What are the laws governing the payment of unemployment benefits?

In Washington, the law governing the payment of unemployment benefits is the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Law. This law is in place to provide financial assistance to individuals who have become unemployed due to no fault of their own. To qualify for unemployment benefits, an individual must have been employed for a minimum of 680 hours during the base period of their claim. This base period is the 12 months prior to the start of the claim or the alternate base period of the last four completed calendar quarters. After filing a claim, the individual will be contacted by the Employment Security Department and asked to participate in an eligibility review. The review will assess the applicant’s employment history, wages, and other factors when determining their eligibility for unemployment benefits. If eligible, the individual will receive weekly payments as long as they remain unemployed and actively seeking suitable employment. The amount of the weekly payment depends on the applicant’s wages earned in a base period. The maximum weekly benefit amount is $790 while the minimum is $144 per week. The benefit is usually paid biweekly, but the amount of time between payments can vary based on the individual’s circumstances. In addition to unemployment benefits, the UI Law also provides resources to help individuals re-enter the workforce. This includes job search assistance, job placement services, and training programs. It is important to note that UI benefits are considered taxable income and must be reported on the applicant’s federal tax return.

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What are the laws governing the payment of unemployment benefits?

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