What Do You Need To Know
The Employment Security Department is responsible for running the Washington Unemployment Insurance program. The program is mutually funded by the federal government and the state of Washington. The Unemployment Insurance program in the state ensures employment opportunities to workers on a temporary basis.
Program Objectives
The goal of the program is to help unemployed or underemployed citizens of Washington with employment opportunities to help them support their families and attain self-sufficiency. In this way, the program helps keep the unemployment rate under check and creates a balance in the economic condition in the country.
The Washington Unemployment Insurance program requires the applicant to make constant efforts to continuously look for jobs according to their skillsets, expertise and educational background. In case you are unable to find a job that matches your skills and interests then there are chances of you getting a job that may not match your professional abilities completely.
One thing that the applicant should keep in mind before applying for the Washington Unemployment Insurance benefit is that it is not a full-time job. The candidate will be provided a job for a certain period and will be required to find a full-time job so that they can take it up once the program duration is over. You can take certain steps to look for permanent jobs including
Are You Eligible?
There are certain factors that determine your eligibility for the Washington Unemployment Insurance program and if you fulfill those requirements you can qualify for the program benefits like
- The applicant must have completed at least 680 work hours prior to applying for the Washington UI program
- The applicant is either unemployed or underemployed
- The applicant must show a full willingness to work and must not turn down any job
- The applicant must be actively looking for employment opportunities in their state
- The applicant must have zero criminal background
- The applicant must be healthy and strong enough to do any physical work
- The reason for unemployment should not be the applicant’s fault
Other than that, before applying for the Washington Unemployment Insurance (UI) the participant must wait for at least a week. The candidate can start the filing process once,
- It has been more than a week since the applicant has been unemployed
- The applicant earns below or equal to a certain percent of poverty level according to the guidelines set by the federal government.
You can also check your eligibility for the Washington Unemployment Insurance Program by going to the program’s official page. You will be required to answer questions related to,
- Citizenship status
- Unemployment status
- Work experience
- Immigration status
How To Apply
There are more than one ways to apply for the Washington Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. You can either,
- Apply Online
Submit your claim online by going to the How to Apply for Unemployment Benefits page. It has all the required information regarding the Washington Unemployment Insurance program. The Washington Employment Security Department ensures the online safety of the applicant. The website also answers any queries that the candidate might have regarding the unemployment benefits. You can also translate the website into Española.
The online application can be accessed anytime from Sunday midnight to 4 P.M. Friday except for public holiday.
- Apply through the local office
Visit a nearby Employment Security Department Claims Center to get first-hand information regarding the application process and guidelines about the Washington Unemployment Insurance Program.
If the applicant is interested in applying in person then they will have to bring the following documents to the unemployment insurance office,
- Driver’s license
- INS identification
- Passport
- Non-drivers picture identification
- Personal Identification Number(PIN) for verification purposes
- Employment status/history
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Apply via Phone Call
You can also claim a file via phone call by using the toll-free cell phone number 1-800-318-6022.
By calling on these numbers you will get to talk to representatives of the program who will guide you regarding the program. You can get information related to the certifications, direct deposit, the program’s tax contribution rate, requirements of the program.
The UI office ensures that the application process is carried out smoothly by providing sufficient information about the program. After you submit your application form you will have to wait till you are further notified by the employment insurance office in your state.
For Further Information
If you want to learn more about the program you can visit the Washington State Employment Security Department page. The website provides complete and accurate information regarding the Washington Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. It also provides details about the eligibility criteria and the application procedure.