Demand for WA paid family leave benefits is overwhelming staff, agency says

Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program keeps growing, but its staff and resources do not, leaving applicants with delays for benefits and long waits for customer service.

The Employment Security Department wants to hire 98 new employees over the next two years in response. It’s a roughly $23 million ask. The new employees will help answer phones, process applications and assist employers with paperwork and questions.

“Despite recent staffing increases, the program is not adequately staffed based on current application volumes,” department officials wrote in a budget request to the governor.

Funding for new employees would come from the money the program raises, but the department needs approval from the governor and the Legislature to use their funds in this way. They’ve submitted their request to the governor who could include it in his proposed budget for the next two years. The Legislature has the final say on a budget for state programs through June 2027.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/09/17/demand-for-wa-paid-family-leave-benefits-is-overwhelming-staff-agency-says/