Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
State to waive waiting period for unemployment benefits
OLYMPIA — Residents who become unemployed due to government actions to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 coronovirus won’t have to worry about being evicted, at least for the next month.
During a press conference this afternoon, March 18, Gov. Jay Inslee said he signed an order preventing landlords from evicting people who fall behind on rent after being sent home from work due the “WuFlu” pandemic.
“I’m issue a statewide moratorium on evictions for failure to pay rent for the next 30 days,” the governor said.
Inslee also penned a letter to the federal government and President Trump asking for the same relief from mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The governor said the state is facing some “choppy economic waters” ahead.
“When you’re going through hell, keep going,” he said, quoting his father.
To get through the tough times, Inslee said those who lose their jobs due to virus-related actions will be able to obtain unemployment. And they won’t be subject to the normal waiting week for benefits.
“We’re waiving the one-week time period,” he said. “This will help money get into the unemployed Washingtonians’ pocket.”
Inslee said he’s also asked utilities to help those workers out by waiving late fees, offering payment plans instead of shutting off services and expanding payment assistance.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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