Free · official rates · checked September 25, 2026
Starting a business on unemployment in Washington
Good news: Washington lets you keep your weekly benefit while you build a business full time, with no work search. Check what it adds up to.
Each week, no work search
$0
your unemployment benefit
Over 26 weeks
$0
business earnings are deducted in this state
Work search waived, but net business earnings are reported and can reduce your benefit. Until you’re accepted, keep searching for work every week.
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Self-Employment Assistance in Washington
Yes. Washington runs Self-Employment Assistance: you keep your weekly unemployment benefit while you start a business full time, with no work search. Work search waived, but net business earnings are reported and can reduce your benefit.
How self-employment affects your benefit
Report net self-employment income (earnings minus costs) and all self-employment hours every week. Any week you work 40+ hours in self-employment, a wage job or both, you are not unemployed. Outside SEAP you must stay available for, and look for, wage work other than your business.
Your weekly benefit is reduced by 75% of earnings over $5 (RCW 50.20.130); ESD publishes an earnings deduction chart.
Make every month of your support count
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Your weekly job search
Three approved job search activities each week (employer contacts or WorkSource activities), recorded in a written job search log. Keep the log for 30 days after your benefit year ends or you stop claiming, whichever is later, and set up a WorkSourceWA account if you live in Washington.
Pontia keeps your job-search record for you and links to WorkSourceWA, so your plan and your search run side by side.
Other help in Washington
- Washington DSHS Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR): Under WAC 388-891A-0785, DVR self-employment services include consultation, technical assistance and start-up costs for a small business. You agree to report business income for up to a year after case closure (https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=388-891A&full=true).
- Medicaid: Washington expanded Medicaid, so the new work requirement applies to expansion adults: 80 hours or $580 net a month, and hours on your business count. Starts 1 Jan 2027 for Apple Health for Adults (80 hours/month of work, school, training or volunteering, or an exemption), alongside 6-month renewals; self-attestation accepted in 2027.
- SBA Microloans of up to $50,000, and free advice from your local SBDC and SCORE mentors.
- On SSI or SSDI: PASS and the SSDI trial work period let you test a business.
Questions
Can I collect unemployment while starting a business in Washington?+
Yes. Washington runs Self-Employment Assistance: you keep your weekly unemployment benefit while you start a business full time, with no work search. Work search waived, but net business earnings are reported and can reduce your benefit. Report net self-employment income (earnings minus costs) and all self-employment hours every week. Any week you work 40+ hours in self-employment, a wage job or both, you are not unemployed. Outside SEAP you must stay available for, and look for, wage work other than your business.
How many job contacts a week does Washington require?+
Three approved job search activities each week (employer contacts or WorkSource activities), recorded in a written job search log. Keep the log for 30 days after your benefit year ends or you stop claiming, whichever is later, and set up a WorkSourceWA account if you live in Washington.
How much is unemployment in Washington?+
Between $383 and $1,208 a week in 2026, for up to 1-26 weeks. Your own amount is on your monetary determination.
What other help is there to start a business in Washington?+
Free advice from your local SBDC and SCORE mentors, SBA microloans of up to $50,000, and, if you have a disability, Washington DSHS Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) can fund a self-employment plan. On SSI or SSDI, PASS and the trial work period let you test a business.
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Cite this page
"Start a business on unemployment in Washington (2026)", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/us/washington/ (updated September 25, 2026)
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