PDFWAC 192-220-045
How is the fraud penalty calculated?—RCW 50.20.070.
(1) The department will assess the penalty established under RCW 50.20.070 for fraud based on a percentage of benefits paid for those weeks in which the fraud occurred or that were paid as a result of fraud. The penalty will not apply to other weeks that may be included in the same eligibility decision.
(a) For a first occurrence, the penalty is fifteen percent of benefits overpaid.
(b) For a second occurrence, the penalty is twenty-five percent of benefits overpaid.
(c) For a third or subsequent occurrence, the penalty is fifty percent of benefits overpaid.
(2) The penalty amount, if not a multiple of one dollar, is rounded up to the next higher dollar.