L&I Extends Relief for Workers' Comp Payments Due to Pandemic

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L&I Extends Relief for Workers' Comp Payments Due to Pandemic

The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is again extending the deadline for employers who are finding it difficult to pay their workers’ compensation premiums during the coronavirus outbreak.

L&I is giving employers until Nov. 2 to pay for their workers’ compensation premiums for the second quarter (April-May-June) through the Employer Assistance Program. Without the extension, the full payments would have been due on July 31. Premiums for the first quarter (January-February-March) were already extended through July 31.

Interested employers must still reapply for the second quarter payment relief, even if they received an extension on their payment for the first quarter.

“We know employers are still impacted by the pandemic, and we want to continue to offer flexibility during these hard times,” L&I Employer Services Program Manager Keith Bingham said.

Under state law, L&I is required to collect workers’ compensation premiums from employers to pay for benefits for workers who are injured on the job or develop work-related illnesses.

Requesting payment deferral

Under this offer, employers can request their payment be deferred for up to 90 days, or can ask for a 90-day payment plan. Either way, the delayed payments will be penalty- and interest-free.

To be eligible for the coronavirus-related assistance, employers must contact the L&I Collections, Education and Outreach Unit if they know they won't be able to make their quarterly premium payment. The unit may be reached by calling 1-800- 301-1826 or by sending an email to L&I's dialer collections mailbox (dialercollections@lni.wa.gov).

L&I will waive late penalties and interest charges as long as qualifying businesses pay their premiums within 90 days. In some cases, the payment plan can be renegotiated if a business goes deeper into financial distress.

As part of the agreement, businesses must still file their quarterly report on time, which is no later than July 31, 2020, for second quarter workers’ compensation premiums. Quarterly reports can be filed online through QuickFile. Check with your local L&I office to see if it’s open for walk-in visits or office visits by appointment.

For additional services

L&I customers can find phone numbers for local L&I offices online or call the L&I Office of Information and Assistance at 360-902-5800.