COVID-19 Unemployment Account Rule

September 8, 2020

In the 2020 session, the Legislature passed Engrossed House Bill 2965 which provided support for Washington employers and employees in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The bill created the COVID-19 Unemployment Account and appropriated $25 million to help reduce the increased tax burdens for employers affected by COVID-19. The Employment Security Department (ESD) has now filed rules to define how employers can qualify for assistance from the COVID-19 Unemployment Account. Supporting documents for the final rule are available on the ESD’s rulemaking page.

All applications must be received by Sept. 30, 2020, to be eligible. Instructions for applying for the offset can be found here »

For more information on all of the rulemaking activities, please visit ESD’s agency rulemaking homepage.