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Agency 540
Employment Security Department
RCW 39.34, 50.01, 50.08, 50.12, 50.16, 50.38

Current Law Budget

Return to Governor Lowry's Proposed Budget

Request $413,189,761
Net change from current biennium $3,054,018 Increase
Percent change from current biennium 0.7% Increase


The Employment Security Department operates Washington's largest job matching service for employers and job seekers, provides unemployment insurance benefits, administers federal job training funds, and publishes comprehensive labor market information, including employment and unemployment statistics. The majority of these activities are federally funded through the United States Department of Labor.

The goal of the Department is to provide unemployment insurance, job placement, employment training services, and labor market information.



Links to Program Level Detail

Employment Services

Unemployment Insurance

Public Employees OASI Administration

Job Opportunities and Basic Skills

State Programs

Job Training Partnership Act


Agency Level Summary

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Operating Budget: Summary
1995-97 Appropriations Appropriated Funds Expenditures
Amount Estimated Balance 1993-95 Actual 1995-97 Estimated 1997-99 Proposed
6,113,000 General Fund - Basic Account - State 1,947,576 6,113,000
191,664,123 28,206,321 General Fund - Basic Account - Federal 132,600,723 163,457,802 173,654,010
2,000,000 General Fund - Basic Account - Federal Unanticipated 20,622,833 2,000,000
22,584,040 General Fund - Basic Account - Private/Local 19,909,221 22,584,040 24,866,463
2,168,884 General Fund - Basic Account - Private/Local Unanticipated 3,700,000 2,168,884
Industrial Insurance Premium Refund - State 30,000
40,000 American W/Disabilities Spec Revolv - State 60,464 40,000
183,178,142 Unemployment Compensation Admin - Federal 149,646,966 183,178,142 183,832,266
Unemployment Compensation Admin - Federal Unanticipated 29,679,469
9,012,021 575,210 Administrative Contingency Account - State 8,436,811 13,417,088
Administrative Contingency Account - Federal 7,536,392
12,712,322 Employment Services Administrative - State 12,712,322 13,681,034
Employment Services Administrative - Federal 10,872,069
9,444,742 Employment & Training Trust Account - State 7,790,043 9,444,742 3,738,900

438,917,274


28,781,531

Total Appropriated Funds

384,395,756


410,135,743


413,189,761


Operating Budget: Summary by Object

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
Salaries And Wages 77,816,198 80,837,003 81,632,373 87,928,681 86,696,945
Employee Benefits 22,612,027 22,991,085 23,218,795 25,587,360 25,264,339
Personal Service Contracts 5,056,634 2,190,781 1,641,290 2,531,941 1,252,014
Goods And Services 28,211,097 30,578,861 31,627,671 31,327,197 30,535,320
Travel 1,442,719 1,278,407 1,334,344 1,491,694 1,440,237
Capital Outlays 8,168,747 4,161,101 5,066,399 5,162,002 1,207,726
Grants, Benefits & Client Services 90,183,300 88,954,913 90,307,320 79,039,522 78,676,643
Debt Service 385,968 585,565 576,878 925,136 1,938,224
Interagency Reimbursements (26,111,857) (28,529,495) (28,317,548) (23,901,924) (23,913,296)

Annual Total

207,764,833


203,048,221


207,087,522


210,091,609


203,098,152


Operating Budget: Program Summary

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
Employment Services 36,745,261 36,998,178 40,216,223 42,390,957 41,968,007
Unemployment Insurance 78,746,932 79,488,143 80,612,910 81,529,109 74,932,280
Public Employees OASI Admin 111,745 108,192 100,955 102,451 102,709
State Programs 5,221,585 3,267,642 3,121,086 5,795,710 5,797,864
Job Training Partnership Act 86,939,310 83,186,066 83,036,348 80,273,382 80,297,292
Annual Total

207,764,833


203,048,221


207,087,522


210,091,609


203,098,152

Fiscal Year 1993-94 176,630,923
Biennium Total

384,395,756


410,135,743


413,189,761


Operating Budget: Change from Preceding Biennium

1993-95 Actual 1995-97 Estimated 1997-99 Proposed
Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent
Employment Services 8,995,996 14.8% 7,404,949 10.6% 7,144,563 9.3%
Unemployment Insurance 26,396,466 21.4% 10,398,696 6.9% (3,639,664) (2.3)%
Public Employees OASI Admin 7,054 3.7% 13,399 6.8% (3,987) (1.9)%
Job Opportun and Basic Skills (106,837) (100.0)%
State Programs 2,861,442 38.5% (3,904,366) (37.9)% 5,204,846 81.5%
Job Training Partnership Act 16,023,860 11.6% 11,827,309 7.7% (5,651,740) (3.4)%

Total

54,177,981


16.4%


25,739,987


6.7%


3,054,018


0.7%


Employment Summary

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
FTE Staff Years 2,347.2 2,315.1 2,301.8 2,240.0 2,204.9
Average FTE Staff Year Costs 33,153 34,917 35,465 39,254 39,320


Agency Local Funds

Unemployment Compensation Fund
The Unemployment Compensation Fund consists of contributions collected pursuant to the Employment Security Act and money received from the federal unemployment account in the Unemployment Trust Fund in accordance with Title XII of the Social Security Act.
Federal Unemployment Compensation Fund
The Federal Unemployment Compensation Fund consists of all monies received from the federal government for payment of unemployment compensation benefits. Within the fund, the Title V Benefit Payment Account and the WIN Allowances Account are maintained.


Statement of Local Fund Balances

6/30/95 Fund Balance 6/30/97 Estimated Fund Balance 1997-1999 Estimated Revenues 1997-1999 Estimated Expenditures 6/30/99 Estimated Fund Balance
Non-Budgeted Funds
Unemployment Compensation Fund 1,452,845,472 1,497,327,063 5,462,000,000 5,537,000,000 1,422,327,063
Federal Unemployment Coompensation Fund (3,470,079) 2,500 67,619,200 67,619,200 2,500
Total Non-Budgeted Funds

1,449,375,393


1,497,329,563


5,529,619,200


5,604,619,200


1,422,329,563



Program Level Detail

Employment Services

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The Employment Services program includes all federally funded employment service activities except those funded by the Job Training Partnership Act and the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) program. It also includes services funded by interagency agreements and the Claimant Placement program. This program focuses on assisting unemployment insurance claimants in returning to work.

The program objective is to assist applicants in finding work and to assist employers in filling job openings through a system of public employment offices, collaborative and integrated service delivery sites with partner organizations, and self-service access points.


Program Employment

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
FTE Staff Years 553.5 521.9 521.9 610.2 623.6
Average FTE Staff Year Costs 32,669 34,487 35,307 38,433 38,583


Expenditure Detail

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
Salaries and Benefits 23,270,320 23,065,866 23,614,310 30,300,518 31,092,196
Grants and Subsidies 7,079,764 8,152,529 9,670,075 6,624,213 6,624,212
Other Operating Costs 6,395,177 5,779,783 6,931,838 5,466,226 4,251,599

Annual Total

36,745,261


36,998,178


40,216,223


42,390,957


41,968,007

Fiscal Year 1993-94 33,064,191
Biennium Total

69,809,452


77,214,401


84,358,964


Source of Funds

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
General Fund - Basic Account - Federal 8,237,434 14,429,786 12,543,311 15,131,356 15,291,940
General Fund - Basic Account - Federal Unanticipated 980,406
Industrial Insurance Premium Refund - State 30,000
American W/Disabilities Spec Revolv - State 15,448 8,758 31,242
Unemployment Compensation Admin - Federal 21,558,878 16,600,902 20,888,080 20,121,077 20,133,557
Employment Services Administrative - State 5,958,732 6,753,590 7,138,524 6,542,510
Employment Services Administrative - Federal 5,923,095

Annual Total

36,745,261


36,998,178


40,216,223


42,390,957


41,968,007




Unemployment Insurance

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Unemployment Insurance operates under both state and federal laws and guidelines. The system is financed by a tax on the payroll of employers covered under state and federal laws. The program promotes economic security for individuals, their families, and their communities and assists employers to maintain a stable work force.

The program's objectives are to pay benefits and to collect taxes and overpayments timely and equitably.


Program Employment

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
FTE Staff Years 1,192.6 1,196.3 1,196.5 1,098.4 1,049.9
Average FTE Staff Year Costs 32,682 34,603 34,884 38,609 38,643


Expenditure Detail

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
Salaries and Benefits 50,125,063 53,027,235 53,467,292 54,782,634 52,427,691
Grants and Subsidies 205,556 578,315 570,657 433,852 70,978
Other Operating Costs 28,416,313 25,882,593 26,574,961 26,312,623 22,433,611

Annual Total

78,746,932


79,488,143


80,612,910


81,529,109


74,932,280

Fiscal Year 1993-94 70,955,425
Biennium Total

149,702,357


160,101,053


156,461,389


Source of Funds

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
General Fund - Basic Account - State 2,556
Unemployment Compensation Admin - Federal 55,320,785 73,387,822 72,301,338 72,378,898 71,198,734
Unemployment Compensation Admin - Federal Unanticipated 13,592,744
Administrative Contingency Account - State 2,530,984 2,436,167 5,411,311 3,733,546
Administrative Contingency Account - Federal 2,445,101
Employment & Training Trust Account - State 7,385,746 3,569,337 5,875,405 3,738,900

Annual Total

78,746,932


79,488,143


80,612,910


81,529,109


74,932,280




Public Employees OASI Administration

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The Public Employees Old Age Survivors Insurance (OASI) Administration program determines appropriate coverage for all state agencies and political subdivisions of the state. The state is still responsible for assisting state and local entities in the refund process; processing wage adjustments; establishing new accounts; and providing entities with information and technical assistance.

The program objectives are to execute agreements with uncovered state, local, and political subdivisions of the state, and to collect and reconcile adjustments due for OASI within the three-year, three-month statute of limitations.


Program Employment

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
FTE Staff Years 2.0 1.7 1.7 1.5 1.5
Average FTE Staff Year Costs 37,587 38,941 38,941 44,976 44,976


Expenditure Detail

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
Salaries and Benefits 96,859 85,008 85,008 87,120 87,120
Other Operating Costs 14,886 23,184 15,947 15,331 15,589

Annual Total

111,745


108,192


100,955


102,451


102,709

Fiscal Year 1993-94 84,003
Biennium Total

195,748


209,147


205,160


Source of Funds - General Fund - Basic Account - Private/Local




Job Opportunities and Basic Skills

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The Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) program helps recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) gain the skills they need to become employed. Job search assistance and work related education and training opportunities coupled with support services, such as transportation reimbursement and tuition assistance, are provided. In addition, assistance with child care and medical coverage is provided not only during program participation but for a full year following employment as well.

The objective of the program is to assist AFDC recipients leave welfare through work.


Program Employment

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
FTE Staff Years 293.7 290.5 277.0 233.0 233.0
Average FTE Staff Year Costs 35,453 36,641 37,404 42,493 42,493


Expenditure Detail

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
Salaries and Benefits 13,424,801 13,645,113 13,281,767 12,791,960 12,791,960
Grants and Subsidies 6,472,719 6,630,090 6,630,100 4,686,020 4,686,020
Other Operating Costs (19,897,520) (20,275,203) (19,911,867) (17,477,980) (17,477,980)

Annual Total
Biennium Total





State Programs

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This program encompasses several unique projects. Projects include Washington Service Corps, Corrections Clearinghouse programs, and AmeriCorps.

The objective is to serve the various client groups through a variety of special programs.


Program Employment

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
FTE Staff Years 38.5 36.8 36.8 34.9 34.9
Average FTE Staff Year Costs 36,133 38,637 38,796 42,428 42,428


Expenditure Detail

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
Salaries and Benefits 1,998,643 1,982,288 1,990,490 1,913,136 1,914,988
Grants and Subsidies 5,415,958 4,881,509 4,724,018 3,132,231 3,132,231
Other Operating Costs (2,193,016) (3,596,155) (3,593,422) 750,343 750,645

Annual Total

5,221,585


3,267,642


3,121,086


5,795,710


5,797,864

Fiscal Year 1993-94 5,071,509
Biennium Total

10,293,094


6,388,728


11,593,574


Source of Funds

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
General Fund - Basic Account - State 1,168,510 334,000 334,000
General Fund - Basic Account - Federal 848,429 819,650 1,166,915 3,427,655 3,428,456
General Fund - Basic Account - Federal Unanticipated 1,012,145
General Fund - Basic Account - Private/Local 120,932 125,407 139,096 232,473 232,759
American W/Disabilities Spec Revolv - State 3
Administrative Contingency Account - State 1,988,585 1,481,075 2,135,582 2,136,649
Administrative Contingency Account - Federal 2,071,566

Annual Total

5,221,585


3,267,642


3,121,086


5,795,710


5,797,864




Job Training Partnership Act

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The Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) provides training and employment services to disadvantaged adults and youth and to dislocated workers (those unlikely to be hired in their previously held occupation). Federal funds are allocated to the states, and then to local Service Delivery Areas (SDAs), on the basis of formulas established by federal law. The Employment Security Department serves as an oversight body ensuring adherence to federal rules. Additionally, the Department directly administers the dislocated worker program (Title III) with a portion of the funds passing through to the SDAs.

The objective of the JTPA program is to provide education and training to increase the employability prospects of youth and to employ or reemploy adults.


Program Employment

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
FTE Staff Years 266.9 267.9 267.9 262.0 262.0
Average FTE Staff Year Costs 33,266 34,755 35,880 40,532 40,521


Expenditure Detail

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
Salaries and Benefits 11,512,539 12,022,578 12,412,301 13,640,673 13,647,329
Grants and Subsidies 71,009,303 68,712,470 68,712,470 64,163,206 64,163,202
Other Operating Costs 4,417,468 2,451,018 1,911,577 2,469,503 2,486,761

Annual Total

86,939,310


83,186,066


83,036,348


80,273,382


80,297,292

Fiscal Year 1993-94 67,455,795
Biennium Total

154,395,105


166,222,414


160,570,674


Source of Funds

1994-95 Actual 1995-96 Estimated 1996-97 Estimated 1997-98 Proposed 1998-99 Proposed
General Fund - Basic Account - State 500,000 4,945,000
General Fund - Basic Account - Federal 54,390,655 67,895,515 66,602,625 68,177,864 68,196,739
General Fund - Basic Account - Federal Unanticipated 18,360,902 2,000,000
General Fund - Basic Account - Private/Local 10,487,753 11,706,109 10,404,281 12,095,518 12,100,553
General Fund - Basic Account - Private/Local Unanticipated 3,700,000 1,084,442 1,084,442

Annual Total

86,939,310


83,186,066


83,036,348


80,273,382


80,297,292