Washington Unemployment Extension
There’s good news for those individuals that are unemployed in Washington and that have exhausted their unemployment benefits; a Washington unemployment extension is available. In a press release dated June 30, 2008, Joyce G Fogg from the Washington Employment Commission announced that President George Bush had signed into law the H.R. 2642, which gives eligible unemployed workers thirteen more weeks of emergency unemployment benefits; the emergency compensation started on July 6, 2008. The Washington unemployment extension is offered as a way for the unemployed to continue to meet financial obligations while they seek work.
A second press release issued in February of 2009 also announced that additional funding is being supplied to the state via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The stimulus funds supplied to the state are now being used to offer the unemployed that are receiving benefits an additional $25 each week beginning February 28. Additional Washington unemployment extension funds were also supplied which allows the Washington Employment Commission to supply additional emergency compensation funds to those that are eligible. The ESD contacts eligible individuals by mail to let them know of their eligibility for a Washington unemployment extension.
If applying for Washington unemployment compensation for the first time, or for those individuals that would like to reopen a claim, unemployment claims can be processed electronically at:
http://www.esd.wa.gov/uibenefits/index.php
Claimants can also use the phone service supplied by the Washington Unemployment Commission