credibility. Do all you can to arrange for your witnesses to attend a hearing. For instance, give them the date and time of the hearing as soon as possible so they have plenty of time to fit it in their schedule.

Documents and Recordings

Documents, audio and video recordings that support your case, also called exhibits, may include correspondence, time cards, medical reports, maps or charts that support your case. Remember you must provide copies of any document or recordings to the Administrative Law Judge and the other party before the hearing. Any documents you do not share with the other party and the judge before the hearing will not be considered by the judge regardless of how compelling it is.

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