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• Distressed areas list

  Distressed areas list Distressed areas are counties where the three-year unemployment rate is at least 20 percent higher than the statewide average. For more information about distressed areas, see Chapter 43.168.020 of the Revised Code of Washington, which took effect in 2005. The 2023 list of distressed areas (Washington state counties) is compiled by averaging the employment and unemployment numbers for the prior three years. We create the distressed areas list...

• WARN requirements

  WARN reporting requirements The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires companies planning a mass layoff to notify workers 60 days before the closure. WARN compliance information U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) provides compliance guidelines for layoff notification requirements.  Use USDOL's compliance assistance page for more information. Use a USDOL WARN advisor wizard to determine if notification is required. How to report a layoffCompanies...

• Basic Eligibility Requirements

  Basic eligibility requirements Unemployment benefits partially replace your regular earnings and help you meet expenses while you look for another job. It is not based on financial need. Did not work in Washington state You cannot apply for unemployment benefits in Washington or file weekly claims here if you did not work in this state during the past 18 months. The only exceptions are if you were in the...

• Educational employees

  Unemployment Insurance for Educational Employees Under federal law, educational employees are not eligible for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits during traditional break periods in situations where they have “reasonable assurance” that they will continue working after the break. However, if they do not have “reasonable assurance” that they will continue working after the break, then – depending on the situation – they may be eligible to use those wages for their UI...

• Governor lowers 2021-2025 tax rates

  Governor lowers 2021-2025 tax rates   On Feb. 8, 2021, Gov. Inslee signed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5061. This bill provides unemployment tax relief for Washington businesses, enhances unemployment support for Washington workers and more. These measures will enhance the state’s ability to respond to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Resources: Tax rate recalculation insert sent to employers in...

• Moving in or out of Washington state

  What to do if you’ve worked in or are moving to another state Where should you file your claim? If you have not worked in Washington during the last 18 months you cannot apply for unemployment benefits in Washington or file weekly claims in Washington state. You must file your claim with one of the state(s) where you worked in the last 18 months. Contact each state where you worked to find out your claim options for those states.The only exceptions are if you were in the military...

• Veteran services

  Veteran services You may qualify for special services if you served in the military Here in Washington state, WorkSource helps thousands of military veterans - including disabled veterans - find jobs each year. As a veteran, you can get priority access to WorkSource services. This includes priority referrals to jobs that are listed with WorkSource, as well as other employment services. WorkSource centers offer veterans and their spouses: Job listings, job referrals and hiring events....

• Farmworker services

  Farmworker services Employment Security estimates that average annual employment for farmworkers in Washington state (2016) was 97,068.   Additional services are available through WorkSource's Washington Farmworker Services.  The department is committed to working with Washington’s agricultural employers and farm workers by managing the agricultural service program. Through this program, specialized staff are located in offices that serve a 21-county region to help...

• Equity Assessment - Office of Equity survey

  Equity Assessment - Office of Equity survey  The Employment Security Department is helping Washington’s new Office of Equity gather public input. The state Office of Equity seeks “collective wisdom for co-creating a five-year equity strategic plan that helps Washington to bridge opportunity gaps and reduce disparities so everyone in WA flourishes and achieves their full potential and there is equity and justice for all.” We hope you will add your voice by responding to...

• Shared Work

  Shared Work Description In February of 2020, Governor Inslee proclaimed a State of Emergency in Washington in response to COVID-19. The Department filed a series of emergency rules to support the state’s emergency response, one of which expanded access to the Shared Work program. There are two spots in WAC Chapter 192-250 where employers who have been registered in Washington for six months or less are excluded from participating in the Shared Work program: the entirety of WAC 192...