Self Employment Assistance Program (SEAP)
The Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP) is a Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) training program that gives unemployed workers the opportunity to continue receiving Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits while creating new businesses and job opportunities for other workers through self-employment. If you received a SEAP eligibility letter from ESD, you may be eligible to participate in the SEAP.
North is a SEAP Approved Training Program provider. The SEAP Approved Training Program we provide is the Entrepreneurship Program – which includes both the Certificate and Foundation Certificate options. For more information about the Entrepreneurship Program, including curriculum and program contact information, please visit the Entrepreneurship Program website. For more information about SEAP, including Approved Training Programs, eligibility requirements, SEAP application and FAQs, go to the ESD SEAP website.
While the SEAP provides continuation of UI benefits, it does not cover the costs of the Approved Training Program. Funding assistance for the Entrepreneurship Program is available through the Worker Retraining Program. The necessary steps to qualify for SEAP are available on this checklist. To see if you are eligible for funding through the Worker Retraining program, you will need to meet the following qualifications:
- Entrepreneurship Certificate (38 credits)
- Entrepreneur Foundation Certificate (13 credits)
Check your Worker Retraining funding eligibility by taking the Start Next Quarter Survey. If you prequalify for funding you will receive a message inviting you to complete the Workforce Education Funding Application.
Complete and submit the online Workforce Education Funding Application. For more information about our application process, please see Frequently Asked Questions.
Download and complete the SEAP Application Form. Email completed application to the Worker Retraining Specialist, Darcie Callahan at darcie.callahan@seattlecolleges.edu to review and sign the Program Provider Certification. Your signed application will be returned via email.
Click here to view the SEAP steps checklist. You will need to complete your weekly job search requirements until you are approved for the SEAP. Mail signed application to:
Employment Security Department
Attn: Training Benefits/SEAP Unit
PO Box 9046
Olympia, WA 98507-9046
SEAP General Questions
The SEAP application must be signed by the program provider, and at North, that is the Worker Retraining Specialist. The partnership between SEAP and Worker Retraining exists because Worker Retraining can provide funding for the Entrepreneurship Program.
No, the Worker Retraining Specialist provides funding and college navigation. The Entrepreneurship Program courses are taught by a faculty instructor.
If you have questions about your UI benefits please go to http://www.esd.wa.gov.
This information is available on ESD SEAP website; additional information is included on the ESD SEAP FAQ website.
Make sure to review the ESD SEAP website for information including SEAP FAQs. For additional questions, please attend the SEAP orientation or call the Training Benefits/SEAP Unit toll-free at 877-600-7701.
See the Entrepreneurship Program website for more program information including contact information.
Questions? Please contact Worker Retraining Specialist:
Darcie Callahan
darcie.callahan@seattlecolleges.edu
(206) 934-6063*
*Please leave voicemail that includes name, phone number and ctcLink ID (EMPLID) (if available).