Financial assistance available to businesses and individuals - Dec. 10, 2007

07-094

Media contacts: Bill Tarrow, 360-902-9376
Hilary Young, 360-902-9454

OLYMPIA - The Employment Security Department has an array of benefits and programs available to assist people and business affected economically by last week’s storms.

Unemployment benefits – Regular unemployment benefits are available for workers who lost their jobs due to the storms and who meet the usual eligibility requirements. 

In addition, the President’s disaster declaration for Gray’s Harbor and Lewis counties expanded eligibility for unemployment benefits in those counties. The expanded eligibility means that benefits may be approved for self-employed individuals, for employees who can’t get to work because they were injured because of the storm, and for other workers who do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits.

Individuals may apply for unemployment benefits online at go2ui.com or over the phone at 800-318-6022.  Business owners seeking disaster unemployment benefits should call 877-416-7274 (toll free).

Anyone who does not have access to a phone or computer may receive assistance at their nearest WorkSource office (see locations below).

WorkSource services - WorkSource staff can assist with applications for unemployment benefits, help people find jobs and help businesses hire workers. 

As a special service, WorkSource offices in the affected counties and in Kelso (Cowlitz County) are posting temporary jobs to help with storm cleanup. Businesses that want to hire temporary cleanup help, or people who want a temporary job assisting with the cleanup, should contact their WorkSource office.

Locations of WorkSource offices in storm-damaged counties - open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Grays Harbor County
511 W. Heron, Aberdeen
Phone: 360-533-9318
TTY: 360-533-9714

Kitsap County
1211 Bay Street, Port Orchard
Phone: 360-473-2159

Lewis County – two locations
Primary location - Lewis County Mall
151 N.E. Hampe Way, Chehalis
Phone: 360-748-2360
TTY: 360-740-6889

Temporary location - Centralia College, Washington Hall
(Corner of Washington Avenue and Walnut Street)
600 Centralia College Blvd., Centralia
Phone: 360-628-0597

Mason County
2505 Olympic Hwy. N., Suite 420, Shelton
Phone: 360-427-2174
Fax: 360-427-2088
TTY: 360-427-2249

Pacific County – two locations
Grays Harbor College
Riverview Education Center
307 E. Robert Bush Drive, South Bend
360-875-9470

2601 North Pacific Hwy, Long Beach
Phone: 360-642-6213

Thurston County
1570 Irving St. S.W., Tumwater
Phone: 360-704-3600
Fax: 360-704-6444
TTY: 360-570-4253

Business payroll assistance – Employers whose business has dropped off and cannot maintain a full work force may qualify for the Shared-Work Program.  This program allows employers to reduce their employees’ hours, and eligible employees may receive unemployment benefits to make up part of the difference.  The goal is to help employers maintain their skilled work force until their business picks up again, while also ensuring that employees continue to receive an income. Interested employers may learn more about the program and download the application form at www.Sharedwork.go2ui.com.

Web Links
Apply for unemployment benefits; information about disaster benefits and Shared-Work Program

Look for or post job; list of all WorkSource offices in Washington