Job search requirements for Washington unemployment applications are back into effect

Starting in early July, the state will be bringing back the job search requirement for those who want to stay eligible for unemployment benefits. 

This means you will be required to look for work and document at least three approved job search activities each week in order to remain eligible for unemployment benefits, according to the Washington State Employment Securement Department (ESD).

ESD says those who want to remain eligible for unemployment must begin their job search activities the week of July 4-July 10. You must report those activities starting the week of July 11, and every week you need benefits after that.

Gov. Jay Inslee had suspended the job-search requirement last spring during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"With the economy recovering, the job search requirement is going back into effect," the Employment Security Department noted on its unemployment website. "This means you will be required to look for work and document at least three approved job search activities each week in order to remain eligible for unemployment benefits."

The change comes as the department reported the third straight weekly decline in jobless claims.

Last week, Washingtonians filed 8,868 new, or "initial," claims for unemployment benefits, a 12.1% decrease from the prior week, the department reported Thursday.

Find more information here. 

Stay connected with Q13 News on all platforms:

DOWNLOAD: Q13 News and Weather Apps
WATCH: Q13 News Live
SUBSCRIBE: Q13 FOX on YouTube
FOLLOW: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The Associated Press contributed to this report.