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Self Employment is an interesting option if you are unemployed. Great idea! But I don’t have the cash to finance a business or the training and know-how to make it work, you may say.
If the previous paragraph describes your situation, the Washington Employment Security Department’s Self-Employment Assistance Program might be the way to go for you.
This two-article series will provide you with detailed information on what the Self-Employment Assistance program is, how it can help unemployed workers create their own job, what eligibility requirements you must meet and what free training programs are provided to help increase your chances of starting a successful business.
The Program
The Self-Employment Assistance Program started in Washington in 2007, when congress passed law RCW. 50.20.250, which gives unemployed workers that have been profiles as likely to exhaust their benefits to enroll in self-employment training programs while receiving benefits.
You can only apply for this program if you are selected by the Employment Security Department. If you are selected, you will receive a letter after you file your first weekly benefits. Note that you must available to start work at any time if you are claiming unemployment benefits. If you wish to study full time while receiving unemployment insurance you must be enrolled in an approved training program or you will be disqualified from receiving benefits.
How Does The Profiling Work?
To qualify for the Self-Employment Assistance Program you must score 30 or more on the program’s profiling test. The test determines your score based upon your education level, the county you live in, your main trade or occupation, the industry you work in and the unemployment rate in your region.
The purpose of the profiling test is to select unemployed workers who are unlikely to find work before their unemployment benefits are exhausted.
You can apply for this program even if you do not receive the necessary score, but the chances are your application will be denied.
This program is closely linked to the Commissioner-Approved Training program, which also provides agency-approved training but is not focused on self-employment training courses.
However, if you are interested in the program, did not qualify for it but you believe there are reasons why an exception should be made with you, you can contact the Washington Employment Security Department at 1-877-600-7701 and explain your reasons.
Our next article will provide more information on the eligibility requirements for the program and the training providers included in the program.
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