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Employment Security Department launches campaign to connect marginalized job seekers to benefits

5/29/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 29, 2024

Contact:   media@esd.wa.gov    

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Employment Security Department is mailing letters to specific groups of marginalized job seekers who might qualify for unemployment benefits. The job seekers will receive the letter after they experience a job loss.

This outreach campaign is part of a U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) grant that aims to promote equitable access to unemployment benefits.

With this project, Employment Security seeks to better understand whether providing additional timely information can improve access to benefits for these job seekers.

“Equity is one of Employment Security’s core values, so reaching out to job seekers who may have barriers to unemployment benefits is extremely important,” Employment Security Commissioner Cami Feek said. “Equity eliminates barriers that have been entrenched in our systems. We always strive to make our benefits available to all who qualify.”

Who will receive the letter

As part of this project, Employment Security is sending letters to those who might not apply for benefits due to inequitable access. These workers may not know:

  • About unemployment benefits.
  • Whether they are eligible for benefits.
  • How to apply for benefits.
  • The advantages of applying for benefits.

These job seekers typically:

  • Have stable work with one employer for several quarters.
  • Experience a significant drop in hours and do not find another job in the most recent quarter.
  • Are eligible for unemployment benefits.
  • Work in low-wage positions in industries where employees are less likely to apply for benefits.

About the research

Employment Security sent out about 10,000 letters as part of a pilot on March 13. Additional letters will be mailed to separate groups of job seekers over the next few months. Employment Security will mail about 60,000 letters total.

According to USDOL, marginalized job seekers are less likely to apply for unemployment benefits.

As part of the grant, Employment Security is reviewing and analyzing response rates from claimants. The agency will report these results to USDOL later this year.

Letter project joins Unemployment Insurance Navigator program to help potential claimants

In addition to these letters, Employment Security has also launched Unemployment Insurance Navigator Program to reach potential unemployment claimants.

The program provided $2 million in USDOL funds to community organizations to help potential claimants in underserved communities better understand available benefits.

Nine community-based organizations in Washington will receive grant money for the program, which began earlier this year.