SEATTLE -- What should you do if you become unemployed?

Millie Douglass joined the crowds at the Renton Worksource office, where she looked for restaurant work.

"Maybe side bartending, and then going up the food line and just becoming a chef too, so that'd be great," Douglass said.

HOW TO FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS File your initial unemployment claim online at esd.wa.gov. Most individuals with employment only in Washington within the past two years should be able to use this method. When calling the hotline (800-318-6022), use a landline rather than a cell phone because there will usually be a wait time that could use up cell-phone minutes. And don't hang up and redial, because it puts the caller back at the end of the line.

She learned she may not qualify for unemployment benefits because of her previous restaurant job. It turns out she may not have worked enough hours.

"The job that I did have was seasonal, and I was hoping that it would be longer 'cause it was fun," she said.

At the Employment Security Department call center in South Seattle, someone will take Douglass' call and determine whether she can get any money.

"Folks who might not be covered might include corporate officers, people who work straight commission, seasonal employment, possibly," said Mark Varadian of the Employment Security Department.

While seasonal workers like Douglass and many self-employed people are not eligible, Varadian said the vast majority of workers in our state are eligible for unemployment benefits.

He said to apply by phone, make sure you have your personal information ready, such as tax returns and previous income statements.

Be able to list the names and numbers of employers going back two years.

You must also state why your job ended. If you were fired for cause, you might not be eligible.

If your application is approved, payments should begin within three weeks.

Starting Saturday, the call centers will be taking calls on Saturday, but to avoid those long waits on the phone, state officials say to file your initial unemployment claim online at esd.wa.gov.

Ironically, because of the high jobless rate, the state unemployment office has become a good source for jobs.

The number of people hired at the call centers has nearly doubled since last summer and more are now in training.