Washington DC Unemployment Insurance

Washington DC unemployment insurance is handled by the Department of Employment Services (DOES). The insurance provides temporary benefits to those residing in the District of Columbia and who are unemployed through no fault of their own and who are willing and able to work.

Unemployment benefits help to minimize the hardships associated with unemployment. They also help to enable purchasing power of the unemployed, which in turn, supports the local economy and stabilizes the workforce so that local workers are available when employers are ready to hire.

The cost of Washington DC unemployment insurance is paid for by employers who pay state and federal taxes on a percentage of the wages paid to each employee during the year. This tax is paid to DOES on the first $9,000 of wages that is paid for each employee and it, in turn, funds the unemployment benefits.

If your employer paid unemployment insurance taxes, you may qualify for Washington DC unemployment benefits. You need to, however, pass a series of eligibility criteria before you receive any benefits. The best way to do this is to file for unemployment, although it is crucial to first understand the eligibility criteria.