Application process for expanded unemployment benefits available Saturday

Those who had their employment interrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to start applying for expanded unemployment benefits on April 18, according to information provided by the state Employment Security Department during a webinar hosted by the Grant County Economic Development Council on Thursday.

Displaced workers are encouraged to complete a four-step process to receive the benefits:

• Sign up for COVID-19 action alerts, found at http://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/covid-19, which distribute instructions and updates on the application process.

• Download the eligibility checker, which helps determine what benefits are available and when to apply; that can be found at esd.wa.gov/unemployment.

• Download the application checklist from https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment.

• Watch a video that can be seen at esd.wa.gov/unemployment/technical-support to help set up an account.

A weekly benefits calculator is also available at http://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/calculate-your-benefit.

The federal CARES Act expands benefits to those affected by COVID-19 who otherwise would not be eligible, like independent contractors and the self-employed. Those kinds of workers will need to provide wage documentation for the past year; specific instructions can be found at esd.wa.gov.

ESD suggests readying any 2019 tax filing documents, 1099 forms and other formal tax documentation to speed up the verification process.

The ESD has expanded its website instructions and Q&A section and increased its bandwidth and server capacity. It increased staffing levels for customer service to 500 this week and will reach 1,000 next week,

According to the presentation, the ESD will first gauge regular eligibility and then, if not eligible, invite workers to apply for expanded benefits.

The Employment Security Department can be reached by phone at 360-902-9500.