.png)
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Employment Security Department is helping federal employees affected by the recent rise in federal government layoffs.
“We are ready to assist federal employees in these trying and uncertain times,” Employment Security Commissioner Cami Feek said in a press release. “Whether they are applying for unemployment benefits or need assistance in finding a new job, we’re here to help.”
Federal employees may be eligible for unemployment benefits if their official duty station was in Washington, or if they are a current Washington resident and their official duty station was outside of the United States or they worked in Washington after their last federal employer.
The department has more information about eligibility, applying for unemployment benefits as a federal employee and priority access for federal employees who are veterans on its website at esd.wa.gov.
It is a partner with WorkSource Washington, a statewide partnership of state, local and nonprofit agencies.
Federal employees looking for new jobs and careers can visit one of the more than 30 WorkSource offices around the state for services such as job listings and referrals, hiring events and resume and job applications assistance and trainings. Locations are on WorkSource’s website at worksource- wa.com.
“My administration is standing at the ready to support all Washington workers — including federal government employees impacted by chaos in the federal government,” said Governor Bob Ferguson in the press release. “We will help you get back on your feet.”
The department is experiencing an increase in unemployment claims from federal employees, including 63 on Tuesday, Feb. 18 alone. So far this year, 650 federal employees have filed unemployment claims — 171 more than at this time last year. The average rate of unemployment claims from federal employees this year is 14 per day.
Washington has about 76,000 federal employees.
