Definitions of terms

A central login that lets you access the online services of multiple state agencies. It’s often referred to as SAW. Read more about eServices for individuals or read more about eServices for employers.
 

Allows unemployment claimants to receive self-employment training and business counseling while collecting unemployment benefits. If you qualify and enroll in an approved training program, you do not have to look for other work while in this program. Learn more about the Self-Employment Assistance program.
 

 A payment that an employer makes, is making or will make to you as a result of separation from a job. Separation pay can be any of the following:

• Wages in lieu of notice.
• Terminal leave pay.
• Severance pay.
• Separation pay.
• Dismissal payments or wages.

You need to report this pay on your weekly claim for the week you earned it, regardless of when you receive it. 

A voluntary program that helps employers retain employees at reduced hours. SharedWork offers qualified employers an alternative to laying off employees during general economic downturns. Learn more about SharedWork.
 

A shared cost (social) tax based on benefits we paid out last year that don't relate to a specific employer. We base tax rates on the social tax rate plus an employers experience tax rate. Read more about tax rates.

During a temporary layoff, when an employer plans to rehire 1 or more laid-off employees within a certain time, ESD may approve a request to place the workers on standby. Approved workers do not need to look for work while they are collecting unemployment benefits during the approved standby period.

A law that governs the state unemployment taxes employers pay. SUTA taxes help fund the state’s unemployment trust fund. 

Wages that may have been reported under the wrong Social Security number (SSN). After you apply for unemployment benefits, we send you a letter with a list of your wages used to create your claim. If you notice wages you are certain you did not earn, please report it to the Unemployment Claims Center.

A type of labor dispute. It occurs when two or more employees withhold their work at a prearranged time. By refusing to work, their aim is to gain concessions or compromises from their employer. In Washington, striking workers could qualify for unemployment benefits. If they later receive back pay from their employer for the time on strike, they will need to repay benefits received. Go to the strikes page to read more.

Any job in your usual occupation that meets all of the following standards:

• Meets the usual wage for your location and labor market.
• Meets usual working conditions for your location and labor market.
• Is in line with your experience or training.

The maximum amount of wages subject to taxes for any employee paid by the same employer in a given year. Learn more about taxable wages and tax rates.

You must be able and available to work to be eligible for unemployment benefits. To be able and available if you are working or seeking work in another country, you need to be authorized by that country’s government to work there. 

To be able and available if you are located in another country and seeking work in the U.S., you must be either:

• Immediately able to travel back to the U.S. for work.
• Able to work remotely and authorized to work in the country where you’re located. 
   

An unemployment claim that uses a special base year for those who were disabled but are now physically able to return to work. A total disability means a worker is not able to perform a job because of a physical or mental impairment.

A company that provides claim processing and manages employee benefits under contract to another company.

A Trade Act program that helps workers who are unemployed due to foreign trade. Examples of foreign trade are increased imports from foreign countries or shifts in production to foreign countries. The goal of Trade Act programs is to help trade-affected workers return to suitable work as quickly as possible. An employer must file a petition with the U.S. Department of Labor to certify that the business was affected by foreign trade.

 A Trade Act program that provides additional weeks of unemployment benefits for claimants who have met all of the following:

• Lost their jobs because of foreign trade.
• Have used up their regular unemployment benefits.
• Do not qualify for a new claim in Washington or any other state.

Claimants must be certified under the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program and be determined eligible for TRA. Learn more about assistance for workers affected by foreign trade.
 

Additional state unemployment benefits paid to qualified workers in ESD-approved training. Find more information about Training Benefits.
 

Temporary income when you lose your job through no fault of your own. The money partly replaces your lost earnings and helps you pay expenses while looking for new work. The benefits, funded by taxes paid by your former employers, are not based on financial need. While you receive benefits, your job is to get back to work as quickly as possible.

The team of agents skilled in answering questions from claimants and employers about unemployment benefits. The claims center number is 800-318-6022.

Agents on this phone line are not able to field questions about Paid Family & Medical Leave or about WA Cares. For help with those programs, see the entry about the Customer Care Team.

A Washington state program that provides long-term insurance for eligible workers who have contributed to the fund. It is managed by the state Department of Social & Health Services.

Partners are the state Health Care Authority and ESD. Our role in WA Cares is administering exemptions and collecting premiums.

The first week you are eligible for unemployment benefits is your waiting week. You do not get paid for your waiting week. Read more about the waiting week on the weekly claims page. Even though you will not receive a payment, you need to be qualified for unemployment and submit a weekly claim to receive credit for your waiting week. We generally issue your first payment after you claim your second week, if you are eligible. You should continue to submit weekly claims and look for work every week that you want to receive benefits, unless we tell you otherwise.

Regarding discharge from work:

• Malicious behavior.
• Showing no concern for risk, injury or harm to another person when you knew, or should have known, it was harmful.
• Not acting when there is a duty to act, knowing there could be an injury. 

Wanton misconduct must be connected to the claimant’s work.

Rules or regulations written by executive branch agencies. They define and support the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), or state laws. 

Amount you are eligible to receive each week before any deductions.

Your request for payment of unemployment, paid family or paid medical leave benefits for a specific week.