Featured news
Posted on Jan. 28, 2026
The Employment Security Department was awarded a $1 million disaster recovery grant from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) to help workers living in Washington who were affected by December’s severe weather and record flooding.
Posted on Jan. 21, 2026
Washington’s economy increased by an estimated 9,000 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in December 2025, and the monthly unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.7% from 4.6% in November.
Learn about Paid Family & Medical Leave
In Washington state, the Paid Family & Medical Leave (Paid Leave) program provides eligible workers with the opportunity to take paid time off for various family and personal medical reasons. This includes bonding with a new child, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, or spend time with a family member preparing for military service overseas. Read more about the paid leave program.
Check out the updated unemployed worker's handbook
This guide to applying for benefits is now available in many languages.