10-053

Media contact: Jamie Swift, communications manager, 360-902-0904

OLYMPIA – At a time when the Employment Security Department is sending mail to more people than ever before, the agency is spending millions less on postage. In fact, over the past three years, Employment Security has trimmed more than $7 million in mail costs by combining mailings and maximizing postage discounts. 

“Our mailroom employees leave no stone unturned when it comes to cost-cutting strategies,” said Employment Security Commissioner Paul Trause. “They understand the importance of spending tax resources wisely and efficiently.”

In the latest cost-cutting move, starting this month, the department will begin mailing unemployment checks in standard white envelopes. For years, checks have been sent in gold envelopes to distinguish them from other mailings. Moving to a standard white envelope will save nearly 2 cents per envelope, amounting to an annual savings of more than $115,000.

###

Employment Security Web site – www.esd.wa.gov

Broadcast version

At a time when the Washington Employment Security Department is mailing unemployment benefits to more people than ever, the agency is spending millions less on postage. 

Over the past three years, the department has trimmed more than seven-million dollars in mail costs by combining mailings and maximizing postage discounts.

As a result of its latest cost-cutting move, the agency will save more than 115-thousand dollars a year by mailing unemployment checks in white envelopes instead of gold envelopes.

###