Title: What is Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), Washington? > Train full time with an approved SEAP provider while on unemployment, with work search waived for up to 52 weeks. Unlike other states, your net self-employ Source: https://pontia.xyz/us/guide/seap-wa/ Checked: 25 September 2026 Keep an incomeJob search until approved # What is Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), Washington? Train full time with an approved SEAP provider while on unemployment, with work search waived for up to 52 weeks. Unlike other states, your net self-employment earnings are reported and can reduce your benefit. ## The key facts - Work search, availability and job-refusal rules waived for up to 52 weeks - Net self-employment earnings are reported; 40+ hours a week in the business counts as not unemployed - Profile score above 30.6 (2026 applicants) or eligible for Commissioner-Approved Training - Keep searching for work until approved (3 to 5 weeks) ## Before you’re approved Job search required ### Job search Until you are accepted in writing, you are on regular unemployment: keep searching for work every week. ### What you must do to keep getting it - Enrol full time with an approved SEAP provider; approval takes 3 to 5 weeks. Report net self-employment earnings: they can reduce your benefit. - Do NOT start trading before written acceptance. **If you take or turn down a job:** Refusing suitable work can disqualify you from benefits. Only apply for jobs you would take. ## While you’re on it No job search required ### Job search Once accepted, the work search, availability and job-refusal rules are waived. You work full time on the business. ### What you must do to keep getting it - Keep certifying every week and complete the required training and counseling. - Missing training or milestones can cost you weeks of benefit or your place. ### If you earn money Unlike other states, your net self-employment earnings are reported and can reduce your weekly benefit, and 40+ hours a week in the business counts as not unemployed. **If you take or turn down a job:** Taking a job ends Self-Employment Assistance; report it when you certify. ## The other route You can’t be on both at once. Compare them before you choose. - [What is Unemployment insurance while you look for work?Your state pays unemployment insurance while you look for work. You search for work every week and report any …](https://pontia.xyz/us/guide/ui-searching/)[Compare side by side →](https://pontia.xyz/us/compare/seap-wa-vs-ui-searching/) ## Add this to my plan We’ll track your must-dos and deadlines for you, and keep your job-search record. [Add this to my plan](https://pontia.xyz/us/start/?from=guide&scheme=us-seap-wa&status=applying&state=WA) Free forever · No card · No hidden charges Sources, checked September 25, 2026 - [esd.wa.gov/jobs-and-training/job-training-support/self-employment-assistance-program-seap](https://esd.wa.gov/jobs-and-training/job-training-support/self-employment-assistance-program-seap) - [law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/3306](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/3306) - [oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/pdf/Factsheet\_SEA.pdf](https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/pdf/Factsheet_SEA.pdf) This guide explains the official rules in plain words. It isn’t advice about your own claim: your adviser decides. Not a government service. Not financial, tax or legal advice. Cite this page "What is Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), Washington?", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/us/guide/seap-wa/ (updated September 25, 2026) ## Related guides and tools - [Start your business without risking your benefits](https://pontia.xyz/us/) - [Your unemployment work search log, done in minutes](https://pontia.xyz/us/unemployment-work-search-log/) - [Start a business on unemployment: your state](https://pontia.xyz/us/self-employment-assistance-calculator/) - [Between school and work? Build something that’s yours.](https://pontia.xyz/us/young-people/) - [US Unemployment Work Search Index 2026](https://pontia.xyz/us/datasets/us-work-search-index/) - [US federal support for starting a business in figures, 2026](https://pontia.xyz/us/datasets/us-startup-support/) - [Unemployment insurance while you look for work vs Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), New York](https://pontia.xyz/us/compare/ui-searching-vs-sea-ny/) - [Unemployment insurance while you look for work vs Self-Employment Assistance, Oregon](https://pontia.xyz/us/compare/ui-searching-vs-sea-or/) - [Unemployment insurance while you look for work vs Self-Employment Assistance Program, Mississippi](https://pontia.xyz/us/compare/ui-searching-vs-sea-ms/) --- Pontia is free and independent. It is not a government service and not financial, tax, legal or benefits advice; always check the official source linked on the page. Some tool links are affiliate links: we may earn a fee at no cost to you, and free options come first. Contact: hello@pontia.xyz Cite as: "What is Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), Washington?", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/us/guide/seap-wa/ (updated 25 September 2026) Whole site in one file: https://pontia.xyz/llms-full.txt