Extended Benefits
Eligibility
What are extended benefits?Extended benefits are additional benefits that are available during periods of high unemployment in the state.
These benefits are different than the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits. Learn more about EUC benefits.
When did Extended Benefits program start?
We began paying extended benefits the week of February 15-21, 2009.
When will it end?
Under current federal law, we expect the program will end in our state in late March 2012. The federal Department of Labor will give us specific instructions by early March. Monitor the "Alert" box on our homepage for updates.
Is Congress planning to continue extended benefits beyond March 2012?
On December 23, 2011, Congress approved a two-month extension that will make extended benefits available in our state until late March. If Congress continues the program beyond that date, we will revise this FAQ and post new information in the "Alert" section of our homepage for updates.
Do I qualify for extended benefits?
You are potentially eligible if:
- Your last claim was in Washington; and
- You are not eligible for a regular claim in any state (including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the District of Columbia) or Canada; and
- Your benefit year ends on or after February 21, 2009; and
- You are not eligible for any other claim with this or any other state.
Application
How do I apply for extended benefits?We will mail you a paper application. If you do not receive it by the time your regular or EUC benefits run out, you can get one from your local WorkSource office or call the EUC/EB Unit at 877-558-8509.
Return your completed extended-benefits application to:
ESD
Attn: EUC/EB Unit
P.O. Box 9046
Olympia, WA 98507-9046
You cannot apply for extended benefits using the Internet. We cannot accept faxed applications at this time.
NOTE: Your application may be returned if it is incomplete. This may delay the processing of your application and payments to you.
When do I apply for extended benefits?
You can apply once we send you an application. If you do not receive an application by the time your regular or EUC benefits run out, you can get one from your local WorkSource office or call the EUC/EB Unit at 877-558-8509.
We cannot set up your extended benefits until you run out of your regular or EUC benefits or your benefit year ends.
I have a Washington claim but live in another state. Do I qualify for extended benefits?
If the state where you live is not in an extended-benefits period, you are eligible for only two weeks of extended benefits.
Filing your weekly claims
After I’m approved, how and when do I file my weekly claims for extended benefits?Use the same system you did for regular and EUC benefits: Internet or call the weekly claims line.
Benefits
How quickly do I get a check?If you qualify, we will start paying your benefits as soon as your application is approved. Continue to file your weekly claims while you are waiting to hear if you qualify. If you do qualify, we will pay you for the weeks you claim.
How much will I get each week on extended benefits?
Your weekly extended-benefits amount is the same as your regular weekly benefit amount. The maximum benefits payable is the lesser of:
- 20 times your average weekly benefit amount; or
- 80 percent of the maximum regular benefits payable.
We will send you a “Statement of Wages and Hours” after we set up your EB. It will tell you how much you are potentially eligible to receive on extended benefits.
I applied for extended benefits and received a Statement of Wages and Hours in the mail saying I am not eligible. Why don’t I qualify? And if I disagree, what can I do?
You may receive a Statement of Wages and Hours saying you are not eligible for various reasons. The reasons may include:
- Your benefit year (the one year period beginning with the week you filed your initial application for benefits) ended before the extended benefits started; or
- The total wages on your original claim are less than 40 times your Weekly Benefit Amount; or
- The total wages on your original claim are less than one and one-half times your high-quarter base-year earnings; or
- You qualify for a regular unemployment claim in Washington or another state; or
- Your last claim was not a Washington claim.
You can file an appeal if you disagree. An appeal is a written disagreement with our decision. Send your written appeal to:
EUC/EB Unit
P.O. Box 9046
Olympia, WA 98507-9046
The appeal hearing is scheduled by the Office of Administrative Hearings, a separate agency. See Your Right to Appeal for more information.
How long can I get extended benefits?
You will receive these benefits until:
- Your extended benefits run out; or
- The program ends in Washington state.
NOTE: If you live in another state, you may receive only two weeks of extended benefits.
The program ending is based on the unemployment rate in Washington compared with prior years. The program lasts a minimum of 13 weeks. Once we “trigger” off, we must remain off for a minimum of 13 weeks.
The federal Department of Labor will notify Washington when extended benefits will end. After that date, we cannot pay any more extended benefits, even if you still have a balance available. We will send you a letter explaining the reason extended benefits are ending, the date they end, and the last payable week.
Job-Search Requirements
What are the job-search requirements while I am receiving extended benefits?Job-search requirements on extended benefits are more stringent than regular benefits. You must make at least four job-search contacts per week seeking suitable work and record your contacts on your Job-Search Log. You may be called into a local WorkSource office to have your job search verified.
NOTE: In-person job-search activities at WorkSource do not count as your four job-search contacts. You must make four job-search contacts each week to qualify for extended benefits.
Each week, you must record your job-search contacts. If you claim by phone, you must leave a voice recording of your contacts each week. You will have two minutes to leave the recording, so have your job-search logs with you when you claim. If you claim online, you must type in your contacts each week.
NOTE: If you fail to meet the job-search requirements, we will deny extended benefits beginning with the week you failed to meet the job-search requirement and until you work in at least four weeks and earn four times your weekly benefit amount.
NOTE: If you are making satisfactory progress in Commissioner Approved Training (CAT), Training Benefits (TB) or the Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), you do not have to meet the job-search requirements.
If I am sick, on vacation, or do not look for work for a week or longer, what should I do?
You should not claim benefits if you are not conducting an active job search.
If you do claim a week of extended benefits in which you do not meet the more-stringent job-search requirements, we will deny extended benefits for that week and until you work in at least four weeks and earn four times your weekly benefit amount.
If you choose not to claim a week because you did not meet the job-search requirements, you must call your claims center during the first week you want to claim again and reopen your claim.
What is suitable work while receiving extended benefits?
Suitable work while on extended benefits is defined in state and federal law as any work that you are capable of doing that pays at least the minimum wage ($9.04 an hour in Washington beginning in January 2012) where you live (the minimum wage may be different if you live in another state; the federal minimum is $7.25 an hour, beginning January 2009) or the equivalent of your unemployment weekly benefit amount, whichever is more.
You do not have to accept work if the job is vacant due to a labor dispute, the working conditions are less favorable than similar work in your labor market, or you are required to join or resign from a union.
If you fail to accept suitable work while claiming extended benefits, we will deny your benefits beginning with the week of the refusal and until you work in at least four weeks and earn four times your weekly benefit amount. By law, we also can deny you benefits for refusing work while drawing any type of benefits. This denial lasts for seven weeks and until you return to work and earn seven times your weekly benefit amount.
I am on standby with my employer. Do I have to look for other work to receive extended benefits?
There is no standby on extended benefits. Claimants receiving extended benefits must actively look for work.
I get my jobs through my union. Do I have to look for other work to receive extended benefits?
Yes. If you normally get your jobs through your union you are still required to look for other suitable work that will not jeopardize your union status. We notified your union of this requirement.Your union counts as one job contact — you must make at least three other job search contacts in any week you claim extended benefits and record your contacts on your Job Search Log.
If you are a long-shore worker who normally works for the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), you also must make at least three other job-search contacts in any week you claim extended benefits and record your contacts on your Job Search Log.
Miscellaneous
I am receiving Training Benefits. Should I apply for extended benefits?Yes. We must pay extended benefits before Training Benefits. If you are receiving Training Benefits and have not already applied for or received extended benefits you should apply. We will review your application and make a decision about the status of your payments..
Can I continue to receive my Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA) during an extended-benefits period?
No. We must pay extended benefits before TRA. We will mail an application packet to you if it appears you may qualify for extended benefits. We will review your application and make a decision about the status of your payments.
What happens if extended benefits end and I still have money available?
The federal Department of Labor will notify Washington when the extended benefits must end. After that date, we cannot pay any more extended benefits, even if you still have a balance available. We will send you a letter explaining the reason the program is ending, the date it ends, and the last payable week.
Am I eligible for extended benefits if I had a denial on my claim while receiving regular or EUC benefits?
If you had a prior denial on your claim for benefits, the denial remains in effect until you meet the requalification requirements.
I’m an employer. How do extended benefits affect my experience rating and benefit charges?
You may be responsible for some or all of the benefit charges only if you are a "reimbursable" employer (these are mostly government and some non-profit employers). You may call the Experience Rating unit at 360-902-9670. If you are not a reimbursable employer, you will not be responsible for any benefit charges.
