Title: Start a business on unemployment in Washington (2026) > Washington runs Self-Employment Assistance: keep your weekly unemployment benefit while you start a business. See what it adds up to, the rules and how to apply. Source: https://pontia.xyz/us/washington/ Checked: 25 September 2026 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. ## 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 Budgets built from your numbers, a clear plan, and the tools to build it. Free. [Start my plan](https://pontia.xyz/us/start?state=WA&scheme=us-seap-wa&status=applying&from=us-state-mid) ## 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](https://www.worksourcewa.com), so your plan and your search run side by side. ## Other help in Washington - [Washington DSHS Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)](https://www.dshs.wa.gov/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. Sources, checked September 25, 2026 - [Washington State Employment Security Department: unemployment](https://esd.wa.gov/get-financial-help/unemployment-benefits) - [Washington: work search rules](https://esd.wa.gov/get-financial-help/unemployment-benefits/weekly-unemployment-claims/job-search-requirements) - [Washington: self-employment and unemployment](https://esd.wa.gov/jobs-and-training/job-training-support/self-employment-assistance-program-seap) - [Washington: Self-Employment Assistance](https://esd.wa.gov/jobs-and-training/job-training-support/self-employment-assistance-program-seap) - [DOL: Significant Provisions of State UI Laws (July 2026)](https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/content/sigpros/2020-2029/July2026.pdf) Estimate and guidance only. Estimate and guidance only. Confirm with your benefit office, the official website or an adviser. Rules change, and your situation changes the outcome. Not a government service. Not financial, tax or legal advice. ## Your start-up support is a head start. Use it well. Plan your money, pick what you’ll build, and get the tools to build it. Free, and nobody sees your plan but you. [Sign up free](https://pontia.xyz/us/start?state=WA&scheme=us-seap-wa&status=applying&from=us-state-end) Free forever · No card · No hidden charges Cite this page "Start a business on unemployment in Washington (2026)", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/us/washington/ (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. 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