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COVID-19 information
We’re all in this together.
COVID-19 has created an unprecedented demand for our services—especially unemployment benefits and Paid Family and Medical Leave.
We're working hard to serve you. We are continually building capacity in our teams and updating our technology to better serve you.
Our phones are very busy. We constantly adjust and improve our phones systems to better meet demand, but we continue to experience historic call volumes. Visit our Help page for strategies that work to get the help you need. If you have a problem that can be fixed only by phone, please keep trying throughout the day — not only when we first open. Our dedicated experts are here for you, even if they’re hard to reach right now.
On this page
• Federal stimulus updates and benefit extensions
• Washington's Pandemic Relief Payment (PRP) program
• More information on COVID-19
Federal stimulus
Important updates - federal stimulus
The federal stimulus bill that extends CARES Act unemployment benefits was signed into law.
The legislation:
- Extends Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Employment Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) until Sept. 4, 2021.
- Continues the additional $300 per week for all eligible claimants until Sept. 4, 2021. By federal law, all claimants will get this benefit, except those receiving Training Benefits. The $300 is in addition to claimants’ usual weekly benefit amount.
At this time, we do not expect most claimants to experience a gap in benefits as long as they remain eligible and continue to submit weekly claims.
For now, claimants should:
- Continue filing weekly claims.
- Watch for updates on this page, via email, social media and messages in eServices.
- Please try not to call our Unemployment Claims Center with questions—call volume remains very high. Find the latest information on this page and in the COVID-19 Q&As.
(Updated March 11, 2021)
Expanded unemployment benefits
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is a separate benefit program that provides a financial safety net to many people who do not qualify for regular unemployment, including:
- Self-employed people
- Independent contractors
- Part-time workers (with fewer than 680 hours)
- Available Feb. 2, 2020 - Sept. 4, 2021
- PUA overpayments
Benefit extensions
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) is an extension of regular unemployment benefits that is available March 29, 2020 - Sept. 4, 2021. It provides additional weeks of benefits on top of your regular unemployment benefits. Find out more about PEUC and other benefit extension programs you may qualify for after you run out of regular unemployment benefits.
Extended Benefits (EB)
Due to the lower unemployment rate in Washington state, the U.S. Department of Labor has notified us that our state’s Extended Benefits (EB) program is ending March 13, 2021.
If you are receiving Extended Benefits, we will continue to pay Extended Benefits through the week ending March 13, 2021.
The U.S. Congress passed a stimulus bill to extend unemployment benefits. When the bill is signed into law, you can be eligible for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). You should continue filing weekly claims.
Additional benefits
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
The FPUC program adds $300 to your weekly benefits from the week ending Jan. 2 to the week ending Sept. 4, 2021, if you are eligible for those weeks. We will include the payments with your normal unemployment benefits until the program ends.
From March 29 – July 25, 2020, FPUC provided an additional $600 weekly benefit.
Navigate the various unemployment programs: benefits at a glance
Washington's Pandemic Relief Payment (PRP) program
The Pandemic Relief Payment (PRP) Program is a one-time payment of $550 for some recipients of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits. Go to the Pandemic Relief Payments page for more information.
Information for workers
For questions about how unemployment, standby, the waiting week, and more have been affected by COVID-19, please see our Q&A for workers.
Information for employers
For businesses looking for updates on how COVID-19 has impacted unemployment insurance, quarterly reporting, and more, please see our Q&A for businesses.
Lost Wages Assistance
Lost Wages Assistance was an emergency federal measure to provide an additional $300 for six weeks in August and September 2020. Go to the Lost Wages Assistance page for more information.
COVID-19 resources
- Visit the Employment Security Department's COVID-19 rulemaking page.
- Get the latest information and learn about other resources that may be available to you at Washington State’s COVID-19 website. Visit coronavirus.wa.gov.
- Get the most recent updates from Governor Jay Inslee.
- The Washington State Department of Health’s website is the place to go for the best local information about COVID-19 in Washington state.
- If you have questions or concerns related to your health, call the state Department of Health at 800-525-0127, and press #.
- The CDC website is an excellent source of information, including guidelines for businesses.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has a mythbusters website with advice for the public.
- The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) website has information about community programs and eligibility.
- The Washington Department of Financial Institutions has a list of financial resources for consumers impacted by COVID-19.
- A comprehensive list of state resources is available on the governor's coronavirus page.
