How Do I File For Unemployment In Washington State

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Should you apply now for Paid Family and Medical Leave? Answer these key questions before you start.

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How Do I Get My Federal Stimulus Check

The CARE act provides a one time $1200 check for people who make under $75,000 per year, or $2,400 for a married couple making less than $150,000 per year, with an extra $500 per child under the age of 16.;;

But how do you get your check?

To receive it you will need to have filed taxes from this year or the previous one unless you’re on social security disability. Per KREM, The government will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to generate the payments. The government has also said it will create a portal in the next couple of weeks where you can input your bank account information.

When you will receive the check is another matter. If the government already has your direct deposit information from tax filings, you will allegedly have money directly deposited into your account around mid-April. If that information is not on file, youll have to wait for a physical check, which will likely take longer.;

Washington Unemployment Phone Numbers

Sometimes you just have to talk to a live person to get answers to your questions.

Be prepared for long waits because lots of people try to do the same thing that you are. Be patient and you will get through to someone who can help you. Even though it is frustrating to wait so long, please be courteous and polite. The staffers on the other line are over-worked and are doing everything they can to help all of the people.

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What Is The Best Time To Call Washington Unemployment

During busy times, callers can choose to be called back instead of waiting on hold. Call later in the week. For new applications, Thursday and Friday mornings are the least busy times in the call centers. The best time to file weekly claims via the automated phone system is Tuesday through Thursday after 5 p.m.

Q How Am I Supposed To Meet Deadlines Related To My Existing Unemployment Claim If I Am In Isolation Or Quarantine As A Result Of Covid

A.;Under the emergency rules we put into place as a result of COVID-19, we are providing more leniency for many UI deadlines, such as deadlines for training programs.Submityour documents as soon as you are ableandprovide as much information as you can.Progress reports for training programscan be submittedwith whatever information you have available. For example, if your school has closed,return your paperwork andtell us.;

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How To Represent Yourself At An Unemployment Benefits Hearing

If you have been denied unemployment compensation benefits, you have a right to appeal. If you have been allowed benefits, your former employer has the same right to appeal. If either you or your employer appeals, you will have a hearing with an administrative law judge. This explains how to represent yourself at the hearing. #7600EN Read More

Other Types Of Benefits And Programs For The Unemployed

Educational Help

Federal agencies offer many unemployment education and training programs. They are generally free or low cost to the unemployed.

Self-Employment Help

Self-employment assistance programs help unemployed workers start their own small businesses. Delaware, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, and Oregon offer this program.

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After I Start Receiving Benefits What Do I Have To Do To Remain Eligible

You must continue to file each;week online using your eServices account or by telephone, and you must continue to be able and available for full-time work. You must be actively seeking employment, while keeping a record of your work search contacts using the Job-search log. To be actively seeking employment, each week you file for benefits, you must make at least three employer contacts each week, participate in three in-person job search activities at a local facility, or have a total of three employer contacts and in-person activities.

Is Paid Family And Medical Leave The Same As The Family And Medical Leave Act

No. Paid Family and Medical Leave and FMLA are different. Examples of differences:

Paid Family and Medical Leave:

• Is a state program just for people working in Washington
• Offers paid leave

• Is only available to workers in businesses of 50 or more employees

Similarities:

Job protection under FMLA and Paid Family and Medical Leave is similar. This leave will usually run concurrently when people are eligible for both.

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Benefits Available For Self

Unemployment benefits are now available for Washingtonians who have lost work because of the COVID-19 crisisincluding freelancers, independent contractors and other self-employed workers. The federal CARES Act makes this possible.

If youre a self-employed worker whos lost income in this crisis, you may now qualify for unemployment benefits. The amount of financial help varies. But if your application is approved, you will be paid at least the minimum weekly benefit amount.

Wa Unemployment Problems Persist With Some Going Unpaid For Months

Nine months into the pandemic, the states unemployment system is still rife with issues, and thousands are stuck in limbo.

• Melissa Santos

Heather Frey outside of her Seattle home on Dec. 15, 2020. Frey has been filing for pandemic unemployment assistance since March and, as of earlier this week,;hadnt received a single payment yet.

Heather Frey filed for unemployment in March, when the pandemic disrupted her business selling used books online.;

Nine months later, the Seattle resident was still waiting on her first unemployment check and wondering how she was going to pay her bills.

Frey is one of the many self-employed people newly eligible for unemployment benefits under COVID-19 relief programs. Yet, as her experience shows, getting those benefits can still be a challenge, even nine months into the pandemic.

The state Employment Security Department says such delays are rare. As of Dec. 5, the agency said;1.8% of people who had filed for unemployment since March were still waiting for ESD to resolve their claims.

But with this years deluge of unemployment applicants, 1.8% still amounts to nearly 27,000 people. And, while ESD normally aims for claims with issues to be resolved within three weeks, the department is now taking nearly 10 weeks to resolve complicated claims, on average.

He previously worked in a fruit warehouse, packing and sorting work that brought him into close contact with other people.;

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How To Apply For Unemployment In Washington

by Lyle Daly | April 6, 2020

Many or all of the products here are from our partners. We may earn a commission from offers on this page. Its how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts opinions arent influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

Planning to apply for unemployment benefits in Washington? Here’s everything you need to know.

Planning to apply for unemployment benefits in Washington? Here’s everything you need to know.

Unemployment claims have been skyrocketing because of the COVID-19 crisis and states have been adjusting their regulations to deal with this unprecedented situation.

If you’ve seen your income drop, you may be able to claim weekly unemployment benefits. In this guide, you’ll learn how to do so in Washington State and how the recently passed government stimulus bill could affect your claim.

Apply For Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

If you are denied regular benefits, you may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance . You should receive an alert in your account about applying for this program. If you do not receive an alert about applying for PUA and you receive an alert to apply for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation , you will need to complete the PEUC application before you can apply for PUA.

Key information:

• If your application is approved, your weekly benefit amount will be based on your normal income, up to a maximum of $790.
• You will be asked to upload documents such as your federal tax return as proof of income, which could increase your weekly benefit amount above the minimum of $235. The last day you can submit these documents is either Sept. 6, 2021, or 21 days after you applied for PUA, whichever is later.
• You also will be asked to answer questions that verify your work history. You will have 21 days from the date of the letter to submit your answers.

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How Much Money Will I Receive In Unemployment Benefits

Weekly unemployment benefits in Washington range from $188 to $790. Your weekly benefit amount depends on your earnings during your base year, and you’ll find out how much you’ll get after you apply for unemployment.

The CARES Act is also providing an additional $600 per week for everyone on unemployment from March 29 through July 31, 2020. Although the ESD is working on its technology to start paying this additional amount, it will backdate claims to ensure everyone gets the full amount they’re owed.

Benefits are paid either through a direct deposit to your bank account or to a prepaid debit card the ESD sends you. When you apply for unemployment, you can choose your preferred payment method.

Q Im Receiving Severance Payis That Considered Income And Will I Be Able To Apply For Unemployment Benefits

• If you receive a one-time payment, you will not qualify for unemployment for the week in which you receive the severance pay. After that, you may be eligible depending on your other circumstances.;;

• If you receive several severance payments, your employer must report taxes paid to ESD on this income and if this severance pay disqualifies you from receiving the unemployment benefits, you can apply once the severance pay runs out. You will be able to file and receive full unemployment benefits, the 26 weeks plus the 13 additional weeks extended by the federal government.;;

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Q I Applied For Unemployment Benefits And Was Denied But I Believe Esd Was Wrong To Deny My Claim What Should I Do

A. Always file again when youre denied*. You will be assigned a hearing to appeal;your case in front of a judge.;There is no fee and no penalty if you end up withdrawing the appeal. Notify the judge in writing if your issue is resolved otherwise it may be very difficult to get another hearing.;;

*The ESD is recommending that you do not appeal a denial of standby unless;your issue is complicated, or the standby designation will affect your access to benefits.;

What Are Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment benefits provide you with 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, from taxes your former employer paid, are not based on financial need. While you receive benefits, your job is to get back to work as quickly as possible.

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Q My Childs School Is Closed Due To The Governors Order If I Dont Have Childcare And Stay Home To Take Care Of My Children Am I Eligible For Unemployment Benefits

A.;It depends. If you cannot go to work because you dont have childcare for your child while school is closed, you should call your employer and let them know why you are absent. If your employer fires you or lays you off while you are absent, you may qualify for benefits.;However, you are required to be able, available and actively seeking work each week you collect unemployment benefits. If you do not have childcare so that you can return to your job or accept a work offer, you will not be eligible for unemployment benefits. If your situation changes, let us know. Remember, your first and best option should always be employer-paid time off.;

How To File Weekly Claims

You must file a weekly certification to begin receiving benefits. You must then submit a claim for each week that you want to receive benefits. You can file a claim online or by telephone.

• If you are filing online, file between Sunday 12:00 a.m. to Saturday 11:59 p.m.
• If you are filing by phone, use the automated system or speak to representatives at the Department

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How To Apply For Unemployment Washington

The process for qualifying and applying for unemployment differs from state to state. So, naturally, if you find yourself amongst the rapidly rising number of unemployed full-time employees or gig workers in Washington, youll want to know how to file your Washington unemployment application.;

But, as a word of caution, in order to do so, youll have to get in line and be patient so to speak. There have been reports of the website crashing or long phone hold times due to high call volume. The department is understandably overwhelmed by the sheer number of claims. So, although theyre hiring and making changes to accommodate the influx of weekly claims, theres only so much they can do.;

You can apply either by phone or online, but because call volumes are so high, it may be faster and easier to apply online. Once you decide how you will apply, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Make Sure You Meet the General Eligibility Requirements;

Note: Although changes have been made to general eligibility requirements for WA unemployment benefits with the passage of the Federal Stimulus Package, the system is not currently set up to accept the application and wont be so until mid-April. So, unfortunately, if youre a gig worker, self-employed, temporarily laid off or had your hours reduced, youll have to wait until eligibility has been updated. ;;

To be eligible before the passage of the bill, you must meet the following criteria:

Step 2: Gather the Relevant Information;

I Am A Gig Worker Am I Eligible For Unemployment

There is a lot of confusion out there about whether gig workers, like rideshare drivers, are eligible for unemployment benefits. But, if you are a gig worker who has lost work due to COVID-19, we want you to apply for unemployment benefits! There are some challenges with the application process that we are working to resolve. Read these tips:

• The online application is not designed for the way you work. Fill it out the best that you can. Our claims agents work through these applications on a case-by-case basis.
• Currently, independent contractors and sole proprietors are not eligible for unemployment insurance. Whether a gig worker is considered to be in one of these categories varies by situation. Our claims center agents will evaluate situations on a case-by-case basis. We want you to apply anyway.

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Q What Happens After I Apply

A. If you provided an email address, you;will;receive verification via email that your application;has been received. Be sure to record your confirmation number before submitting your application in case you have issues with your claim. Keep checking your email and mail for more information, and you will receive an Unemployment Claim Determination letter through the mail. This letter includes the wages reported by your base year employer and, if you qualify for benefits, the weekly benefit amount you will receive.;

Once the ESD determines your eligibility, theyll process and issue payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim. The average unemployment claim is approved with no issues and benefits become available shortly after you file your weekly claim. Other claims require more research to reach a decision. Continue to file weekly claims during this time.;

Coronavirus: Heres How To Apply For Unemployment In Washington

Larry Tesler File photo a woman types on a keyboard in New York.

With the coronavirus pandemic ongoing, many people have found themselves without a job.

The Washington State Employment Security Department says you may be eligible for unemployment benefits if you are unable to work due to coronavirus. Some scenarios include:

• Your employer temporarily closes the business to comply with state guidelines
• You are temporarily laid off or your hours are reduced due to business slowdown or lack of demand.

For more on specific scenarios related to coronavirus that may impact your eligibility for unemployment benefits, please visit esd.wa.gov/newsroom/covid-19.

So, how do you apply for unemployment?

According to the Washington State Employment Security Department, you must have the following information before you can file:

· Name, Social Security number, birthdate and contact information

· Your employment for the last 18 months, including for each employer:

· Name, address and phone number

· First and last day of work dates

· Your bank account and routing number, if you want to sign up for direct deposit.

If you normally get your work through a union, had more than 16 employers in your base year, or were in the military during the last 18 months, you may need to provide additional information. Find more at esd.wa.gov/unemployment/have-this-information-ready.

Where to apply

You can also apply by phone,but call volumes are extremely high.

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