Emergency Managers get wrapped up in so many different types of issues. One of them being unemployment issues when disasters strike. The recent series of winter storms in the NW caused many people to miss work. This item from the Puget Sound Journal provides some clarification:
Washington clarifies storm-related unemployment benefits
Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle)
If a worker's employer was open during last week's snow storm that strangled Western Washington, but the worker was unable to get to work because of the weather, that worker isn't eligible for unemployment benefits.
The Washington state Employment Security Department said that if a worker's employer was closed for a week or more because of the weather, a worker may "potentially qualify for unemployment benefits."
Employees who lost pay because they couldn't get to work, if their employer remained open, aren't eligible for benefits, the state said.
State officials warn that "because of high call volumes, callers (to the unemployment office) may experience a long wait." To request backdated claims from last week, residents must call the state at 1-800-318-6022 because the state's online unemployment system can't handle backdated claims
