Definitions of terms

Unless otherwise directed, unemployment claimants need to be ready, able and willing to immediately accept any suitable work offered. They also need to actively search for a job each week that they want to receive unemployment benefits. The law that applies is RCW 50.20.010.

Unless we direct unemployment claimants otherwise, they need to actively search for jobs using methods that are usual for their occupation and area. Claimants also need to keep a record of their job search. Learn more about job search requirements.
 

The process of deciding if people are eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Our process uses fact finding. If a claim is "in adjudication," ESD is gathering and reviewing facts to make that decision.

Trained staff members at ESD. Their job is to gather and research facts about an unemployment claimant's eligibility for benefits. An adjudicator uses state and federal rules and laws to resolve questions about their claim.

In Washington state, an unemployment claimant's alternate base year is the last 4 calendar quarters completed at the time they apply for benefits. If someone did not work 680 hours in their regular base year, they may be able to file a claim using their alternate base year.

If unemployment claimants or employers disagree with our decision about an unemployment claim, they can ask for an appeal. An appeal is a request for a hearing about our decision. Read more about:

• How to appeal an unemployment benefits decision (for claimants).
• How to appeal an unemployment tax decision (for employers).
• How to appeal audit findings (for employers).
• Appeal hearings and procedures (for claimants and employers).

In Washington state, an unemployment claimant's base year is the first 4 of the last 5 calendar quarters completed at the time they apply for benefits. A claimant must have worked 680 hours in covered employment during their regular base year to qualify for unemployment benefits.

An employer’s benefit ratio is based on all unemployment benefits charged to them in the past four years divided by their taxable wages for that same time. The benefit ratio determines an employer’s rate class.

The 52-week period when a claimant can receive unemployment benefits on their claim. A benefit year begins on the Sunday of the week a claimant applies for benefits.

A claimant has used up all their unemployment benefits during their benefit year.

The 3-month period beginning on the first day of January, April, July and October each year. It ends on the last day of March, June, September and December.

A "calendar year" is January 1st to December 31st.

Work done in self-employment for someone other than an employer on a one-off basis. For example, mowing the neighbor's lawn for payment.

A former employee who files a claim for unemployment benefits.

Commissioner-Approved Training is a program that allows unemployment claimants to attend full-time vocational training to get a job. Claimants do not have to look for work while receiving unemployment benefits. CAT does not pay for books, tuition or school-related fees.

An unemployment claimant who lives in 1 state and normally travels across state lines for work.

Unemployment benefit payments made by ESD to claimants in continued claim status. ESD makes these payments when we find an issue on a claim. We might not know if the claimant is eligible for benefits but we cannot stop or delay benefit payments while the issue is being resolved. ESD makes conditional payments to those in continued claim status until we can give them adequate notice, an opportunity to be heard, and until we can determine eligibility.

Claimants have received credit for their waiting week or been paid benefits for one or more weeks. Claimants are no longer in continued claim status when, for 4 weeks in a row, they either:

• Have not filed a weekly claim.
• Reported earnings that made them not eligible to receive a weekly payment.
• Did a combination of both the above.   
   

 People who are officers of a corporation. They are considered employed and not eligible for regular unemployment benefits if they meet one of the following:

• 25% or more of their total base-year wages are from that corporation; and they own 10% or more of the outstanding corporate stock.
• They have a family member, who is also an officer and who owns 10% or more of the corporate stock.

Learn more about unemployment coverage for corporate officers.

A job covered by unemployment insurance. A job is covered if the employer is required by law to report their employees' wages and hours to ESD, another state or to the federal government.

The team of agents skilled in answering questions about Paid Family & Medical Leave and WA Cares.

The Customer Care Team can help answer questions about a customer’s application, account, weekly claims, payments or use of the program. The number is 833-717-2273. This team does not handle questions about unemployment benefits. For help with unemployment benefits questions, see the entry about the Unemployment Claims Center . 

A card where ESD deposits your unemployment benefits so that you can access the money. The other alternative to receive benefit payments by direct deposit to your bank or credit union account. When you apply for benefits, you need to choose if you want to receive your benefits on a debit card or by direct deposit. Once ESD issues a benefit payment, you will typically receive it in your account or on your debit card in 1 to 3 business days, depending on how your bank processes the payment.

A tax rate Employment Security might assign employers who are behind on submitting tax payments or quarterly tax and wage reports. Read more about tax rates.

A decision made by Employment Security staff about benefit eligibility for a claimant or the tax status of an employer. Determinations are based on state law.  Sometimes called assessments or decisions.

When ESD electronically transfers your benefit payments directly into your bank account.