The employment security department shall periodically bring together representatives of the workforce training and education coordinating board, workforce development councils, the state board for community and technical colleges, business, labor, and the legislature to review development and implementation of chapter 566, Laws of 2009 and related programs under this chapter.
[ 2009 c 566 § 7; ]
As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Extended benefit period" means a period which:
Begins with the third week after a week for which there is an "on" indicator; and
Except as provided in section 1 of this act, ends with the third week after the first week for which there is an "off" indicator: PROVIDED, That no extended benefit period shall last for a period of less than thirteen consecutive weeks, and further that no extended benefit period may begin by reason of an "on" indicator before the fourteenth week after the close of a prior extended benefit period which was in effect with respect to this state.
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There is an "on" indicator for this state for a week if the commissioner determines, in accordance with the regulations of the United States secretary of labor, that for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding twelve weeks:
The rate of insured unemployment, not seasonally adjusted, equaled or exceeded one hundred twenty percent of the average of such rates for the corresponding thirteen-week period ending in each of the preceding two calendar years and equaled or exceeded five percent; or
For benefits for weeks of unemployment beginning after March 6, 1993:
(A) The average rate of total unemployment, seasonally adjusted, as determined by the United States secretary of labor, for the period consisting of the most recent three months for which data for all states are published before the close of the week equals or exceeds six and one-half percent; and
(B) The average rate of total unemployment in the state, seasonally adjusted, as determined by the United States secretary of labor, for the three-month period referred to in (a)(ii)(A) of this subsection, equals or exceeds one hundred ten percent of the average for either or both of the corresponding three-month periods ending in the two preceding calendar years.
b. This subsection applies as provided under the tax relief, unemployment insurance reauthorization, and job creation act of 2010 (P.L. 111-312) as it existed on December 17, 2010, or such subsequent date as may be provided by the department by rule, consistent with the purposes of this subsection:
i. The average rate of insured unemployment, not seasonally adjusted, equaled or exceeded one hundred twenty percent of the average of such rates for the corresponding thirteen-week period ending in all of the preceding three calendar years and equaled or exceeded five percent; or
ii. The average rate of total unemployment, seasonally adjusted, as determined by the United States secretary of labor, for the period consisting of the most recent three months for which data for all states are published before the close of the week equals or exceeds six and one-half percent; and
iii. The average rate of total unemployment in the state, seasonally adjusted, as determined by the United States secretary of labor, for the three-month period referred to in (b)(ii) of this subsection, equals or exceeds one hundred ten percent of the average for any of the corresponding three-month periods ending in the three preceding calendar years.
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"High unemployment period" means any period of unemployment beginning after March 6, 1993, during which an extended benefit period would be in effect if:
The average rate of total unemployment, seasonally adjusted, as determined by the United States secretary of labor, for the period consisting of the most recent three months for which data for all states are published before the close of the week equals or exceeds eight percent; and
The average rate of total unemployment in the state, seasonally adjusted, as determined by the United States secretary of labor, for the three-month period referred to in (a)(i) of this subsection, equals or exceeds one hundred ten percent of the average for either or both of the corresponding three-month periods ending in the two preceding calendar years.
This subsection applies as provided under the tax relief, unemployment insurance reauthorization, and job creation act of 2010 (P.L. 111-312) as it existed on December 17, 2010, or such subsequent date as may be provided by the department by rule, consistent with the purposes of this subsection:
The average rate of total unemployment, seasonally adjusted, as determined by the United States secretary of labor, for the period consisting of the most recent three months for which data for all states are published before the close of the week equals or exceeds eight percent; and
The average rate of total unemployment in the state, seasonally adjusted, as determined by the United States secretary of labor, for the three-month period referred to in (a)(i) of this subsection, equals or exceeds one hundred ten percent of the average for any of the corresponding three-month periods ending in the three preceding calendar years.
There is an "off" indicator for this state for a week only if, for the period consisting of such week and immediately preceding twelve weeks, none of the options specified in subsection (2) or (3) of this section result in an "on" indicator.
"Regular benefits" means benefits payable to an individual under this title or under any state law (including benefits payable to federal civilian employees and to ex-servicemen or ex-servicewomen pursuant to 5 U.S.C. chapter 85) other than extended benefits or additional benefits.
"Extended benefits" means benefits payable for weeks of unemployment beginning in an extended benefit period to an individual under this title or under any state law (including benefits payable to federal civilian employees and to ex-servicemen or ex-servicewomen pursuant to 5 U.S.C. chapter 85) other than regular or additional benefits.
"Additional benefits" are benefits totally financed by the state and payable under this title to exhaustees by reason of conditions of high unemployment or by reason of other special factors.
"Eligibility period" of an individual means:
Except as provided in section 1 of this act, the period consisting of the weeks in his or her benefit year which begin in an extended benefit period that is in effect in this state and, if his or her benefit year ends within such extended benefit period, any weeks thereafter which begin in such period; or
For an individual who is eligible for emergency unemployment compensation during the extended benefit period beginning February 15, 2009, the period consisting of the week ending February 28, 2009, and applies as provided under the tax relief, unemployment insurance reauthorization, and job creation act of 2010 (P.L. 111-312) as it existed on December 17, 2010, or such subsequent date as may be provided by the department by rule, consistent with the purposes of this subsection.
"Additional benefit eligibility period" of an individual means the period consisting of the weeks in his or her benefit year which begin in an additional benefit period that is in effect and, if his or her benefit year ends within such additional benefit period, any weeks thereafter which begin in such period.
"Exhaustee" means an individual who, with respect to any week of unemployment in his or her eligibility period:
Has received, prior to such week, all of the regular benefits that were payable to him or her under this title or any other state law (including dependents' allowances and regular benefits payable to federal civilian employees and ex-servicemen or ex-servicewomen under 5 U.S.C. chapter 85) in his or her current benefit year that includes such week; or
Has received, prior to such week, all of the regular benefits that were available to him or her under this title or any other state law (including dependents' allowances and regular benefits available to federal civilian employees and ex-servicemen or ex-servicewomen under 5 U.S.C. chapter 85) in his or her current benefit year that includes such week, after the cancellation of some or all of his or her wage credits or the total or partial reduction of his or her rights to regular benefits: PROVIDED, That, for the purposes of (a) and (b) of this subsection, an individual shall be deemed to have received in his or her current benefit year all of the regular benefits that were payable to him or her, or available to him or her, as the case may be, even though:
As a result of a pending appeal with respect to wages or employment, or both, that were not included in the original monetary determination with respect to his or her current benefit year, he or she may subsequently be determined to be entitled to more regular benefits; or
By reason of the seasonal provisions of another state law, he or she is not entitled to regular benefits with respect to such week of unemployment (although he or she may be entitled to regular benefits with respect to future weeks of unemployment in the next season, as the case may be, in his or her current benefit year), and he or she is otherwise an exhaustee within the meaning of this section with respect to his or her right to regular benefits under such state law seasonal provisions during the season or off season in which that week of unemployment occurs; or
Having established a benefit year, no regular benefits are payable to him or her during such year because his or her wage credits were canceled or his or her right to regular benefits was totally reduced as the result of the application of a disqualification; or
His or her benefit year having ended prior to such week, he or she has insufficient wages or employment, or both, on the basis of which he or she could establish in any state a new benefit year that would include such week, or having established a new benefit year that includes such week, he or she is precluded from receiving regular benefits by reason of the provision in RCW 50.04.030 which meets the requirement of section 3304(a)(7) of the federal unemployment tax act, or the similar provision in any other state law; and
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Has no right for such week to unemployment benefits or allowances, as the case may be, under the railroad unemployment insurance act, the trade expansion act of 1962, and such other federal laws as are specified in regulations issued by the United States secretary of labor; and
Has not received and is not seeking for such week unemployment benefits under the unemployment compensation law of Canada, unless the appropriate agency finally determines that he or she is not entitled to unemployment benefits under such law for such week.
"State law" means the unemployment insurance law of any state, approved by the United States secretary of labor under section 3304 of the internal revenue code of 1954.
When the result would not be inconsistent with the other provisions of this chapter, the provisions of this title and commissioner's regulations enacted pursuant thereto, which apply to claims for, or the payment of, regular benefits, shall apply to claims for, and the payment of, extended benefits: PROVIDED, That
Payment of extended compensation under this chapter shall not be made to any individual for any week of unemployment in his or her eligibility period—
During which he or she fails to accept any offer of suitable work (as defined in subsection (3) of this section) or fails to apply for any suitable work to which he or she was referred by the employment security department; or
During which he or she fails to actively engage in seeking work.
If any individual is ineligible for extended compensation for any week by reason of a failure described in subsections (1)(a) or (1)(b) of this section, the individual shall be ineligible to receive extended compensation for any week which begins during a period which—
Begins with the week following the week in which such failure occurs; and
Does not end until such individual has been employed during at least four weeks which begin after such failure and the total of the remuneration earned by the individual for being so employed is not less than the product of four multiplied by the individual's weekly benefit amount (as determined under RCW 50.20.120) for his or her benefit year.
For purposes of this section, the term "suitable work" means, with respect to any individual, any work which is within such individual's capabilities and which does not involve conditions described in RCW 50.20.110: PROVIDED, That if the individual furnishes evidence satisfactory to the employment security department that such individual's prospects for obtaining work in his or her customary occupation within a reasonably short period are good, the determination of whether any work is suitable work with respect to such individual shall be made in accordance with RCW 50.20.100.
Extended compensation shall not be denied under subsection (1)(a) of this section to any individual for any week by reason of a failure to accept an offer of, or apply for, suitable work if:
The gross average weekly remuneration payable to such individual for the position does not exceed the sum of—
The individual's weekly benefit amount (as determined under RCW 50.20.120) for his or her benefit year; plus
The amount (if any) of supplemental unemployment compensation benefits (as defined in section 501(c)(17)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, 26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(17)(D)), payable to such individual for such week;
The position was not offered to such individual in writing or was not listed with the employment security department;
Such failure would not result in a denial of compensation under the provisions of RCW 50.20.080 and 50.20.100 to the extent such provisions are not inconsistent with the provisions of subsections (3) and (5) of this section; or
The position pays wages less than the higher of—
The minimum wage provided by section (6)(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, without regard to any exemption; or
Any applicable state or local minimum wage.
For purposes of this section, an individual shall be treated as actively engaged in seeking work during any week if:
The individual has engaged in a systematic and sustained effort to obtain work during such week; and
The individual provides tangible evidence to the employment security department that he or she has engaged in such an effort during such week.
The employment security department shall refer applicants for benefits under this chapter to any suitable work to which subsections (4)(a) through (4)(d) of this section would not apply.
No provisions of this title which terminates a disqualification for voluntarily leaving employment, being discharged for misconduct, or refusing suitable employment shall apply for purposes of determining eligibility for extended compensation unless such termination is based upon employment subsequent to the date of such disqualification.
The provisions of subsections (1) through (7) of this section shall apply with respect to weeks of unemployment beginning after March 31, 1981: PROVIDED HOWEVER, That the provisions of subsections (1) through (7) of this section shall not apply to those weeks of unemployment beginning after March 6, 1993, and before January 1, 1995.
[ 2021 c 107 § 3; 1993 c 483 § 16; 1993 c 58 § 3; 1981 c 35 § 8; 1971 c 1 § 3; ]
Beginning December 27, 2020, through April 12, 2021, or such subsequent date as may be provided by the employment security department by rule, an individual's eligibility period under RCW 50.22.010(8)(a) shall also include any week that begins in an extended benefit period that is in effect in this state and after the individual exhausted all rights to pandemic emergency unemployment compensation, as established in the CARES act (P.L. 116-136), as amended.
With respect to determining whether the state is in an extended benefit period beginning November 1, 2020, through December 31, 2021, or such subsequent date as may be provided by the employment security department by rule, the state shall disregard the requirement in RCW 50.22.010(1)(b) that no extended benefit period may begin before the fourteenth week following the end of a prior extended benefit period which was in effect.
For purposes of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the employment security department may not adopt a subsequent date by rule if the federal share of extended benefits is less than 50 percent minus any reductions required by the budget control act of 2011, P.L. 112-25.
[ 2021 c 107 § 1; ]
An individual shall be eligible to receive extended benefits with respect to any week of unemployment in his or her eligibility period only if the commissioner finds with respect to such week that:
The individual is an "exhaustee" as defined in RCW 50.22.010;
He or she has satisfied the requirements of this title for the receipt of regular benefits that are applicable to individuals claiming extended benefits, including not being subject to a disqualification for the receipt of benefits; and
He or she has earned wages in the applicable base year of at least:
Forty times his or her weekly benefit amount; or
One and one-half times his or her insured wages in the calendar quarter of the base period in which the insured wages are the highest, for weeks of unemployment on or after July 3, 1992.
An individual filing an interstate claim in any state under the interstate benefit payment plan shall not be eligible to receive extended benefits for any week beyond the first two weeks claimed for which extended benefits are payable unless an extended benefit period embracing such week is also in effect in the agent state.
[ 1993 c 483 § 17; 1982 1st ex.s. c 18 § 4; 1981 c 35 § 9; 1971 c 1 § 4; ]
The weekly extended benefit amount payable to an individual for a week of total unemployment in his or her eligibility period shall be an amount equal to the weekly benefit amount payable to him or her during his or her applicable benefit year. However, for those individuals whose eligibility period for extended benefits commences with weeks beginning after October 1, 1983, the weekly benefit amount, as computed in RCW 50.20.120(2) and payable under this section, if not a multiple of one dollar, shall be reduced to the next lower multiple of one dollar.
[ 2010 c 8 § 13026; 1983 1st ex.s. c 23 § 13; 1971 c 1 § 5; ]
The total extended benefit amount payable to any eligible individual with respect to his or her applicable benefit year shall be the least of the following amounts:
Fifty percent of the total amount of regular benefits which were payable to him or her under this title in his or her applicable benefit year;
Thirteen times his or her weekly benefit amount which was payable to him or her under this title for a week of total unemployment in the applicable benefit year; or
Thirty-nine times his or her weekly benefit amount which was payable to him or her under this title for a week of total unemployment in the applicable benefit year, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits which were paid (or deemed paid) to him or her under this title with respect to the benefit year.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, if the benefit year of any eligible individual ends within an extended benefit period, the extended benefits which the individual would otherwise be entitled to receive with respect to weeks of unemployment beginning after the end of the benefit year and within the extended benefit period shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the product of the number of weeks for which the individual received any amount as a trade readjustment allowance within that benefit year, multiplied by the individual's weekly extended benefit amount.
Effective for weeks beginning in a high unemployment period as defined in RCW 50.22.010(3) the total extended benefit amount payable to any eligible individual with respect to his or her applicable benefit year shall be the least of the following amounts:
Eighty percent of the total amount of regular benefits that were payable to him or her under this title in his or her applicable benefit year;
Twenty times his or her weekly benefit amount that was payable to him or her under this title for a week of total unemployment in the applicable benefit year; or
Forty-six times his or her weekly benefit amount that was payable to him or her under this title for a week of total unemployment in the applicable benefit year, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits which were paid, or deemed paid, to him or her under this title with respect to the benefit year.
[ 1993 c 483 § 18; 1982 1st ex.s. c 18 § 5; 1971 c 1 § 6; ]
Whenever an extended benefit period is to become effective in this state (or in all states) as a result of an "on" indicator, or an extended benefit period is to be terminated in this state as a result of an "off" indicator, the commissioner shall make an appropriate public announcement.
Computations required by the provisions of RCW 50.22.010(4) shall be made by the commissioner, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the United States secretary of labor.
[ 1982 1st ex.s. c 18 § 3; 1971 c 1 § 7; ]
Supplemental additional benefits shall be available to individuals who, under this chapter, had a balance of extended benefits available after payments up to and including the week ending February 26, 1994.
Total supplemental additional benefits payable shall be equal to the extended benefit balance remaining after extended benefit payments for up to and including the week ending February 26, 1994, and shall be paid at the same weekly benefit amount.
The week ending March 5, 1994, is the first week for which supplemental additional benefits are payable.
Supplemental additional benefits shall be paid under the same terms and conditions as extended benefits.
Supplemental additional benefits are not payable for weeks more than one year beyond the end of the benefit year of the regular claim.
Weeks of supplemental additional benefits may not be paid for weeks that begin after the start of a new extended benefit period, or any totally federally funded benefit program with eligibility criteria and benefits comparable to additional benefits.
Weeks of supplemental additional benefits may not be paid for weeks of unemployment beginning after December 31, 1995.
The department shall seek federal funding to reimburse the state for the supplemental additional benefits paid under this section. Any federal funds received by the state for reimbursement shall be deposited in the unemployment trust fund solely for the payment of benefits under this title.
[ 1994 c 3 § 3; ]
It is the intent of the legislature that a training benefits program be established to provide unemployment insurance benefits to unemployed individuals who participate in training programs necessary for their reemployment.
The legislature further intends that this program serve the following goals:
Retraining should be available for those unemployed individuals whose skills are no longer in demand;
Training must enhance the individual's marketable skills and earning power; and
Retraining must be targeted to high-demand occupations.
The legislature further intends that funding for this program be limited by a specified maximum amount each fiscal year.
[ 2011 c 4 § 8; 2009 c 353 § 3; 2000 c 2 § 6; ]
The employment security department is authorized to pay training benefits under RCW 50.22.150 and 50.22.155, but may not obligate expenditures beyond the limits specified in this section or as otherwise set by the legislature. Any funds not obligated in one fiscal year may be carried forward to the next fiscal year. The commissioner may not obligate more than twenty million dollars annually in addition to any funds carried forward from previous fiscal years.
If the amount available for training benefits at any time is equal to or less than five million dollars, funds will no longer be obligated for individuals in RCW 50.22.155(2)(a)(ii). If funds are exhausted, training benefits will continue to be obligated to dislocated workers only under RCW 50.22.155(2)(a)(i). The following year's obligation for training benefits will be reduced by a corresponding amount.
[ 2011 c 4 § 10; 2002 c 149 § 1; 2000 2nd sp.s. c 1 § 916; 2000 c 2 § 7; ]
This section applies to claims with an effective date before April 5, 2009.
Subject to availability of funds, training benefits are available for an individual who is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation benefits and who:
Is a dislocated worker as defined in RCW 50.04.075;
Except as provided under subsection (3) of this section, has demonstrated, through a work history, sufficient tenure in an occupation or in work with a particular skill set. This screening will take place during the assessment process;
Is, after assessment of demand for the individual's occupation or skills in the individual's labor market, determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in his or her labor market. Beginning July 1, 2001, the assessment of demand for the individual's occupation or skill sets must be substantially based on declining occupation or skill sets identified in local labor market areas by the local workforce development councils, in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division, under subsection (11) of this section;
Develops an individual training program that is submitted to the commissioner for approval within sixty days after the individual is notified by the employment security department of the requirements of this section;
Enters the approved training program by ninety days after the date of the notification, unless the employment security department determines that the training is not available during the ninety-day period, in which case the individual enters training as soon as it is available; and
Is enrolled in training approved under this section on a full-time basis as determined by the educational institution, and is making satisfactory progress in the training as certified by the educational institution.
Until June 30, 2002, the following individuals who meet the requirements of subsection (2) of this section may, without regard to the tenure requirements under subsection (2)(b) of this section, receive training benefits as provided in this section:
An exhaustee who has base year employment in the aerospace industry assigned the standard industrial classification code "372" or the North American industry classification system code "336411";
An exhaustee who has base year employment in the forest products industry, determined by the department, but including the industries assigned the major group standard industrial classification codes "24" and "26" or any equivalent codes in the North American industry classification system code, and the industries involved in the harvesting and management of logs, transportation of logs and wood products, processing of wood products, and the manufacturing and distribution of wood processing and logging equipment; or
An exhaustee who has base year employment in the fishing industry assigned the standard industrial classification code "0912" or any equivalent codes in the North American industry classification system code.
An individual is not eligible for training benefits under this section if he or she:
Is a standby claimant who expects recall to his or her regular employer;
Has a definite recall date that is within six months of the date he or she is laid off; or
Is unemployed due to a regular seasonal layoff which demonstrates a pattern of unemployment consistent with the provisions of *RCW 50.20.015. Regular seasonal layoff does not include layoff due to permanent structural downsizing or structural changes in the individual's labor market.
The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
"Educational institution" means an institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 or an educational institution as defined in RCW 28C.04.410, including equivalent educational institutions in other states.
"Sufficient tenure" means earning a plurality of wages in a particular occupation or using a particular skill set during the base year and at least two of the four twelve-month periods immediately preceding the base year.
"Training benefits" means additional benefits paid under this section.
"Training program" means:
An education program determined to be necessary as a prerequisite to vocational training after counseling at the educational institution in which the individual enrolls under his or her approved training program; or
A vocational training program at an educational institution:
That is targeted to training for a high-demand occupation. Beginning July 1, 2001, the assessment of high-demand occupations authorized for training under this section must be substantially based on labor market and employment information developed by local workforce development councils, in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division, under subsection (11) of this section;
That is likely to enhance the individual's marketable skills and earning power; and
That meets the criteria for performance developed by the workforce training and education coordinating board for the purpose of determining those training programs eligible for funding under Title I of P.L. 113-128.
"Training program" does not include any course of education primarily intended to meet the requirements of a baccalaureate or higher degree, unless the training meets specific requirements for certification, licensing, or for specific skills necessary for the occupation.
Benefits shall be paid as follows:
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Except as provided in (a)(iii) of this subsection, for exhaustees who are eligible under subsection (2) of this section, the total training benefit amount shall be fifty-two times the individual's weekly benefit amount, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits and extended benefits paid, or deemed paid, with respect to the benefit year; or
For exhaustees who are eligible under subsection (3) of this section, for claims filed before June 30, 2002, the total training benefit amount shall be seventy-four times the individual's weekly benefit amount, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits and extended benefits paid, or deemed paid, with respect to the benefit year; or
For exhaustees eligible under subsection (2) of this section from industries listed under subsection (3)(a) of this section, for claims filed on or after June 30, 2002, but before January 5, 2003, the total training benefit amount shall be seventy-four times the individual's weekly benefit amount, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits and extended benefits paid, or deemed paid, with respect to the benefit year.
The weekly benefit amount shall be the same as the regular weekly amount payable during the applicable benefit year and shall be paid under the same terms and conditions as regular benefits. The training benefits shall be paid before any extended benefits but not before any similar federally funded program.
Training benefits are not payable for weeks more than two years beyond the end of the benefit year of the regular claim.
The requirement under RCW 50.22.010(10) relating to exhausting regular benefits does not apply to an individual otherwise eligible for training benefits under this section when the individual's benefit year ends before his or her training benefits are exhausted and the individual is eligible for a new benefit year. These individuals will have the option of remaining on the original claim or filing a new claim.
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Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, individuals who receive training benefits under this section or under any previous additional benefits program for training are not eligible for training benefits under this section for five years from the last receipt of training benefits under this section or under any previous additional benefits program for training.
With respect to claims that are filed before January 5, 2003, an individual in the aerospace industry assigned the standard industrial code "372" or the North American industry classification system code "336411" who received training benefits under this section, and who had been making satisfactory progress in a training program but did not complete the program, is eligible, without regard to the five-year limitation of this section and without regard to the requirement of subsection (2)(b) of this section, if applicable, to receive training benefits under this section in order to complete that training program. The total training benefit amount that applies to the individual is seventy-four times the individual's weekly benefit amount, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits paid, or deemed paid, with respect to the benefit year in which the training program resumed and, if applicable, reduced by the amount of training benefits paid, or deemed paid, with respect to the benefit year in which the training program commenced.
An individual eligible to receive a trade readjustment allowance under chapter 2 of Title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this section for each week the individual receives such trade readjustment allowance. An individual eligible to receive emergency unemployment compensation, so called, under any federal law, shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this section for each week the individual receives such compensation.
All base year employers are interested parties to the approval of training and the granting of training benefits.
By July 1, 2001, each local workforce development council, in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division, must identify high-demand occupations and occupations in declining employer demand. For the purposes of RCW 50.22.130 through 50.22.150 and section 9, chapter 2, Laws of 2000, "high-demand occupation" means an occupation with a substantial number of current or projected employment opportunities. Local workforce development councils must use state and locally developed labor market information. Thereafter, each local workforce development council shall update this information annually or more frequently if needed.
The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.
[ 2017 c 39 § 8; 2009 c 353 § 4; 2009 c 3 § 5; 2002 c 149 § 2; 2000 c 2 § 8; ]
With respect to claims with an effective date on or after April 5, 2009, and before July 1, 2012:
Subject to availability of funds, training benefits are available for an individual who is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation benefits when:
The individual is a dislocated worker as defined in RCW 50.04.075 and, after assessment of the individual's labor market, occupation, or skills, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market. The assessment of demand for the individual's occupation or skill sets must be substantially based on declining occupation or skill sets and high-demand occupations identified in local labor market areas by the local workforce development councils in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division; or
For claims with an effective date on or after September 7, 2009, the individual:
Earned an average hourly wage in the individual's base year that is less than one hundred thirty percent of the state minimum wage and, after assessment, it is determined that the individual's earning potential will be enhanced through vocational training. The individual's average hourly wage is calculated by dividing the total wages paid by the total hours worked in the individual's base year;
Served in the United States military or the Washington national guard during the twelve-month period prior to the application date, was honorably discharged from military service or the Washington national guard and, after assessment, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market;
Is currently serving in the Washington national guard and, after assessment, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market; or
Is disabled due to an injury or illness and, after assessment, is determined to be unable to return to his or her previous occupation and to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market.
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The individual must develop an individual training program that is submitted to the commissioner for approval within ninety days after the individual is notified by the employment security department of the requirements of this section;
The individual must enter the approved training program by one hundred twenty days after the date of the notification, unless the employment security department determines that the training is not available during the one hundred twenty days, in which case the individual enters training as soon as it is available;
The department may waive the deadlines established under this subsection for reasons deemed by the commissioner to be good cause.
The individual must be enrolled in training approved under this section on a full-time basis as determined by the educational institution, except that less than full-time training may be approved when the individual has a physical, mental, or emotional disability that precludes enrollment on a full-time basis.
The individual must make satisfactory progress in the training as defined by the commissioner and certified by the educational institution.
An individual is not eligible for training benefits under this section if he or she:
Is a standby claimant who expects recall to his or her regular employer; or
Has a definite recall date that is within six months of the date he or she is laid off.
The following definitions apply throughout this subsection (1) unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
"Educational institution" means an institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 or an educational institution as defined in RCW 28C.04.410, including equivalent educational institutions in other states.
"High-demand occupation" means an occupation with a substantial number of current or projected employment opportunities.
"Training benefits" means additional benefits paid under this section.
"Training program" means:
An education program determined to be necessary as a prerequisite to vocational training after counseling at the educational institution in which the individual enrolls under his or her approved training program; or
A vocational training program at an educational institution that:
I. Is targeted to training for a high-demand occupation;
Is likely to enhance the individual's marketable skills and earning power; and
Meets the criteria for performance developed by the workforce training and education coordinating board for the purpose of determining those training programs eligible for funding under Title I of P.L. 113-128.
"Training program" does not include any course of education primarily intended to meet the requirements of a baccalaureate or higher degree, unless the training meets specific requirements for certification, licensing, or for specific skills necessary for the occupation.
Benefits shall be paid as follows:
The total training benefit amount shall be fifty-two times the individual's weekly benefit amount, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits and extended benefits paid, or deemed paid, with respect to the benefit year.
The weekly benefit amount shall be the same as the regular weekly amount payable during the applicable benefit year and shall be paid under the same terms and conditions as regular benefits.
Training benefits shall be paid before any extended benefits but not before any similar federally funded program. Effective July 3, 2011, training benefits shall be paid after any federally funded program.
Training benefits are not payable for weeks more than two years beyond the end of the benefit year of the regular claim. However, training benefits are not payable for weeks more than three years beyond the end of the benefit year of the regular claim when individuals are eligible for benefits in accordance with RCW 50.22.010 (2)(b) or (3)(b).
The requirement under RCW 50.22.010(10) relating to exhausting regular benefits does not apply to an individual otherwise eligible for training benefits under this section when the individual's benefit year ends before his or her training benefits are exhausted and the individual is eligible for a new benefit year. These individuals will have the option of remaining on the original claim or filing a new claim.
Individuals who receive training benefits under RCW 50.22.150 or this section are not eligible for training benefits under this section for five years from the last receipt of training benefits.
An individual eligible to receive a trade readjustment allowance under chapter 2, Title II of the trade act of 1974, as amended, shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this section for each week the individual receives such trade readjustment allowance.
An individual eligible to receive emergency unemployment compensation under any federal law shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this section for each week the individual receives such compensation.
All base year employers are interested parties to the approval of training and the granting of training benefits.
Each local workforce development council, in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division, must identify occupations and skill sets that are declining and high-demand occupations and skill sets. Each local workforce development council shall update this information annually or more frequently if needed.
With respect to claims with an effective date on or after July 1, 2012:
Training benefits are available for an individual who is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation benefits when:
The individual is a dislocated worker as defined in RCW 50.04.075 and, after assessment of the individual's labor market, occupation, or skills, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market. The assessment of demand for the individual's occupation or skill sets must be substantially based on declining occupation or skill sets and high-demand occupations identified in local labor market areas by the local workforce development councils in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division; or
Subject to the availability of funds as specified in RCW 50.22.140, the individual:
Earned an average hourly wage in the individual's base year that is less than one hundred thirty percent of the state minimum wage and, after assessment, it is determined that the individual's earning potential will be enhanced through vocational training. The individual's average hourly wage is calculated by dividing the total wages paid by the total hours worked in the individual's base year;
Served in the United States military or the Washington national guard during the twelve-month period prior to the application date, was honorably discharged from military service or the Washington national guard and, after assessment, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market;
Is currently serving in the Washington national guard and, after assessment, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market; or
Is disabled due to an injury or illness and, after assessment, is determined to be unable to return to his or her previous occupation and to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market.
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Except for an individual eligible under (a)(i) of this subsection, the individual must develop an individual training plan that is submitted to the commissioner for approval within ninety days after the individual is notified by the employment security department of the requirements of this section;
Except for an individual eligible under (a)(i) of this subsection, the individual must enroll in the approved training program by one hundred twenty days after the date of the notification, unless the employment security department determines that the training is not available during the one hundred twenty days, in which case the individual enters training as soon as it is available;
An individual eligible under (a)(i) of this subsection must submit an individual training plan and enroll in the approved training program prior to the end of the individual's benefit year;
The department may waive the deadlines established under (b)(i) and (ii) of this subsection for reasons deemed by the commissioner to be good cause.
Except for an individual eligible under (a)(i) of this subsection, the individual must be enrolled in training approved under this section on a full-time basis as determined by the educational institution, except that less than full-time training may be approved when the individual has a physical, mental, or emotional disability that precludes enrollment on a full-time basis.
The individual must make satisfactory progress in the training as defined by the commissioner and certified by the educational institution.
An individual is not eligible for training benefits under this section if he or she:
Is a standby claimant who expects recall to his or her regular employer; or
Has a definite recall date that is within six months of the date he or she is laid off.
The following definitions apply throughout this subsection (2) unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
"Educational institution" means an institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 or an educational institution as defined in RCW 28C.04.410, including equivalent educational institutions in other states.
"High-demand occupation" means an occupation with a substantial number of current or projected employment opportunities.
"Training benefits" means additional benefits paid under this section.
"Training program" means:
An education program determined to be necessary as a prerequisite to vocational training after counseling at the educational institution in which the individual enrolls under his or her approved training program; or
A vocational training program at an educational institution that:
I. Is targeted to training for a high-demand occupation;
Is likely to enhance the individual's marketable skills and earning power; and
Meets the criteria for performance developed by the workforce training and education coordinating board for the purpose of determining those training programs eligible for funding under Title I of P.L. 113-128.
"Training program" does not include any course of education primarily intended to meet the requirements of a baccalaureate or higher degree, unless the training meets specific requirements for certification, licensing, or for specific skills necessary for the occupation.
Available benefits shall be paid as follows:
The total training benefit amount shall be fifty-two times the individual's weekly benefit amount, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits paid, or deemed paid, with respect to the benefit year.
The weekly benefit amount shall be the same as the regular weekly amount payable during the applicable benefit year and shall be paid under the same terms and conditions as regular benefits.
Training benefits shall be paid after any federally funded program.
Training benefits are not payable for weeks more than two years beyond the end of the benefit year of the regular claim. However, training benefits are not payable for weeks more than three years beyond the end of the benefit year of the regular claim when individuals are eligible for benefits in accordance with RCW 50.22.010 (2)(b) or (3)(b).
The requirement under RCW 50.22.010(10) relating to exhausting regular benefits does not apply to an individual otherwise eligible for training benefits under this section when the individual's benefit year ends before his or her training benefits are exhausted and the individual is eligible for a new benefit year. These individuals will have the option of remaining on the original claim or filing a new claim.
Except for individuals eligible under (a)(i) of this subsection, individuals who receive training benefits under RCW 50.22.150 or this section are not eligible for training benefits under this section for five years from the last receipt of training benefits.
An individual eligible to receive a trade readjustment allowance under chapter 2, Title II of the trade act of 1974, as amended, shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this section for each week the individual receives such trade readjustment allowance.
An individual eligible to receive emergency unemployment compensation under any federal law shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this section for each week the individual receives such compensation.
All base year employers are interested parties to the approval of training and the granting of training benefits.
Each local workforce development council, in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division, must identify occupations and skill sets that are declining and high-demand occupations and skill sets. Each local workforce development council shall update this information annually or more frequently if needed.
[ 2017 c 39 § 9; 2011 c 4 § 9; 2011 c 4 § 6; 2011 c 3 § 2; 2009 c 3 § 4; ]
The employment security department shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2016, and every five years thereafter, on the status of the training benefits program and the resulting outcomes. The report shall include a survey based assessment of the employment outcomes for program participants within the previous three years. The department shall also include in its report:
A demographic analysis of participants in the training benefits program under this section including the number of claimants per North American industry classification system code and the gender, race, age, and geographic representation of participants;
The duration of training benefits claimed per claimant;
An analysis of the training provided to participants including the occupational category supported by the training, whether the training received would lead to employment in a high-demand occupation, whether a degree or certificate is required in that occupational category to obtain employment, those participants who complete training in relationship to those that do not, the number of participants who take courses in basic language, reading, or writing skills to improve their employability, and the reasons for noncompletion of approved training programs;
The employment and wage history of participants, including the pretraining and posttraining wage, the type of work participants were engaged in prior to unemployment, and whether those participating in training return to their previous employer within two years of receiving training, or are employed in a field for which they were retrained;
An identification and analysis of administrative costs at both the local and state level for administering this program;
A projection of program costs for the next fiscal year; and
The total funds obligated for training benefits, and the net balance remaining to be obligated subject to the restrictions of RCW 50.22.140.
The joint legislative audit and review committee is directed to conduct a thorough review and evaluation of the training benefits program on the following schedule:
Three years after the implementation of the training benefits portion of chapter 4, Laws of 2011 and every five years thereafter; and
In any year in which the employment security department is required to suspend obligation of training benefits funds pursuant to RCW 50.22.140(2), or total expenditures exceed twenty-five million dollars.
As part of the review conducted under subsection (2) of this section, the joint legislative audit and review committee shall:
Assess whether the program is complying with legislative intent;
Assess whether the program is effective;
Assess whether the program is operating in an efficient and economical manner which results in optimum performance; and
Make recommendations on how to improve the training benefits program.
After a review of the training benefits program has been completed by the joint legislative audit and review committee, the appropriate committees of the legislature must hold a public hearing on the review and consider potential changes to improve the program.
[ 2016 c 197 § 6; 2011 c 4 § 15; 2009 c 3 § 6; ]
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Beginning December 27, 2020, through April 12, 2021, or such subsequent date as may be provided by the employment security department by rule, an individual's eligibility period under RCW 50.22.010(8)(a) shall also include any week that begins in an extended benefit period that is in effect in this state and after the individual exhausted all rights to pandemic emergency unemployment compensation, as established in the CARES act (P.L. 116-136), as amended.
With respect to determining whether the state is in an extended benefit period beginning November 1, 2020, through December 31, 2021, or such subsequent date as may be provided by the employment security department by rule, the state shall disregard the requirement in RCW 50.22.010(1)(b) that no extended benefit period may begin before the fourteenth week following the end of a prior extended benefit period which was in effect.
[ 2021 c XXX § 1; ]**