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Jobless benefits tougher to get as new rules, standards kick in

By Sarah Anne Wright
Seattle Times staff reporter

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The new rules are the biggest change to the unemployment-insurance law in 40 years, said Fran Bradley, operations manager for the WorkSource office in Everett operated by the state's Employment Security Department.

The revisions were made to cut the cost of the unemployment-insurance program to employers.

"Fewer people are going to qualify, and then some of the people who qualify, they will qualify for less money than they would have," said Jerry Iyall, spokesman for the Employment Security Department. "That will make it more important for people to find work."

Some 156,270 people received unemployment benefits from Washington last week.

One of the biggest changes is how unemployment benefits are calculated: The payout amount will be based on a person's top earnings for three quarters, instead of two quarters. This change likely will reduce payments for seasonal workers, such as agricultural or construction employees.

Maximum weekly benefits were capped at $496 a week for new claims, down from $510.

Under the law, each week claimants must make contact with a potential employer, attend at least three job-search workshops or similar programs at a local WorkSource office, or do a combination of three classes and job-searching activities.

Formerly, claimants had to contact three different employers or participate in a single job-search activity.

Claimants living out of state were added to the pool of potential spot-checks the Employment Security Department does to monitor job-searching activities.

Tougher standards were set for those who claim unemployment benefits when they quit or are fired. For example, new rules permit a person to quit his or her job if work hours are reduced by 25 percent; old rules required a 10 percent reduction in hours.

Bradley said it was too early to gauge the impact of the changes, especially given this week's weather. While most unemployment claims are made via telephone or over the Internet, some people still visit WorkSource offices with questions.

"Most people who are on unemployment insurance would much rather be working," said Bradley. "These are people who have had jobs and are, for the most part, anxious to get back to suitable employment."

Sarah Anne Wright: 206-464-2752 or swright@seattletimes.com

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