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Self-Employment Assistance Program

The Self-Employment Assistance Program allows unemployed workers to receive unemployment benefits while they train to become self-employed. If you are approved to participate in the program, you do not have to look for work while you are enrolled in training.  Training is provided by local organizations, schools or colleges, and may not be available in every community.

The Self-Employment Assistance Program does not pay for books, tuition or school-related fees and it does not extend the number of weeks that you can collect unemployment benefits. Therefore, you are responsible for any financial planning needed to complete the training program.

After completing your program, you may not directly compete with your last employer or set up your business in the same area for up to one year.

Eligiblity requirements

To be eligible for the Self-Employment Assistance Program, you must:

  • Be eligible for regular unemployment benefits.
  • Be identified as likely to run out of regular unemployment benefits before you find a new job.
  • Be enrolled in a training program that is approved by the Commissioner.


Approved training programs

All approved self-employment training programs include:

  • Entrepreneurial training.
  • Business counseling.
  • Technical assistance.
  • Requirements to engage in activities relating to setting up a business and becoming self-employed.


Application process

We will send you an eligibility letter if you are eligible to apply for the Self-Employment Assistance Program. After you receive the letter:

  1. Download and complete the Self-Employment Assistance Program Application or pick one up at your local WorkSource office.
  2. Contact an eligible training provider to see if you are eligible for their program. Some providers have income or other requirements that you must meet to participate in their training program. Some training programs are available to only low income applicants. Check the training provider Web site - links are on the eligible training provider list - to review their specific eligibility requirements.
  3. Have the training provider complete and sign the Program Provider Certification section on the application.
Mail your completed application to:

CAT/Training Benefits Unit
King County TeleCenter
P.O. Box 47076
Seattle, WA 98146-7076



Your unemployment benefits

To maintain your eligibility for unemployment benefits while in training, you must:

  • Be enrolled in a full-time training program.
  • Make satisfactory progress in the program.
  • Notify the department if you discontinue training, suspend training or reduce enrollment to less than full-time.
If you do not meet these requirements, you may be required to look for work and meet other job-search requirements, such as participating in job-search workshops, in order to collect benefits. You also may be required to pay back benefits you have received.

Relevant laws and rules

Self-employment training -- RCW 50.20.250
Self-Employment Assistance Program -- WAC 192-200-040
        Approval of plan -- 192-200-050
        Factors affecting eligibility -- 192-200-055
        Failure to participate -- 192-200-060
        Likely to exhaust benefits -- 192-200-040
        Training programs -- 192-200-045
Defining satisfactory progress -- WAC 192-270-065
Requirement to be available for work -- RCW 50.20.010(1)(c)
Job-search requirements -- RCW 50.20.240
Requirements to accept suitable work -- RCW 50.20.080