Employment Security is here to help eligible workers with unemployment benefits.
Governor Bob Ferguson has issued a statewide emergency proclamation to support those impacted by wildfires. Find full details on the Governor’s website.
Areas covered by the Governor’s proclamation
The proclamation covers these counties:
- Benton.
- Chelan.
- Columbia.
- Douglas.
- Ferry.
- Grant.
- Kittitas.
- Okanogan.
- Spokane.
- Stevens.
- Whitman.
- Yakima.
The proclamation also includes the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Spokane Tribe of Indians.
How the proclamation applies to unemployment
Eligible workers who apply for benefits between Aug. 1, 2026 and the week ending Oct. 3, 2026 will
- Be paid for the first week they file a claim. Typically, a claimant is not paid the first week, also called a waiting week.
- Not have to complete 3 job search activities each week they file a claim.
Basic eligibility requirements apply except for the waiting week and job search requirements.
What you need to do to apply
When you apply for benefits, report that you are not working because of the wildfires. Situations may include:
- You were working or scheduled to begin work but could not because of the disaster or evacuation order.
- You can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or inaccessibility to your work, home or property.
Resources for urgent needs
For urgent help with basic needs while your application for unemployment is processed, we encourage you also to explore other available resources.
- Learn about public benefits at washingtonconnection.org.
- Contact 211 Washington for information about local resources. Call 211 or access a directory of services at wa211.org
Disaster Unemployment Assistance not available for the August 2026 wildfires
The federally funded Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program has not been activated for this emergency. DUA is for those who have applied for unemployment benefits and did not qualify.
If DUA is authorized, Employment Security will announce how to apply and specific deadlines.