Unemployment: Should you face the difficult decision to temporarily lay-off employees, please know that given the current public health crisis and the temporary shutdown of non-essential businesses across our state, access to unemployment benefits has been increased to help relieve the burden of temporary lay-offs for workers and businesses.
- Employees who are laid off work as a result of the governor’s Stay-at-Home order issued on March 23 are eligible for unemployment benefits.
- When an employee applies for benefits, they should select “laid off” as the reason for separating from an employer. Choose "Company temporarily closed" from the secondary options.
- This does not apply to employees who are considered essential critical infrastructure workers, as outlined by the governor.
- As new information emerges, this is subject to change.
- Work search requirements are optional for all claimants until further notice.
- Employees can request standby status for up to 12 weeks.
- The one-week waiting period to be eligible for unemployment benefits is waived.
Visit the Washington State Employment Security Department
here for more information or to apply for benefits.
Paid Family and Medical Leave:
If an employee is sick with COVID-19, as with any other illness, a healthcare provider must certify that they are unable to work in order to qualify for
Paid Family and Medical Leave.
Quarantine (and school closures) are not qualifying events under this program.
