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Can your benefits be extended?

Congress and the President approved emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) that can provide up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment benefits to those who qualify. This program, which ends on March 28, 2009, is different from other extended-benefits programs.

We mailed paper EUC applications to potentially eligible claimants. If you did not receive an application, see the process below for how to apply. Please do not call the TeleCenter.

Recorded information about EUC is available by calling 877-558-8509.

If you already applied

Check on status of your emergency unemployment compensation.

Eligibility

What is emergency unemployment compensation (EUC)?

EUC is a federal emergency extension that can provide up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment benefits. The first payable week is the week of July 6-12, 2008.

Federally funded EUC provides up to 13 times the weekly benefit amount (WBA) to eligible claimants in all states. The EUC maximum benefits payable is the lesser of:

13 times the WBA; or
50 percent of the regular maximum benefits payable (MBP).

50 percent of the regular MBP may result in less than 13 weeks (or 13 times the WBA) of benefits.
The Statement of Wages and Hours tells you the amount of your EUC entitlement.

Do I qualify for EUC?

You qualify for Washington EUC if:

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 last claim was in Washington; and
That claim began on or after May 7, 2006; and
The benefit year on the claim has ended or it has no balance left to pay out; and
The wages used to set up that claim are:

o 40 times your weekly benefit amount, or
o 1.5 times the highest quarter of earnings in your base year.

Application

How do I apply for emergency unemployment compensation?

We mailed paper EUC applications to potentially eligible claimants. If you do not receive an application, you can get one from your local WorkSource office or download an application online.

To apply for EUC, you must:

Access and print a copy of the EUC application
Complete the EUC application and mail it to:

ESD
Attn: EUC Unit
P.O. Box 9046
Olympia, WA 98507-9046

You cannot apply for EUC using the Internet. We cannot accept faxed applications at this time.

When do I apply for EUC?

You can apply when:

Your balance of regular benefits is zero; or
Your benefit year has ended.

We cannot set up your EUC benefits until you exhaust your regular benefits or your benefit year has ended.

What is the deadline for applying for EUC benefits?

We can accept applications for EUC only up to March 28, 2009.

I have been approved for training benefits. Do I need to apply for EUC?

Yes. We are required to pay you EUC before training benefits. If you do not apply for EUC, your benefits may be delayed or denied.

If you have been approved for training benefits but you are still receiving regular benefits, you will need to apply for EUC when your regular benefits end.

If you are currently receiving training benefits, you must complete an EUC application. If you are not eligible for EUC because you qualify for a new claim, you will have the option of filing the new claim or continue drawing training benefits.

I have a Washington claim but I live in another state. Do I qualify for EUC?

You are potentially eligible for EUC because it is a national program.

I received a Statement of Wages and Hours in the mail and it states that I am not eligible. Why don’t I qualify? And if I disagree, what can I do?

The reasons you don’t qualify may include:

You originally applied for unemployment benefits before May 7, 2006, which is before the EUC eligibility period 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 1.5 times your high-quarter base-year earnings; or
You qualify for a regular unemployment claim in Washington or another state.

If you disagree with the Statement of Wages and Hours, you can ask for a redetermination. To request a redetermination, call the TeleCenter and select Option 7 to speak to an agent. But, if it is still determined you are not eligible, we will send you another statement that you can appeal.

We will consider any information you provide.

An appeal is a written letter of disagreement with our decision. Send your appeal to:

EUC 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.

Benefits

How quickly will I receive a benefit check?

If you qualify, your benefits will begin as soon as we can approve your application. It may be several weeks after your application is received before you receive your first check.

How much money will I receive?

Your weekly EUC amount will be the same as you received for your regular unemployment claim.

We will mail you a “statement of wages and hours” after your EUC claim is set up. It will tell you how much you are potentially eligible to receive on EUC.

Job-Search Activities

Do I document my job-search activities while I'm waiting to see if my application is approved?

Yes. Even though applications have not been sent out yet, potential claimants should start documenting at least three job-search activities each week in order to be eligible to receive benefits starting July 6, 2008, or later. It will take several weeks for the first checks to be processed and issued.

What are the job-search requirements while I am getting EUC?

The same as for regular benefits:

You must make at least three employer contacts during each week claimed, or
Participate in three approved in-person job-search activities at your local WorkSource Office, or
Make a combination of employer contacts and in-person job-search activities, for a total of three.

You must record your job-search activities on your job-search log. You may be called into a local WorkSource office to have your job search verified.

For those who previously were approved for Commissioner-Approved Training (CAT) or the Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), you do not have to meet the job-search requirements if you are making satisfactory progress in your schooling program.

Note: In order to receive benefits beginning the week of July 6-12, 2008, you must complete at least three job-search activities that week. While you won’t be able to submit an application until later in July, you’ll be able to receive benefits retroactively.

I get my work through my union. Do I have to look for other work outside of the union to receive EUC?

No. If you are in good standing with a referral union that participates in our program and you meet the union’s dispatch requirements, you satisfy the work-search requirement for EUC. We will verify your status with your union.

If I am on standby with my employer, do I have to look for other work while on EUC?

If we have approved you for standby you satisfy the job-search requirement. If you do not return to work when your standby ends, you must start meeting the job-search requirements above. We will approve no more than eight weeks of standby in your benefit year. If you have not returned to work with your employer after eight weeks, you must comply with the job-search requirements described above, and report for all scheduled WorkSource appointments.

Filing

After I am approved, how and when do I file my weekly claims for EUC?

File your approved weekly claims for EUC the same as for regular benefits: use the Internet or call the weekly claims line.

Note: if you receive paper claim form(s) with your application, complete them and following the instructions included on each form.

Miscellaneous

Can I continue to receive Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA) instead of EUC?

No. You must draw EUC before TRA. We will mail an application packet to you if it appears you may qualify for EUC. We will review your application and make a decision about the status of your payment.

What happens if EUC ends and I still have money available?

Federal law says we cannot pay EUC benefits after July 4, 2009.

Am I eligible for EUC if I had a denial on my claim while receiving regular benefits?

If you had a prior denial on your claim for benefits the denial remains in effect until you meet the re-qualification requirements.

I’m an employer. How does EUC affect my experience rating and benefit charges?

EUC will not affect your experience rating or benefit charges. It is 100 percent federally funded. You will not receive a “Notice to Base Year Employer” (EMS 166). If you are a reimbursable employer, you will not be billed.

Questions

If your question was not answered here, you can e-mail the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Unit.