Updated 8/3/20
IF YOU WERE LAID OFF OR LOST HOURS & INCOME DUE TO THE PANDEMIC
The best option for most employees who lost their jobs is to file for unemployment benefits.
For workers who are not eligible for traditional unemployment benefits program, like independent contractors and self-employed people, the best option is to apply for the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.
For workers who lost hours and income due to the pandemic, you may be eligible for the expanded unemployment program, which was created through federal stimulus bills and is now being offered by WA’s Economic Security Department.
Everyone who receives some any form of unemployment benefit assistance will also receive an additional $600 per week through July 31 as part of the federal stimulus bills. AUGUST UPDATE: The US Senate failed to pass an extension of the additional $600/week, despite the continued impact of the pandemic on workers.
Federal rules bar undocumented immigrants from receiving any unemployment assistance. The combined public health and economic crises of this pandemic are hitting immigrant communities and communities of color harder than everyone else in Washington, and our emergency response programs are failing them. Join us in calling for cash assistance for ALL people in WA, regardless of immigration status.
you should be able to access unemployment benefits if you WEre an employee who:
Had your workplace shut down (temporarily or permanently) due to Gov. Inslee’s Stay Safe, Stay Home order.
Had your workplace shut down (temporarily or permanently) due to a business slowdown.
Had your hours reduced due to a business slowdown or lack of demand. (You may be eligible for partial unemployment in this case.)
On a case-by-case basis, had their workplace remain open in defiance of the Gov’s order.
More info for employees who WERE laid off or had hours reduced:
Our state's unemployment agency has waived the requirement for people receiving unemployment to search for work, until further notice.
During the coronavirus crisis, standby & partial unemployment benefits are now available to part-time employees who have worked at least 680 hours during their “base year.”
Our state has also waived the “waiting week” requirement for unemployment — so you can file for benefits as soon as you are laid off or experience reduced hours.
ESD (the Employment Security Department) has said they are currently experiencing a glitch that means workers who apply for standby may receive a notification that their application has been denied. This is an error and they’re reviewing these denials one by one, and that you do not need to call to get your denial reviewed if you’ve received this message in error.
info for independent contractors WHO LOST GIGS, JOBS, HOURS & INCOME:
The new federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program is designed for people who have lost work due to the crisis who can’t access traditional unemployment benefits, like independent contractors.
Make sure to read the instructions for self-employed workers here. You must apply for UI first and be rejected before you can apply for PUA.
When you’re ready, apply for PUA with WA’s Economic Security Department.
AFTER YOU APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT/PUA
Please fill out this form to report what happened with your unemployment claim. (If you’ve already applied for regular unemployment, even if you haven’t applied for PUA yet, you can fill it out now.) This will help us understand gaps in the system & how to navigate it, so we can provide the best info to dancers & advocate for any needed changes to make the system accessible.
HELPFUL Links:
If your claim is denied or you have questions about unemployment, contact the Unemployment Law Project.
