State warns unemployed about sites that file claims

Josielu Tolentino of Pasco lost her job Wednesday and filed a claim for unemployment benefits the next day.

But in the process, she inadvertently paid a private company $9.95 for a service she could have obtained for free on the Washington State Employment Security Department Web site.

Tolentino, 44, later realized she should have gone to go2worksource.com, but instead went to 2worksource.com.

"It's so easy to miss it," said the former Kennewick General Hospital operating-room surgical technician.

Tolentino said she thought she was paying the money to the government for processing her claim. But after she talked with her father, she realized she had ended up on the wrong Web site.

The company sent her an e-mail receipt and filed her claim, said Tolentino, who informed state officials Thursday about what had happened.

Officials don't know if the private operation is illegal, said Mark Varadian, communications manager for the state Employment Security Department. He said the business technically can provide advice and guide claim seekers.

"We have notified the state Attorney General's Office to investigate," he said.

Varadian said it's a shame that someone is trying to take money from unemployed workers for a service the state provides for free. Similar schemes come up periodically, he said.

While the sites may be legal, they can be confusing, inaccurate and unnecessary. And there's no way for the Employment Security Department to determine if a claim has been filed by a nongovernment Web site unless the claimant calls the state to check.

People shouldn't be paying to get their unemployment benefits, said Varadian, who noted the number of benefit seekers has almost doubled from last year.

The current statewide four-week moving average for number of initial claims filed now is 47 percent higher than last year at this time. And the current average for continued claims is 71 percent higher than last year.

Unemployed workers can go to www.esd.wa.govto find more information about their benefits and to file claims. They also can call 800-318-6022.