Groundbreaking UI Navigators program receives $1 million to continue helping underserved communities

Released on

Name
Chris Barron, Communications Director
Email
media@esd.wa.gov

OLYMPIA – In the past 16 months, community organizations have helped more than 7,000 people in underserved communities better understand the unemployment benefits they had available.

Thanks to $1 million from the state Legislature, the Employment Security Department’s groundbreaking Unemployment Insurance (UI) Navigator program will continue for another year.

The UI Navigator program connects Employment Security staff to community organizations to remove or lower barriers to unemployment benefits in local communities. Employment Security staff work closely with the organizations to ensure benefits are available and accessible to all qualified workers.

“We’re thrilled that the Legislature recognized how valuable the UI Navigator program has been in these underserved communities,” Employment Security Commissioner Cami Feek said. “Over the next year, these community organizations and our staff have an opportunity to continue their momentum making big impact for Washington workers and their families.”

Since the UI Navigator program debuted in January 2024, nine community organizations, called Navigators, have helped people in 58 counties and 288 cities or towns.

At least 40 different languages were spoken among customers the UI Navigators helped. The Navigators have assisted more than 300 veterans and 145 people who identified as having a disability.

Navigators include:

  • Chinese Information and Service Center.
  • Drivers Union.
  • Korean Community Service Center.
  • La Oficina LLC.
  • Native Action Network.
  • Neighborhood House.
  • People for People.
  • TRAC Associates.
  • Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

A $2.1 million U.S. Department of Labor grant originally paid for the program. Organizations applied for funding from Employment Security.

After the federal grant ended in May 2025, the state Legislature announced it would fund the program for another year, effective July 1, 2025.

The funding extended contracts with the UI Navigators so they could continue services and provide outreach to their communities.

Learn more about the UI Navigators on Employment Security’s website.