KENTUCKY – UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PORTAL UPDATES
The Kentucky Unemployment Insurance Portal (KUIP) Tax system rollout has officially been rescheduled for August 17, 2026. No immediate action is needed from employers at this time. Employers will continue to utilize the existing systems until the new KUIP Tax system launches in August.
Additional resources can be found on the Kentucky Career Center website and the state will continue to share additional resources in advance of the August 17 rollout.
This is the first part of a two-phase rollout, which will continue in 2028 with a new system for unemployment claimants (Benefits and Appeals system).
OREGON – ANNUAL WAGE ESTIMATES DRIVE INCREASES TO MANY BENEFITS
The Oregon Employment Department is required by law to update unemployment and paid leave benefits based on the state’s average weekly wage. In 2025, the average weekly wage was $1,410.13, an increase of 3.4% from 2024. Therefore, benefits will increase in 2026 to reflect wage increases throughout the state.
- Unemployment Weekly Benefit Amount – Beginning with claims filed on or after June 28, 2026, the minimum weekly benefit amount will increase to $211 while the maximum weekly benefit amount will increase to $902.
- Paid Leave Oregon Benefit Amount – Beginning with benefit years that begin on or after June 28, 2026, the minimum paid leave benefit will increase to $70.51 while the maximum paid leave benefit will increase to $1,692.16.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NEW, LOWER WAGE TAX RATES GO INTO EFFECT JULY 1, 2026
As part of significant changes made by Mayor Parker and the Philadelphia City Council to the city’s tax structure, both resident and non-resident workers will see their Wage/Earnings Tax rates decrease through 2030. Beginning July 1, 2026, these rates will decrease to 3.735% for city residents and 3.425% for nonresidents. All wages earned after June 30, 2026 must have taxes withheld at this new rate.
VIRGINIA – PAID SICK LEAVE TO BECOME AVAILABLE TO WORKERS BEGINNING IN JULY 2027
Governor Abigail Spanberger recently signed legislation to provide paid sick leave to all Virginia workers. Beginning in July 2027, the law will require employers to provide both full-time and part-time employees at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked with up to five paid sick days per year.
Additional information will be forthcoming about the implementation of the policy in advance of its July 2027 rollout.
WASHINGTON – ANNUAL WAGE RESET
The Washington State Department of Labor utilizes the average annual wage to calculate benefit amounts for unemployment, paid family and medical leave, and worker’s compensation along with the unemployment taxable wage base. In 2025, the average annual wage was $99,810, an increase of 4.9% from 2024. Therefore, all associated benefits will see increases based on the updated annual wage.
Paid Leave Benefits – Beginning with claims filed on or after January 1, 2027, the maximum paid leave benefit will be $1,727. The minimum paid leave benefit will remain $100.
Unemployment Weekly Benefit Amount – Beginning with claims filed on or after July 5, 2026, the minimum weekly benefit amount will increase to $383, while the maximum weekly benefit amount will increase to $1,208.
Unemployment Taxable Wage Base – Beginning in 2027, the taxable wage base will increase to $82,000, up from $78,200 in 2026.