WHAT SHOULD WASHINGTON WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS KNOW?
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT...
VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
Washington COVID-19 vaccine distribution hits 500,000 total doses administered.
Gov. Jay Inslee recently announced progress toward the state’s goal of administering 45,000 vaccine doses a day. As of Monday, Jan. 25, the state’s current seven-day rolling average was 23,960 doses administered.
The governor also announced a record number of COVID-19 vaccines administered in a 24-hour period, with around 40,000 doses reported as of Monday, Jan. 25. Washington also officially passed 500,000 vaccine doses administered and reported.
You can read more on vaccine distribution on the governor's Medium page.
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT...
THE 2021 WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Legislature working on early action bill with funding for new round of Working Washington grants
The state Legislature is currently developing an early action bill that, as currently drafted, would include $240 million for a new round of Working Washington business grants. As with earlier rounds of Working Washington grants, the state Department of Commerce would continue to administer the program. More details will be available once legislators finalize the proposal, which will require approval by the state House and Senate.
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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT...
RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Paycheck Protection Program resumed.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SB), in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for First Draw PPP Loans the week of Jan. 11. SBA began accepting applications for Second Draw PPP Loans on Jan. 13.
At least $25 billion is being set aside for Second Draw PPP Loans to eligible borrowers with a maximum of 10 employees or for loans of $250,000 or less to eligible borrowers in low or moderate income neighborhoods.
You can find more information regarding application requirements and technical guidance on the Washington State Department of Commerce’s website and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s COVID-19 business relief page.
Requirements and resources webinar in 2021
The first 2021 webinar from several members of the Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT) is on Jan. 28. Click here to preview the agenda and register online for the English Small Business Requirements and Resources (SBRR) webinar on Jan. 28 at 9 a.m. Click to preview the agenda and register online for the Spanish SBRR webinar on Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. or call 360-515-6101.
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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT...
UNEMPLOYMENT
Job search requirements continue to be suspended.
The Washington State House of Representatives and Senate voted to continue the suspension of job search requirements until the Pandemic State of Emergency is withdrawn by the governor or legislative action, whichever is first. This means that individuals filing unemployment insurance claims can continue to answer “no” to the job search question on their weekly claim until the suspension is lifted. Washington's Employment Security Department is committed to helping you understand the requirements before an individual needs to report job searches with their weekly claim. Learn more on the job search requirements page.
Extended Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payments
The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program adds an additional $300 each week for up to 11 weeks for those filing for unemployment. If you chose to have federal tax withheld, your payment will be lower. It may take 2-3 business days for the bank to process these funds and add them in a recipient account. To see this payment in eServices: Choose your active claim; Choose “Weeks summary” from the menu; Click on the amount paid under “Benefits paid” column; and Look for “Federal or state stimulus” in the payment summary for each week you have been paid since Jan. 2. See COVID-19 frequently asked questions for more information.
More weeks available for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).
Under the recent CARES Act extensions, an additional 11 weeks of Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits were made available for eligible unemployment claimants. The law around the additional PEUC benefits is very complex and the Employment Security Department needs more guidance from the federal government before fully implementing the additional weeks. The most important thing is continue submitting weekly claims. If eligible, back payments for each week will be issued. There is guidance for PEUC and Extended Benefits (EB) claimants on ESD’s website, please check back regularly.
