Definitions of terms

An area within a reasonable commuting distance of your home where job opportunities exist in your occupation. The area can vary in size, depending on available jobs and your occupation.

When a job ends for one or more employees because the employer no longer has work for them. A layoff due to a lack of work can be temporary or permanent. Laid-off workers could qualify for unemployment benefits. Go to the layoffs page to read more. 

A type of labor dispute. It occurs when an employer prevents workers from entering the workplace to do their jobs. Workers affected by a lockout could qualify for unemployment benefits. Go to the lockouts page to read more.

The maximum amount of benefits you may receive during a benefit year. In Washington, your MBA is 26 times your weekly benefit amount or 1/3 of your base-year wages, whichever is less.

Behavior that results in being fired or suspended from your job. This behavior includes acts that show a deliberate disregard for the rights and interests of the employer or a fellow employee. Learn more about being laid off or fired and read examples of misconduct. 
 

If you have an unemployment claim that expired, you may be eligible for a new claim. All claims begin on Sunday of the week you contact ESD. New claims may be backdated under certain conditions, but never before the expiration date of your previous claim.

Benefits we paid you before we found you were not eligible to receive them.

We issued you an unemployment benefits payment. Once we issue a payment, you typically receive it between 1 and 3 business days. Direct deposit could take longer, depending on how long it takes for your bank or credit union to process the transaction. Find more information about direct deposit and debit cards on our website.

ESD manages this program, which is also known as "Paid Leave." It provides payments when a serious health condition prevents you from working. It also applies when you need time to care for a family member, bond with a new child or spend time with a family member preparing for military service overseas.

It is different from the federal Family Medical Leave Act. Learn more on the Paid Leave website.

You earned wages in employment for at least 40 weeks during your base year. And you did not work more than 17 hours during any week of your base year. You must look for work and be willing to accept work for up to 17 hours each week.

You normally work less than full time or you accept part-time work. You need to be available for and actively seeking full-time work during all hours usual for your occupation.

We consider you partially unemployed if all of these apply. You:

• Were hired to work full time.
• Had your hours temporarily reduced by less than 60%.
• Earned less than 1 and 1/3 times your weekly benefit amount plus $5 each week you file a claim.
• Expect to return to full-time work for the same employer within 4 months. 

You do not need to look for work while partially unemployed.

We received your weekly unemployment claim and are processing it to determine whether you are eligible for benefits for the week. Check under the "Pending issues" tab in eServices to see if we need more information from you. If you already responded to requests for more information, you don't need to do anything.

We received your weekly claim but have not yet issued a payment. We usually process unemployment claims for payment within 48 hours if we decide you are eligible. If we have questions about your claim, we will request more information from you.

Businesses that manage human-resource issues for other companies, such as:

• Workers’ compensation.
• Payroll.
• Unemployment taxes.

A U.S. Department of Labor program. Dispatches local experts to help employers and employees navigate layoffs. The team shares information about unemployment benefits, the dislocated worker program, and WorkSource training and reemployment services. Find details about Rapid Response on the Washington Workforce Association website.

Washington’s Unemployment Insurance system uses a 40-rate class experience rating system to determine employer tax rates, based on the employer’s benefit ratio. Employment Security assigns qualified employers to one of 40 distinct rate classes to show the tax rate they pay.

A program for helping some unemployment claimants with their reemployment goals. The program connects participants with in-person assessments and reemployment services through local American Job Centers (WorkSource centers). Activities include developing a reemployment plan, researching labor market information, identifying job skills and prospects, and reviewing unemployment benefit eligibility.

A wage subsidy for older TAA-certified workers. It pays up to 50% of the difference between someone’s new wage and the wages they made at a job affected by foreign trade. The program is for eligible trade-affected workers ages 50 or older who get a new job that pays less than their trade-affected job.

A nonprofit organization, government agency or federally recognized Native American Tribe that is billed (not taxed) for unemployment benefits received by its former workers.

All compensation paid to a worker for personal services performed. It includes wages, commissions, bonuses, the cash value of compensation paid in any form other than cash and the value of tips. Services do not have to be in covered employment.

The amount you earned in any week you claim benefits, even if you have not been paid yet. You should report earnings in the week you did the work, not when you got paid. Earnings include all compensation you earned, including wages, commissions and bonuses, the cash value of compensation paid in any form other than cash, and the value of tips.

Washington state law dictates when you can qualify for a second unemployment claim. You must “requalify” for benefits on that second claim. In addition to working 680 hours in your new base year, you must return to work and earn 6 times your weekly benefit amount of your new claim. Agents at the Unemployment Claims Center can explain requalification if it applies to you.

Read more about the laws for requalification on the Washington Legislature website.
 

After workers apply for unemployment benefits, we send a Request for Separation Information (RSI) to their former employers. Employers must review the worker's job separation information and provide more information as necessary. Learn more about RSIs.

State laws now in effect. They are either passed by the Washington State Legislature and signed by the governor or enacted through the initiative process.