How Do You Apply For Unemployment In Washington State
In order to be eligible for unemployment benefits in Washington, you must meet the following criteria: You must have at least 680 hours of employment in your base year You must be able and available to work You must be unemployed through no fault of your own. You must live in Washington and have worked in the state
Whats Next For Unemployment Benefits
As unemployment benefits are distributed in some states, and running out in others, distressed Americans and state budgets are exhausting their options.
And as the 2020 presidential election comes to an end, congressional lawmakers are resuming conversations to pass a second stimulus package, with extended unemployment benefits as pandemic related unemployment programs are set to expire at years end.
How To Apply For Unemployment Insurance Benefits
You should apply for unemployment compensation as soon as you are unemployed. Most states will make you wait for one week before you are able to apply for unemployment benefits. However, this is currently waived due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Start by starting your personal information, such as your Social Security Number, previous two years of employment history , the last date you worked, your wage history, and if applicable, information for your union. You may need additional information, such as your education level, military service history, or other information.
Try Applying online first. Most states allow you to apply online, in-person, or over the phone. However, states are currently overburdened with applications and many are not accepting in-person applications. So your best bet is to try online first. Be patient, as many states are running antiquated systems that are not designed to handle the flood of applications they are receiving.
Once approved, you may be required to meet with an employment counselor at some point. You will also have to certify your attempts to continue your job search. Most states require this on a weekly basis.
You May Like: How To Make Money When Unemployed
How To File Your Weekly Claim
After you file your application for unemployment benefits, you must start filing your weekly claims. You require filing each week, even though you are:
You can file your weekly claim:
- Through the Internet You can file your weekly claim online. You must have a User ID and PIN to file your weekly claim online.
- File every week that you want to claim benefits and keep on filing until you go back to work, run out of benefits or stop seeking work. You will receive your unemployment benefits one week after filing the claim.
More Help For Businesses May Be Coming
The flood of people who lost their jobs during the pandemic has severely depleted the states unemployment insurance trust fund, which is what pays peoples benefits when they have been laid off.
To replenish the trust fund when it is low, the states unemployment system is set up to automatically increase taxes on businesses. Companies that lay off lots of workers end up paying more, since their former employees go on to claim a larger amount of unemployment benefits.
But state lawmakers have largely agreed that this system wasnt built for a once-in-a-century pandemic. They see tax bills like the one Michaud received in the mail as evidence of that.
The emergency fix Inslee signed into law Monday does a lot to curb that problem. Business tax bills this year will be reduced considerably from the notices that went out in December. On average, businesses will pay only about $10 more per employee in 2021 than they did in 2020, according to one legislative analysis.
Yet that modest increase wont be the case for everyone. Unless the Legislature does more, certain businesses that were especially hard-hit during the pandemic are in line for much bigger tax hikes.
Those businesses will likely include small retailers like Michaud, as well as restaurants, which have been particularly affected by public health measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, said state Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, who chairs the Senate committee that deals with unemployment issues.
You May Like: Pa Apply For Unemployment
Wa Jobless Benefits Lag While Unemployment Taxes Loom
The state is trying to fix some of the systems most pressing issues to deal with the ongoing unemployment crisis.
Owner Lisa Michaud in her consignment shop, Two Big Blondes, on Feb. 9, 2020. Michauds business had to close at the start of the pandemic. Since she reopened, her business has plummeted and she has been able to hire back only half her staff,
The notice that came in the mail in December was a shock for Lisa Michaud. At a time when she was struggling to keep her Seattle retail store afloat, the state Employment Security Department said her unemployment tax rate was about to go up by nearly 4,000% mainly because of layoffs she had to make at the start of the pandemic.
Like many states, Washington calculates unemployment taxes for businesses partly based on how many of their former workers go on to claim unemployment benefits.
That means many business owners, like Michaud, received jaw-dropping rate hike notices late last year, after the pandemic and resulting shutdown orders forced them to lay off a large share of their workforce.
The Legislature recently passed a measure to try to address the issue, so that Michaud and others wont have to pay sky-high tax bills in April.
But unless the Legislature takes additional action, small retailers like Michaud are still likely to see their unemployment tax rates rise significantly in the near future. Restaurants, some of the businesses hardest hit by the pandemic, face big increases as well.
How Can I Estimate My Weekly Benefit Amount
You can estimate your own weekly benefit amount to see how much you are potentially eligible to receive. To do this, you need to know which calendar quarters will make up your base year.
Your base year is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the week in which you apply for benefits. For example, if you applied for unemployment benefits on Jan. 20, 2021, your base year would include wages earned from Oct. 1, 2019, through Sept. 30, 2020.
You could be eligible for an alternate base year claim if you do not have enough hours in that base year for a valid claim .
When you file your claim here:
Your base year is the blue-shaded area.
To estimate how much you might be eligible to receive, add together the gross wages in the two highest quarters during that period, divide by 2, and then multiply by 0.0385 to get your weekly benefit amount.
The total amount of benefits potentially payable on your claim is found by taking the smaller of:
- 26 times your weekly benefit amount or
- 1/3 of the total gross wages in all four quarters of your base year.
You May Like: Making Money While Unemployed
Will I Get Back Pay For The $600 Unemployment Washington State
If an applicant had separated from his or her job or became eligible under the CARES Act before submitting or obtaining approval, benefits from the time the application was submitted will be paid. Afterwards, well be able to make retroactive payments of both the weekly benefit amount and an additional $600 a week after the original claim has been paid.
Unemployment Benefits By State
A note about this table: The information in this table is up to date at the time of publication. We regularly review this information for accuracy. However, each state maintains its unemployment insurance program and details do change from time to time. We link to each states employment bureau where you can find the most up to date information.
Additionally, this table lists the maximum unemployment insurance benefits you can receive. Not all workers will receive the maximum benefit. Benefits are often based on your previous salary, if or when you previously claimed unemployment compensation, and how long you have been working. Each state may also have additional rules regarding whether or not you are out of work through no fault of your own, whether or not you receive any additional income from employment or side gigs, or whether or not you receive additional income from a pension or retirement benefits.
| Wyoming Department of Workforce Services | 307-473-3789 |
Recommended Reading: Applying For Unemployment In Tennessee
How Do I Report Fraud
Washington state has a comprehensive network designed to help residents report instances of fraudulent claims. To report fraud, use the secure fraud reporting form to alert officials that an imposter may be fraudulently claiming benefits under your name. If you have reason to believe that someone is claiming fraudulent unemployment benefits, you also can report this using the states fraud tip reporting form.
Supplemental Unemployment Insurance Benefits During The Coronavirus Pandemic
The CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan established the following supplemental unemployment insurance programs during the coronavirus pandemic:
- Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation
The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program aimed to provide qualifying unemployment insurance claimants with a supplemental $300-$600 per week in addition to their state unemployment insurance benefits. The program expired on September 6, 2021.
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation
The Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation sought to provide 24 weeks of extended unemployment insurance benefits to recipients who have exhausted their standard benefits. The program expired on September 6, 2021.
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
The federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program aimed to provide individuals who are out of work but ineligible for standard unemployment insurance benefits with $300-$600 in weekly compensation. Qualifying individuals included workers who are not eligible for standard benefits, such as independent contractors and self-employed workers, as well as individuals who have exhausted their standard benefits, extended benefits, or PEUC benefits. The program expired on September 6, 2021.
- Lost Wages Assistance
- Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation
Don’t Miss: How To Draw Unemployment In Tn
Can I Get Unemployment Benefits Because Of Coronavirus
The federal government is making it easier for people who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic to qualify for unemployment benefits.
You might be eligible if
- Your company is temporarily closed.
- Youre quarantined.
- You quit your job because youre afraid of getting sick.
- You quit your job to care for a sick family member.
Traditionally, unemployment benefits have catered to full-time employees who lost their job. But in response to COVID-19, the federal government is also allowing states to extend benefits to part-time workers and people who are self-employed.
I Filed My Taxes Before The Stimulus Bill Was Signed Do I Have To Do Anything
No. The IRS will automatically recalculate the amount of taxes due and give you a refund if you overpaid, so long as your overall tax situation stays the same.
The only reason youd have to file an amended return is if the law makes you newly eligible for a tax break like the Earned Income Tax Credit. If this applies to you, you can file an amended return using Form 1040X.
Read Also: Www Njuifile Net 1099 Form
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.
How Are Benefits Calculated
The formula and method to calculate benefits are very state-specific. About half of the states use the highest quarter method in which the calendar quarter in which your earnings are the highest is taken into consideration. In other states, your income throughout the base period is summed up to check whether or not youre eligible.Unemployment is computed and can range from one-half of what was your weekly pay at the time of the discharge up to your states maximum benefit. You will have to verify with your states unemployment office to see the highest payout for your state. For further details refer to the unemployment benefits article.
To calculate your weekly benefits amount, you should:
Recommended Reading: Can You Overdraft Reliacard
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation
Benefit: Additional $300/week in increased unemployment benefits for those currently receiving FPUC. The extension is from January 2, 2021 to March 13, 2021. The FPUC payments will be sent from the Employment Security Department .
Do I report this in Washington Healthplanfinder?
- It depends
- No, if enrolled in Washington Apple Health or households with members enrolled in both WAH and Qualified Health Plans.
- Yes, if enrolled in a Qualified Health Plan. Report your current base weekly benefit amount received plus the additional $300/week in increased unemployment benefits.
- This is the amount included in the weekly benefit amount listed under the “Weeks Summary” tab in Eservices. Instructions on how to find this amount are below .
- If enrolled in a Qualified Health Plan, you may choose to lower the amount of tax credits applied to your premium if you are concerned about a potential tax credit repayment.
Try These Tips To Improve Your Ability To Apply On
- Apply during off-peak hours or try again later in the week once approved benefits are retroactive to your date of eligibility.
- Use a computer or laptop if you can, as smart phones are experiencing technical difficulties in the application process.
- Only try reloading twice in 10 minutes. If you dont get through wait 2 hours before trying again.
- Following the steps below before you apply can help make your application process as smooth as possible.
You May Like: How Does Unemployment Work In Louisiana
What Percentage Of Salary Does Unemployment Pay In Washington State
Another key factor in the benefit increase: Earlier this year, state lawmakers raised the percentage used to calculate the minimum weekly benefit, from 15% of a workers average earnings to 20%, for claims filed after June 30. The higher rate kicks in during the first full week of July, which starts July 4.
How To Apply For Unemployment In Washington
by Lyle Daly | Updated July 17, 2021 – First published on April 6, 2020
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.
Read Also: File For Unemployment Tn
How Much Can I Get Each Week
In Washington state, the maximum weekly benefit amount is $929. The minimum is $295. No one eligible for benefits will receive less than $295, regardless of their earnings.
The actual amount you are eligible to receive depends on the earnings in your base year. We calculate your weekly benefit amount and maximum benefits payable by using the wage information reported to us by your employer.
Learn About Reporting Unemployment Income
Many people in Washington are experiencing significant disruption in their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including loss of jobs and health coverage. You may have questions about entering income in Washington Healthplanfinder as your weekly benefits changes.
Keep your unemployment benefits up to date, to get the right amount of financial help. If you are eligible for premium tax credits and receive unemployment income for any week during 2021, you may be eligible for increased federal premium tax credits and lower out-of-pocket costs. With Washington Healthplanfinder at wahealthplanfinder.org or the mobile app WAPlanfinder, you can receive free help, apply or update your information for health coverage virtually. To get started or create an account to report changes and make other updates.
Tips on reporting your unemployment income
There are new types of income created by the American Rescue Plan Act passed by the US Congress in March 2021.More information on how to report these types of income is below.
How do I report these new incomes in Washington Healthplanfinder?
You May Like: Njuifile Net Direct Deposit
How Much Will I Receive In Weekly Benefits
You can calculate your potential benefits online. Your weekly benefit amount and the number of weeks of entitlement are based on the wages you were paid and the amount of time you worked during your base period. The weekly benefit amount is calculated by dividing the sum of the wages earned during the highest quarter of the base period by 26, rounded down to the next lower whole dollar. The result cannot exceed the utmost weekly benefit permitted by the rule. This is a state-specific parameter and is dependent on the states budget and unemployment rate.The base period is the term used to describe the time frame used as the basis for deciding whether or not you will be monetarily eligible for unemployment.
What Do You Need To Know About Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment Insurance. The Unemployment Insurance program pays benefits to workers who have lost their job and meet the programs eligibility requirements. If you have become unemployed or partially unemployed, you may file a UI claim. After you have filed a claim, you must continue to certify for benefits and meet eligibility requirements
Recommended Reading: Apply For Unemployment Tn
