The Washington State Employment Security Department has announced that beginning December 8 unemployed workers will be entitled to 9 additional weeks of Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits. However, on December 28 all 37 weeks of the federal EUC will terminate unless Congress reinstates the program. Workers will then only be entitled to a maximum of 26 weeks of State Regular Benefits.

The expansion in EUC benefits on December 8 was triggered by an increase in state unemployment over the last three months. Back in August the three month average state unemployment rate dropped below 7% and so the 9 weeks of Tier 3 EUC benefits triggered off. However, the latest three month average through October increased back up to 7% (rounded up from 6.95%).

The bottom line as reported by the Department, “Anyone who completed EUC tier 2 after Aug. 10 may now advance to tier 3. Nearly 11,000 individuals who ran out of benefits since that date may once again claim benefits if they still meet other eligibility criteria (e.g., not employed).”

At the height of the recession an unemployed worker could expect up to 99 weeks of unemployment benefits. Now even with the 9 week extension the maximum is 63 weeks, and 37 weeks of that will immediately end on December 28 unless Congress acts.

Additional details can be found at the EUC Website and claimants can call the EUC claims center at 877-558-8509.

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