Agency: 540 - Employment Security Department

Administrative Overhead consists of the core functions essential to operate the Employment Security Department. Resources dedicated to these functions include the Commissioner's Office and the agency's executive policy staff. Also included are the centralized functions for Information Technology, Human Resources, Fiscal and Budget, Contracts, Communications, and Office Services. (General Fund-Federal, General Fund-Local, Administrative Contingency Account-State, Employment Services Admin Account-State, Unemployment Compensation Admin Account-Federal).

This activity matches employers who need workers with people seeking jobs. Services provided to businesses include assessing employer needs, listing employer job openings, screening and referring applicants, providing a database of job seekers, assisting with recruitment efforts, and working with local economic development councils on potential new businesses. Services for job seekers include doing skills assessments, offering workshops on resume writing and job skills development, making referrals to local training and education programs, providing an automated job bank, offering reemployment services for unemployment claimants, and meeting local area job skills in demand. Some of the federal funds pay for job training programs to improve employment prospects of economically disadvantaged adults, youth, and dislocated workers. (General Fund-State, General Fund- Federal, General Fund-Local, Unemployment Compensation Admin Account-Federal, Administrative Contingency Account-State and Employment Services Administrative Account-State ).

Labor Market and Economic Analysis provides economic data to businesses, private planners, educators, legislators, government agencies, media, and the general public. Some of this information includes industry and occupational employment and earnings, labor supply and demand, economic forecasts, unemployment rates, and wage statistics. It is the primary source of labor market information supplied to key decision-makers throughout Washington State. (General Fund-Federal, Administrative Contingency Account-State, Employment Services Admin Account-State, Unemployment Compensation Admin Account-Federal)

Established in 1935 by the federal Social Security Act, the unemployment insurance program provides partial replacement of wages to workers unemployed through no fault of their own. Unemployed residents receive benefits each week while they are searching for new employment. Agency staff administer benefits, detect and collect money for overpayments, manage the unemployment trust fund, and administer the Old Age Survivors Insurance. (Unemployment Compensation Admin Account-Federal, Administrative Contingency Account-State, Employment Services Administrative Account-State)

Established in 1935 by the federal Social Security Act, unemployment benefits are paid for and financed by a tax on employers. The department administers the state's unemployment tax law, ensuring that all employers pay their unemployment taxes. Staff are also responsible for maintaining systems that deposit and record employers' tax filings and statements in an accurate and timely manner. (Unemployment Compensation Admin Account- Federal)

Established under RCW 50.65, the Washington Service Corps addresses locally identified needs through community service in five priority areas: education, environment, homeland security, human needs, and public safety. In exchange for successfully completing their term of service, program participants can earn an education award to help pay the cost of attending institutions of higher education or to repay qualified student loans. In addition, the Washington Service Corps administers the Washington Reading Corps program to improve the reading skills of struggling readers in grades K-6 across Washington State. (General Fund-Federal, General Fund-Local, Administrative Contingency Account-State)

Chapter 357, Laws of 2007, established a family leave insurance program that allows parents to bond with a newborn or newly adopted child by providing temporary income for up to five weeks. The Employment Security Department (ESD) will administer claims and pay benefits from the premiums collected and deposited into the Family Leave Insurance Account.