Safe Start guidance (Washington State)

1. Safe Start Washington plan  
   What you need to know 
2. Industry-specific guidance 
3. Free safety consultations for businesses  (Labor and Industries)

Visit King County’s Safe Start page.

New unemployment benefits

As of Saturday, April 18, Washington is making unemployment benefits available to people who are self-employed or independent contractors. See recommended steps for filing for unemployment benefits under “Employment Insurance Benefits (unemployment)” below.

New state unemployment benefits  

SBA coronavirus website

• SBA funding programs
• SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), including Advance
• SBA Customer Service Center (for EIDL):
  
  • DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov
  • 1-800-659-2955
• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
• If your bank/lender isn’t offering PPP, find a lender here or on this list of local SBA lenders 

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) borrower information sheet 
• CARES Act assistance for small businesses

This Farm King County page lists and links to grants, loans, relief programs such as payment delays or late fee forgiveness, and resources and services for emergency planning.

Be prepared before you apply, and expect delays in speaking to someone in person.

Key steps to prepare and apply:

1. Stay up to date. If you haven’t already, sign up for COVID-19 action alerts from the Washington State Employment Security Department.
2. Check your eligibility. Learn more about your eligibility and when to apply for benefits using the new eligibility checker. We are encouraging those eligible for regular unemployment to apply now, and newly eligible to wait until after April 18.
3. Get ready to apply. Download the application checklist and read about your application process.
4. You’ll need a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account in order to apply.
   • Watch this nine-minute tutorial video to set up your account correctly—it could save you a lot of time.
   • Sign up for a Secure Access Washington Account now so you’ll be ready to apply when the updated system is online.

• COVID-19 handbook for creative industries
• King County CREATIVE Facebook page
• Contact:
  
  • CreativeEconomy@kingcounty.gov
  •  206-263-3719 (Relay 711)