(1) To assess premiums and determine eligibility for small business assistance grants, the department must determine the size of each applicable employer. The department will only count the number of in-state employees as defined in RCW 50A.05.010 when calculating employer size.

(2) If the department determines that the employer's status has changed as it relates to premium liability, the department will notify the employer. This notification will include the following information:

(a) If the employer was determined to have fifty or more employees for the preceding calendar year, and the employer is then determined to have fewer than fifty employees for the subsequent calendar year, the employer will not be required to pay the employer portion of the premium for the next calendar year; or

(b) If the employer was determined to have fewer than fifty employees for the preceding calendar year, and the employer is then determined to have fifty or more employees for the subsequent calendar year, the employer will be required to pay the employer portion of the premium for the next calendar year.

Example: On September 30, 2018, a business is determined to have had 53 employees on average during the previous four completed quarters, which covers July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018. The employer is liable for the employer portion of premiums for 2019. On September 30, 2019, the business is determined to have had 48 employees on average during the previous four completed quarters, which covers July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019. The employer is no longer liable for the employer share of premiums for 2020.