Unemployment Benefit Eligibility for High-Risk Individuals – SB 5601

Senate Bill 5601, effective February 8, 2021, provides that after April 4, 2021, and during the weeks of a public health emergency (PHE), an unemployed individual, who left work voluntarily and who is “high risk” or resides with an individual who is “high risk”, is eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits.  See SB 5681, Bill Summary.  In addition, the unemployed individual may meet the “able and available for work requirements” if the individual or someone with which the individual resides is “high risk.”  “High risk” individuals include an individual that is in an age category defined as high risk for the disease that is the subject of the PHE or has an underlying health condition identified as a risk factor for that disease. The bill also provides tax relief to businesses, enhanced worker support, and improvement to the Unemployment Insurance program to better respond to future crises while also taking advantage of federal funding for programs.  Some of the business relief provisions are in effect until 2025. Public testimony regarding the bill indicates that Washington,"need[s] to take urgent action on unemployment issues as employers have received their tax bills for the next quarter, due in April. Those tax bills for some of the hardest-hit employers have increased 500 plus percent.  Id.  During a recession and a pandemic, that is unacceptable.  . . . There are four goals for the bill: economic stabilization and stimulus; premium reductions aimed at businesses hardest hit, while staying in federal conformity; improvement of equity for small employers and lowest-paid workers; and restoration of the trust fund, which can take five to six years." Opponents of the bill stated the new law is a starting point, but should be revisited and adjusted yearly to ensure, among other things, that taxes on employers are not reduced so long that the state fund which pays Unemployment Insurance is not promptly restocked from the COVID-19 pandemic.