Washington Revised Code Title 50. Unemployment Compensation § 50.12.050. Reciprocal benefit arrangements

As used in this section the terms “other state” and “another state” shall be deemed to include any state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and any foreign government and, where applicable, shall also be deemed to include the federal government or provisions of a law of the federal government, as the case may be.

As used in this section the term “claim” shall be deemed to include whichever of the following terms is applicable, to wit: “Application for initial determination”, “claim for waiting period credit”, or “claim for benefits”.

The commissioner shall enter into an agreement with any other state whereby in the event an individual files a claim in another state against wages earned in employment in this state, or against wage credits earned in this state and in any other state or who files a claim in this state against wage credits earned in employment in any other state, or against wages earned in this state and in any other state, the claim will be paid by this state or another state as designated by the agreement in accordance with a determination on the claim as provided by the agreement and pursuant to the qualification and disqualification provisions of this title or under the provisions of the law of the designated paying state (including another state) or under such a combination of the provisions of both laws as shall be determined by the commissioner as being fair and reasonable to all affected interests, and whereby the wages of such individual, if earned in two or more states (including another state) may be combined, and further, whereby this state or another state shall reimburse the paying state in an amount which shall bear the same ratio to the amount of benefits already paid as the amount of wage credits transferred by this state or another state, and used in the determination, bear to the total wage credits used in computing the claimant's maximum amount of benefits potentially payable.

Whenever any claim is filed by an individual involving the combination of wages or a reciprocal arrangement for the payment of benefits, which is governed by the provisions of this section, the employment security department of this state, when not designated as the paying state, shall promptly make a report to the other state making the determination, showing wages earned in employment in this state.

The commissioner is hereby authorized to make to another state and to receive from another state reimbursements from or to the unemployment compensation fund in accordance with arrangements made pursuant to the provisions of this section.