Our main lines of business
Employment Security provides a financial safety net through unemployment benefits or paid family and medical leave. We also provide the latest labor market information. Along with state and community partners, we help people find jobs and employers find workers through WorkSource.
Unemployment Insurance
Provides weekly payments to people who are out of work through no fault of their own. They can receive payments while they look for work or attend approved training. Unemployment benefits are funded by taxes employers pay to the unemployment insurance trust fund. Employment Security administers the trust fund.
Learn more about unemployment benefits.
Paid Family & Medical Leave (Paid Leave)
Provides paid time off for people to care for themselves or someone with a serious medical condition, or to bond with a new child. Benefits are funded by premiums paid by employers and employees. Employment Security administers the Paid Leave fund.
Visit the Paid Leave website to learn more.
Workforce services
See the “WorkSource programs” section on this page.
WA Cares
Beginning July 2026, anyone eligible to receive the full WA Cares Fund benefit can access long-term care services up to $36,500. Several state agencies administer the program. The Employment Security Department’s role is processing exemptions and collecting premiums.
Visit the WA Cares Fund website to learn more.
Labor market information
In partnership with the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the labor market information team provides mandated and optional labor market statistics and economic analyses. We provide these services for the WorkSource system and the public.
Read more about labor market information.
Programs that pay unemployment benefits while claimants train for a new job
Commissioner-Approved Training (CAT)
Allows eligible claimants to collect unemployment benefits while attending full-time training. If approved, unemployment claimants do not need to look for work while receiving benefits.
Training Benefits program
Open to dislocated workers, workers earning less than 130% of the state minimum wage in their base year, people with disabilities, and National Guard or military members. Training Benefits extends unemployment benefits while claimants train for a new career. If approved, claimants do not need to look for work while receiving benefits.
Read more about Training Benefits.
Self-Employment Assistance program
Eligible claimants receive self-employment business training while collecting unemployment benefits. If approved, claimants do not need to look for work while receiving benefits.
Read more about the Self-Employment Assistance program.
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA)
TAA provides training and income support for workers affected by foreign trade. Gives opportunities to obtain skills, credentials, resources and support.
TRA gives income support to TAA-eligible workers who have used up their unemployment benefits.
Learn about services available under both TAA and TRA.
Unemployment benefits in special circumstances
Standby
Standby allows workers to receive unemployment benefits if they are laid off temporarily or are partially unemployed. Workers on standby do not need to look for work while receiving benefits. Both claimants and employers can request standby. Employment Security approves or denies all standby requests.
Read more about standby on the layoffs and furloughs page.
Extended Benefits program (EB)
A benefit program that becomes available only when the state unemployment rate is high. It is for claimants who have used up all other available unemployment benefits and do not qualify for a new claim in Washington or any other state. The U.S. Department of Labor tells states when EB is available.
Claimants eligible for EB have job search requirements stricter than those receiving regular unemployment benefits.
When EB is available, Employment Security will post information on the basic eligibility requirements page.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
A federal program that provides financial help to those who are unemployed as a direct result of a major disaster, such as a flood or wildfire. The U.S. president declares when DUA is available after receiving a request from a state or Tribal governor or chief.
When it becomes available, Employment Security will post information on the DUA webpage.
WorkSource programs
The Employment Security Department is a major partner in Washington’s One-Stop system, called WorkSource. WorkSource is a statewide partnership of state, local and nonprofit organizations that provide an array of employment and training services to job seekers and employers in Washington. Customers access services through a network of more than 60 WorkSource offices, and through WorkSourceWA.com. Full-service WorkSource offices operate throughout the state. Other offices offer fewer services. Learn more on the WorkSource website.
Read more about the One-Stop system on the U.S. Department of Labor website.
The following summaries explain services available in many WorkSource locations.
Adult program
Provides eligible adults 18 years and older a range of career, training and job placement help. The purpose of the adult program is to help participants keep a job, and increase their earnings and occupational skills. Priority goes to those on public assistance, other low-income people, veterans, and those needing training in basic skills.
The adult program is part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I-B.
Dislocated worker program
Provides employment and training help to those who either:
- Have been laid off and are not likely to return to their usual job or industry.
- Were self-employed, but the economy or a natural disaster put them out of work.
- Are a unemployed or underemployed displaced homemaker.
The dislocated worker program is part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I-B.
Youth program
Helps disadvantaged youths between 14 and 24 who need help to complete their education, or to get or keep a job.
The youth program is part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I-B.
Basic Food Employment & Training (BFET)
Provides employment, training and support to people receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Employment Security Department contracts with the state Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to provide BFET program services at several locations throughout Washington.
Read more about BFET on the DSHS website.
Rapid Response
When a business plans a mass layoff or closure, they often notify the state through a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice. This notice triggers a local Rapid Response unit to reach out to the affected workers and employer. This regional team shares information about unemployment benefits, the dislocated worker program, and WorkSource training and reemployment services.
Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments (RESEA)
A mandatory program for some unemployment claimants, including those most likely to run out of benefits. The goal of this program is help them return to suitable work as quickly as possible. It also helps Employment Security reduce improper payments and protect the integrity of the Unemployment Insurance program.
Veterans & Military Families program
Provides guidance to WorkSource administrators and staff working directly with military veterans — including disabled veterans. Program staff also:
- Collaborate with community service providers to connect veterans to jobs and services.
- Manage funding for the federal Jobs for Veterans State Grant.
Go to the WorkSource website to learn more.
Worker retraining
WorkSource can connect unemployed job seekers to training offered by local community and technical colleges. Workers can train for a new career or improve their current skills.
Read more on the WorkSource website.
WorkFirst
Washington’s program to help people receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). WorkFirst is a collaborative effort with families, WorkFirst case managers, and local community and partner agencies. Together they help parents build job and life skills. The goal for WorkFirst participants is financial and family stability.
Read more on the WorkFirst website.
Programs for farmworkers
Migrant Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFW)
Specialized staff in WorkSource offices help agricultural employers find skilled and qualified workers. They help agricultural workers connect with jobs and community resources through outreach and bilingual support.
Foreign Labor Certification, also known as the H-2A program
H-2A gives agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers. The program gives them a legal way to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. temporarily or seasonally.
Read about the H2-A program on the U.S. Department of Labor website.
Programs for employers
SharedWork
A voluntary business sustainability program that provides flexibility to retain employees at reduced hours. Employers must apply to participate in the program. It allows them to reduce employee hours up to 50% instead of laying them off. The employees collect partial unemployment benefits to replace a portion of their lost wages.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
A federal program that gives employers tax breaks for hiring people who may struggle to find a job. These categories of workers are veterans, those who are unemployed long term, people with disabilities, those receiving public assistance, and those convicted of a felony.
Federal Bonding program
Gives bonds to employers who hire at-risk workers, such as people who are or have been:
- Involved with the justice system.
- Recovering from drug or alcohol abuse.
- Receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
- In debt with poor credit.
- Economically disadvantaged.
- Dishonorably discharged from the military.
Read more about the Federal Bonding program.
Rapid Response
See the Rapid Response section under the “WorkSource” section on this page.
Voluntary Contribution program
Allows eligible employers to reduce their unemployment tax rate by reimbursing the unemployment trust fund. The program does not benefit every employer. If employers are eligible and can benefit, Employment Security sends them an application.
Read more about the Voluntary Contribution program.
Partner programs
Washington Service Corps
The Washington Service Corps (WSC) is an AmeriCorps national service program. The federal government suspended the program in April 2025. A lawsuit filed by a coalition of states is pending.
When the program is operational, it places members every year in the WSC and its sister program: the Washington Reading Corps. Members serve with nonprofits, government offices, schools and faith-based organizations statewide.
The Employment Security Department administers both programs.
Read more about the Washington Service Corps.
Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment (GCDE)
Promotes equality, opportunity, independence and full participation in life for people with disabilities. The GCDE achieves its mission through advocacy, legislative support, recognition of employers demonstrating leadership, and more.
Members are appointed by the governor. Employment Security provides administrative support.