People who are laid off or lose their jobs can avoid long waits on the phone by applying for unemployment-insurance benefits online, according to the Washington Employment Security Department.

There were almost 98,000 calls made to the unemployment-claims telecenter in November. That number is projected to increase through mid-January, when seasonal unemployment typically reaches its peak.

"This is our busiest time of year, and people sometimes have to wait on hold for quite awhile to speak to an attendant," said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee. "With the online application, they can skip the wait and apply any time they want, day or night."

The online application is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at www.go2ui.com. It also is available in Spanish at www.wa.gov/esd/ui/icapp/startsp.htm.

The online application process is not available for people who worked in more than one state or were disabled due to injury. People who do not have computers can use the resource rooms at their local WorkSource office or may apply by phone at 800-318-6022.

To apply, people need their Social Security number, the names and addresses of all employers for the last two years, their dates of work and the reason they left each job. People who are not U.S. citizens also will need their alien registration number.

To be eligible for unemployment benefits, a worker must lose his job through no fault of his own and must look for work each week. Benefits are fully funded by employers through unemployment-insurance taxes.