Jan. 13, 2021

The Business and Workers update is a weekly newsletter providing news and information to help businesses and workers navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The information is compiled by the state Economic Resiliency Team (ERT), part of the Joint Information Center.

What should Washington workers and employers know?

Jan 13, 2021

What you should know about...

Recovery

The Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery

Gov. Jay Inslee recently announced “Healthy Washington — Roadmap to Recovery,” a COVID-19 phased recovery plan. As of Jan. 11, the state began following a regional recovery approach with every region beginning in Phase 1.

Washington has avoided overwhelming the state’s health care systems throughout this pandemic so far through rigorous safety measures, such as physical distancing and masking, as well as social and economic restrictions. This new recovery system aims to safely ease some restrictions while also maintaining crucial hospital capacity, ensuring care for Washingtonians that need it, and paving the way for economic recovery.

Read the full Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery plan here.

Read the full proclamation here.

Updated guidance for businesses and employees is available here.

What you should know about...

The 2021 Washington State Legislative Session

Governor Inslee emphasizes economic recovery and aid for small businesses as focus of 2021 legislative session

Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement on Monday, regarding the first day of the 2021 legislative session:

"Today convenes one of the most unique and challenging legislative sessions I can remember for our state. As the pandemic era has forced us all to adapt our processes, the Legislature is no exception. At the same time, decisions await legislators that will impact our state for generations going forward.

"These are my priorities for this legislative session: Relief, recovery and resilience. Relief for the here-and-now; a recovery plan to turn the corner; and resilience for our long-term wellbeing, including economic health, public health, a stronger education system, and greater preparedness for future challenges, including climate change.

"My agenda calls for immediate action on $200 million more in aid for small businesses, and landlords and tenants. We must have more assistance to workers who have lost their jobs. We need to help everyone get back to a safe work environment. We need to keep people from losing their housing and get more who are experiencing homelessness under a safe roof.

Read the full statement here. Inslee also delivered his third inaugural address this afternoon and reiterated many of these same themes. You can watch his speech here.

What you should know about...

Resources for small businesses

SBA re-opens PPP program to community financial institutions first

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. SBA has reopened the program and is currently offering:

• PPP First Draw Loans for first time program participants.
• PPP Second Draw Loans beginning Jan.13 for certain businesses who have previously received a PPP loan.

To promote access for smaller lenders and their customers, SBA is currently only accepting loan applications from participating community financial institutions (CFIs). Lender Match can help you find a participating CFI.

You can learn more about additional federal COVID relief options from the SBA here.

The WA Small Business Development Center hosted a webinar last week about the new PPP program. You can view the slide deck and other COVID-19 business support resources here.

SharedWork Program and the CARES Act

If returning part-time or full-time permanent employees back to work puts your business under additional strain, Washington’s nationally recognized SharedWork program might help your business and your employees.

SharedWork allows employers to reduce hours by as much as 50 percent, while their employees collect partial unemployment benefits to replace a portion of their lost wages. Under the CARES Act, 100 percent of SharedWork unemployment benefits do not count against an employer's experience rating through March 2021. To determine if you’re eligible, call 800-752-2500 or visit www.esd.wa.gov/sharedwork.

Requirements and resources webinar in 2021

This webinar will provide timely information and resources from state agency partners for small businesses. Click here to preview the agenda and register online for the English SBRR webinar on Jan. 28 at 9 a.m. Click to preview the agenda and register online for the Spanish SBRR webinar on Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. or call 360-515-6101

SBA launches new, free online digital learning platform

The U.S. Small Business Administration recently announced the launch of Ascent, a first-of-its-kind, free digital e-learning platform geared to help women entrepreneurs grow and expand their businesses.  Ascent has valuable content such as tips on preparing and recovering from disasters, strategic marketing and business financial strategy development.

Visit Ascent.SBA.gov and register for your free access today. For additional opportunities on how women entrepreneurs can start, grow and recover, visit SBA.gov or contact your local SBA District Office.

What you should know about....

Unemployment

UI Payments of extra $300 should start in mid-January

The new federal legislation that expands and changes CARES Act provisions includes an extra $300 per week for eligible claimants who are receiving benefits from any unemployment program. The extra payment is called Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC). Claimants who are eligible for benefits from the week ending Jan. 2, to the week ending March. 13, will receive the extra amount. Payments should start Jan. 15. Track developments on ESD’s website and social media.

Information regarding ESD waiting week

On March 28, 2020, Gov. Inslee issued Proclamation 20-21, which waived the statutory requirement that unemployment-benefits claimants serve an unpaid waiting week before they start receiving benefits. Following several extensions from the Legislature, the proclamation and the waiver expired on Dec. 28, 2020. Washignton's Employment Security Department (ESD) has adopted emergency rules to provide guidance regarding unemployment claims that are being filed now and how the waiting week waiver affects an individual's claim. For more information on all ESD’s rulemaking activities, please visit  agency rulemaking homepage.