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In this issue
- WA Cares: If you're self-employed, you can elect coverage.
- Paid Leave: Verify your account, billing statements mailed, and more.
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Find employees: Register for the annual Hire-A-Vet Job & Resource Fair, build a talent pipeline.
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Self-employed? Elect WA Cares coverage by June 30
If you’re self-employed, you can choose to elect coverage and protect yourself with the same affordable benefits available to other Washington workers. You need to elect coverage by June 30, 2026, or within three years of becoming self-employed in Washington for the first time — whichever comes later.
What you gain when you elect coverage
- Peace of mind: Once you’re vested, you’re insured for long-term care up to $36,500 (grows over time with inflation) over your lifetime.
- Financial security: Unlike Medicaid, WA Cares doesn’t make you spend down your savings before coverage kicks in.
- Choice: You decide how and where to use your benefits.
Learn more and apply today on the WA Cares website.
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Learn about WA Cares
The Employment Security Department and the Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce invite you to a free, live webinar 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, June 18.
Join us and the state Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS) for an overview of WA Cares. We'll cover how benefits work, who’s eligible and what employers need to know.
This free webinar will take place on Zoom. When you register, you will get a confirmation email with connection instructions.
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We started mailing Paid Leave billing statements
In May, Paid Leave began mailing monthly billing statements to employers and elective coverage customers who owe $5 or more in past-due premiums. This information will help you stay current with your reports and payments and avoid unnecessary costs when we start assessing late fees in August.
Starting Aug. 1, 2026
We will apply a 1% monthly interest charge to overdue premium balances.
We will assess penalties on late reports:
- First late report = warning notice.
- Second late report = $75 penalty.
- Third late report = $150 penalty.
- Additional late reports = $250 penalty.
Note: Penalties and interest will apply to reports and premiums from Q2 2026 onward.
Get your statement on time
To ensure timely delivery of your statement, please log into your employer account to:
- Check that your business’ mailing address is correct. You can make changes to this information at any time.
- Review your premium reporting history and current balance. Reports are due every quarter, even if you do not have payroll.
- Submit any missing reports or payments.
Read more about billing statements and late fees on the Paid Leave website.
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Complete the PIN process for full access to your Paid Leave/WA Cares account
Employer accounts help you manage your responsibilities for Paid Leave and WA Cares. If you have limited access, you can submit your quarterly wage reports, view your wage submission history and make premium payments. Once you verify your account with a PIN, you’ll have full access and gain permission to:
- View information about your employees’ use of Paid Leave benefits.
- Apply for small-business assistance grants.
- Add additional users to help manage your account and complete tasks.
- Initiate and manage Power of Attorney (POA) links with your third-party administrator or payroll company.
- And more!
View the full list and read more about employer accounts on the Paid Leave website.
Verify your account
- Log into your employer account and verify that your mailing address is correct.
- Request a Personal Identification Number (PIN). We will mail this PIN to the mailing address we have on file. You should receive your PIN letter within 7 to 10 business days.
- Once your PIN letter arrives in the mail: Log into your employer account. Enter your case-sensitive PIN when prompted or after selecting the green “Request Full Account Access” tile on your homepage.
- Select “Next” to complete the process and gain full access.
Coming soon: You can provide end-of-quarter employee counts to Paid Leave
Starting June 26, you can submit end-of-quarter employee counts for your processed Paid Leave quarterly reports, beginning with 2026 Q1. You’ll be able to enter this number in your employer account.
Employee counts help us calculate your business size
On Sept. 30, we’ll calculate your 2027 business size by averaging your employee headcount from your previous four quarterly wage reports. If you provide employee counts, we’ll use those numbers in the calculation.
Providing your up-to-date quarterly employee count is optional. But it may help us more accurately calculate your business size if you have high staff turnover or seasonal staffing changes.
About business size
Business size determines whether you remit the employer portion of premiums or qualify for small-business assistance grants. Find more information for small businesses on the Paid Leave website.
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Register for the Hire-A-Vet Job & Resource Fair
Find your next great employee at this free, in-person event hosted by YesVets.
- When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 15.
- Where: Mount Tahoma High School, Tacoma.
Interview active duty, veterans, spouses and family members in all branches of the military.
Register by July 3 — two quick steps
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Join the YesVets program on our website at YesVets.org.
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Use our online form to report a new veteran hire. All you need to do is enter your contact information, the name of the veteran you hired and the hire date.
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Register for the job and resource fair using this online form.
Benefits of becoming a YesVets employer
YesVets employers get early invitations, priority registration and prime booth placement at job fairs like this one!
See a list of other benefits on the YesVets page of our website.
Join more than 2,300 YesVets employers who demonstrate their commitment to hiring, retaining and supporting veterans.
Build a talent pipeline for your business
If your organization is exploring internships, youth employment or partnerships with education institutions, start with this new infographic.
The Roadmap to ROI infographic on the Partnership for Learning website was developed with and for business leaders. It helps companies think through key planning and decision points for engaging with existing or launching new early-talent programs.
Employers play a critical role in building the future workforce. Learn more:
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Any time you need to respond to a notice from Employment Security, please use the phone number on that notice to reach the right team. If you do not contact the right team, we are not able to forward your call. Instead, we will give you the correct number to call.
If you have other questions related to unemployment taxes or benefits, about Paid Leave or WA Cares reporting, SharedWork and more, reach out! Find contact information by topic on the Employment Security website.
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This monthly newsletter contains important information for Washington employers.
If it is useful for others in your organization, such as a third party administrator, please forward and encourage them to subscribe.
Find past issues on the Employment Security website.
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