Letter to Suzi LeVine, Commissioner of the Washington State Employment Security Department - Herrera Beutler Leads Bipartisan Effort to Improve Unemployment Benefits Application Process for Seniors, Rural Communities

Letter

Dear Commissioner LeVine,

Thank you for your work to implement the expansion of unemployment eligibility under the
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress and signed
into law by the President on March 27th. We would like to call your attention to a group of
vulnerable individuals who are continuing to struggle to apply for unemployment: Washington
residents without internet access or technology to apply online for unemployment benefits.

We understand and appreciate the great workload your department has been given to implement
new programs and meet increased demand. And while technology can help with that, many of
our constituents continue to struggle to apply for benefits.

The CARES Act expanded unemployment eligibility under the Pandemic Unemployment
Assistance Program for individuals who do not regularly qualify for unemployment insurance,
including self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and folks who do not meet the
typical 680-hour requirement. This provision, as well as the provision that extends benefits to
individuals who have exhausted their unemployment benefits by 13 weeks, are vital to ensuring
people are able to sustain themselves and their families while they cannot work during the stayat-home order.

With the unprecedented increase in phone calls to ESD, many constituents who attempt to apply
by phone are not able to complete their applications. ESD has done extensive work to enhance its
online system, but for many of our constituents, applying online is not a reality. This is
especially true for seniors, lower income individuals, and those who live in rural areas. These
residents must be able to access the vital unemployment benefits lifeline during this time.

We would like to know the steps ESD is taking to ensure that individuals who are without
internet access and/or are unable to apply online are given the necessary tools to receive benefits.
We look forward to your response outlining the actions being taken to bridge the technological
barrier for these vulnerable residents