In March 2020, in response to the rapidly growing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Inslee waived the one-week waiting period for individuals applying for unemployment benefits. Additionally, the CARES Act, passed by Congress in response to the pandemic, provides federal funding for benefits paid during the first week of an unemployment claim from April through December 2020.

As a result, the Employment Security Department (ESD) filed emergency rules clarifying that an employer will not be charged for the first week of benefits while the Governor has waived the waiting week requirement. The emergency rule clarification applies to both taxable and reimbursable employers.

Find more employer information on WSDA’s COVID-19 Business Impacts page.