File Unemployment

The unemployment rate in Washington state stayed the same in April as it was in March. April’s unemployment rate was 9.1 percent.

It’s the first time the rate didn’t rise in more than a year, state officials said. In Seattle, the unemployment rate actually decreased in April to 7.9 percent from 8 percent a month earlier. In April 2008, the unemployment rate in Seattle was 4.3 percent.

According to the Washington Employment Security Department, there were 200 fewer unemployed people in the state last month compared with March.

The largest monthly declines were in professional and business services, down 4,300 jobs, manufacturing, which lost 3,800 jobs, and construction, down 3,000 jobs. The only major sectors that did not shed jobs between March and April were government, up 2,400 jobs, leisure and hospitality, up 700, financial activities, which gained 400 jobs, education and health services, up 200, and transportation and warehousing, up 100 jobs.

The state lost 116,100 jobs from April 2008 to April 2009, a 3.9 percent decrease. Some 43 percent of the losses occurred since January 2009. Nationally, employment declined by 3.8 percent over the past year.

An estimated 322,219 people (not seasonally adjusted) in Washington were unemployed and looking for work in April, with about 217,065 receiving unemployment benefits.

Laid-off workers can apply for unemployment benefits online at esd.wa.gov or call 800-318-6022.

In addition to training programs, unemployed workers can get help looking for work at Employment Security’s affiliated WorkSource offices across the state, where a variety of employment services are offered, including free help with interviewing skills or résumés and with job referrals. WorkSource offices are listed online at www.go2worksource.com. In addition, more than 14,000 current job openings are posted at www.go2worksource.com.

Note: If you are looking to file for unemployment benefits, please refer to the guides on the side menu