Unemployment Insurance Update COVID-19
Starting Sunday, April 19, unemployment benefits in Washington state are expanding under the Federal CARES Act to cover independent contractors and self-employed individuals.
Additionally, anyone who is receiving or will be receiving weekly unemployment benefits (either through regular State unemployment or through the expanded CARES Act) will receive an additional $600 per week available to all eligible workers.
These new benefits are also available for workers who did not work enough hours to qualify for traditional unemployment benefits (workers who worked less than 680 hours).
We encourage anyone who has lost work due to COVID-19 to apply, including delivery drivers, Uber/Lyft drivers, and domestic workers who are house cleaners, nannies, cooks, home care workers, gardeners, household managers, etc.
Workers can apply to receive unemployment assistance from the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) at esd.wa.gov/unemployment. Folks can apply starting this on Sunday, April 19 with a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account. This is the online portal to start applying for benefits. (Please note the ESD unemployment benefits system will be unavailable Saturday April 18 from 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM to prep for the new expansion.)
Please also note that applying for Unemployment Insurance may be a lengthy and complicated process. But it is not impossible. Because the application process requires sensitive personal information, it is difficult for organizations to help people apply. Workers will need to be creative. Find a bilingual friend to assist with the application process over a vide call. Or maybe a bilingual family member quarantining at home with you can help?
Here’s what to do right now to be prepared to apply:
- Sign up for Action Alerts
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAESD/signup/15249 - Check out the application check list
https://esdorchardstorage.blob.core.windows.net/esdwa/Default/ESDWAGOV/Unemployment/COVID-19_Applications_CheckList.pdf - Sign up for or check if you have a Secure Access WA (SAW) Account
https://secure.esd.wa.gov/home/ - Have documents ready to show your work hours. Tax information like a tax return or 1099 is best, but other documents may be accepted.
This program is administered by a government department at the Washington State level. So, we at the City will not have a lot of influence over this process. But we are working on in-language instructional materials, as well as potentially in-language webinars. Please don’t hesitate to let me know what you or your organization is doing to help people. We are always glad to help promote your work.
Unemployment Insurance Update COVID-19
Starting Sunday, April 19, unemployment benefits in Washington state are expanding under the Federal CARES Act to cover independent contractors and self-employed individuals.
Additionally, anyone who is receiving or will be receiving weekly unemployment benefits (either through regular State unemployment or through the expanded CARES Act) will receive an additional $600 per week available to all eligible workers.
These new benefits are also available for workers who did not work enough hours to qualify for traditional unemployment benefits (workers who worked less than 680 hours).
We encourage anyone who has lost work due to COVID-19 to apply, including delivery drivers, Uber/Lyft drivers, and domestic workers who are house cleaners, nannies, cooks, home care workers, gardeners, household managers, etc.
Workers can apply to receive unemployment assistance from the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) at esd.wa.gov/unemployment. Folks can apply starting this on Sunday, April 19 with a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account. This is the online portal to start applying for benefits. (Please note the ESD unemployment benefits system will be unavailable Saturday April 18 from 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM to prep for the new expansion.)
Please also note that applying for Unemployment Insurance may be a lengthy and complicated process. But it is not impossible. Because the application process requires sensitive personal information, it is difficult for organizations to help people apply. Workers will need to be creative. Find a bilingual friend to assist with the application process over a vide call. Or maybe a bilingual family member quarantining at home with you can help?
Here’s what to do right now to be prepared to apply:
- Sign up for Action Alerts
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAESD/signup/15249 - Check out the application check list
https://esdorchardstorage.blob.core.windows.net/esdwa/Default/ESDWAGOV/Unemployment/COVID-19_Applications_CheckList.pdf - Sign up for or check if you have a Secure Access WA (SAW) Account
https://secure.esd.wa.gov/home/ - Have documents ready to show your work hours. Tax information like a tax return or 1099 is best, but other documents may be accepted.
This program is administered by a government department at the Washington State level. So, we at the City will not have a lot of influence over this process. But we are working on in-language instructional materials, as well as potentially in-language webinars. Please don’t hesitate to let me know what you or your organization is doing to help people. We are always glad to help promote your work.