Labor Day marks start of expanded benefits for many unemployed workers seeking retraining

In 2000, the Legislature established a Training Benefits Program to help workers who have been laid off and unable to find work because of a declining demand for their occupation. The program essentially provides extended unemployment benefits while a worker is going back to school.

This past session, the Legislature approved Rep. Steve Conway's legislation that expanded the program to help more people as they seek retraining and new job skills. Starting Monday, September 7, these benefits will now be available to more people: workers who are disabled due to illness or injury, low-income workers who need training to qualify for a higher-paying job, and current or recently-discharged members of the Washington National Guard.

The additional benefits provide 26 weeks of unemployment benefits while the worker is in training. You can find out more information about the program here.