![\"Sen.](\"https:\/\/dev2.sdc.wastateleg.org\/alpha\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/05\/2020-05-15-Mask-Photo-RESIZED-225x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDear neighbors,<\/p>\n
I hope this message finds you and your loved ones healthy and safe. As the state starts to consider the transition to reopening, please remember that in order to avoid another spike in infection rates, we have to stay the course by staying home to stay healthy.<\/p>\n
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The scientific data tells us if we were to lift all restrictions right now or even two weeks from now, the decline in cases would almost certainly stop and the spread of COVID-19 would increase. That would set everything back, which would bring more illnesses and more deaths, and businesses would remain closed for even longer.<\/p>\n
King County residents have been directed to wear face coverings in most public settings beginning May 18. As a community, it’s our job to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19. Even if you have no symptoms, you may still be a carrier of the virus who could spread it to others.<\/strong><\/p>\n Starting now, show the people in your community that their health matters to you, even if you are not concerned for your own. Do others the courtesy of wearing a mask to protect them and their families.<\/p>\n Learn more about the King County directive here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n #1\u00a0 <\/strong>The eviction moratorium<\/strong><\/a> does not forgive rent amounts you owe<\/strong>. Paying rent will help you avoid eviction after the moratorium is lifted.<\/p>\n #2\u00a0 <\/strong>Tenants who keep paying rent free up resources for landlords to give a break to neighbors who can’t pay due to income loss.<\/p>\n #3\u00a0 <\/strong>Willful failure to pay could end up getting you evicted later, which will limit your ability to rent a home in the future.<\/p>\n #4\u00a0 <\/strong>Eviction courts are unlikely to give you a break if you had the ability to pay rent and did not.<\/p>\n #5\u00a0 <\/strong>Smaller landlords are also struggling during this time, and if they are forced to sell their properties because they\u2019re not receiving rent, even more of the rental market could end up dominated by large corporate landlords.<\/p>\n #6<\/strong>\u00a0 Landlords have costs to keep properties open, healthy and safe, including:<\/p>\n Reach out to your landlord or property manager. In writing, explain your situation and request an accommodation. Here are some ideas:<\/p>\n And remember:<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: If you are in subsidized housing, contact your local housing authority or your property manager to recalculate your rent due to your change in income.<\/p>\n If your landlord evicts you or threatens to evict you in violation of the moratorium, report it here<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong>(Form is in English and Spanish).<\/p>\n Call\u00a02-1-1 Washington Information Network\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>for current information about agencies providing rental assistance. Keep in mind that several rental assistance programs can only be accessed through a 2-1-1 telephone screening.<\/p>\n Tip:\u00a0<\/strong>If agencies report that funds are not currently available, ask when they will receive funding again so that you can contact them at that time.<\/p>\n At this point, 810,000 people, or one in five of the estimated 3.6 million working Washingtonians, have applied for unemployment benefits since the start of this crisis. Of those, two thirds have received payments.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why I want to share information and recommendations from the Employment Security Department to help you or those you know obtain the full benefits for which you or they might be eligible.<\/p>\n #1<\/strong>\u00a0 File your claims every week.<\/strong> Many people who are eligible and qualified for benefits haven\u2019t filed weekly claims. If you\u2019ve already applied for unemployment benefits but have not yet filed a weekly claim, be sure to file your weekly claim and check this useful information<\/a> <\/strong>out first before doing so. That will ensure you get through as smoothly as possible.<\/p>\n #2\u00a0 Apply for expanded benefits.<\/strong> If you applied for regular unemployment insurance and were deemed ineligible, you may be eligible for the new expanded unemployment benefit called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). On the ESD website, go to your e-services account and if the \u201cPUA\u201d link is there, you may be eligible. Check out this guide<\/a><\/strong> before you apply.<\/p>\n #3\u00a0 Answer the phone.<\/strong> The Employment Security Department (ESD) team members are reaching out and calling people to resolve their cases.<\/p>\n #4\u00a0 Check your spam filter<\/strong> for emails and check your e-services account for notes from ESD asking for information. In some cases, they\u2019ve reached out and haven\u2019t heard back.<\/p>\n #5\u00a0 Be prepared if you\u2019re new to making a claim. Use the ESD materials<\/a> <\/strong>like the checklist and the guide \u2013 these will help. Also make sure that the information is correct before you submit the application.<\/p>\n #6\u00a0 Tell the truth.<\/strong> As you fill out, for example, your weekly claim \u2013 make sure you\u2019re truthful. If asked whether you\u2019ve been offered work, answer truthfully. If you refused the offer, state why. While it\u2019s possible you\u2019ll no longer be eligible for benefits, if you still have a\u00a0 COVID-19 reason why you are unable to go into the workplace, such as kids home from a school that\u2019s closed due to COVID-19, you may still be eligible for benefits. Here\u2019s more information.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n #7\u00a0 Rest assured.<\/strong> The money will not run out and you will not miss out. There have been rumors\/concerns that the money will run out before someone can obtain their benefits, but the money will not run out AND benefits will be paid retroactively to the date of eligibility. Even if you go back to work, you\u2019ll be able to get benefits for all the weeks for which you were eligible.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve applied and your claim is \u201cin adjudication\u201d, the ESD just launched Operation 100% to quickly catch up on cases that need adjudication. Here\u2019s their webpage<\/a> <\/strong>with more information.<\/p>\n Has someone obtained your identity from some other source and then used it to apply for unemployment benefits? This page on ESD\u2019s site<\/a><\/strong> has the information you need to report it. If you run a business and have seen this happen to multiple employees, ESD can also obtain the information in bulk from you and will soon have a template up on that same webpage. In the meantime, you can reach them via their email here: esdfraud@esd.wa.gov<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We\u2019ve been successful in slowing the spread of the virus because the people of Washington have stepped up and sacrificed for each other to save lives. I know this is lasting much longer than we expected, but it\u2019s important to stay the course and keep up the keep up the good work to protect the health of all Washingtonians.<\/p>\n My office welcomes your thoughts and concerns, so please feel free to reach out and let us know what issues are important to you and your community at this time.<\/p>\n Sincerely,<\/p>\n Sen. Rebecca Salda\u00f1a<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Get More <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Follow me on Facebook<\/a><\/strong> for more frequent updates.<\/p>\nPaying Rent in Times of COVID-19<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Pay your rent if you can. Here’s why:<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
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\u00a0If you can’t pay your rent:<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
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Rental Assistance Programs<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
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Unemployment Insurance Updates<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Top tips:<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n