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Also worth mentioning that certain groups have special considerations - veterans, people with disabilities, victims of domestic violence. If any of those apply to you, there might be additional support available.
Bottom line - if you think you might qualify, just apply. The worst that happens is they say no, but if you do qualify, those benefits can really help bridge the gap while you look for more work or wait for your hours to pick back up.
One thing nobody mentioned - if you move to a different state while collecting Washington unemployment, you need to notify Washington ESD. The rules can get complicated for interstate claims.
Bottom line - file your weekly claims on time, keep looking for work, report any earnings, and keep good records. The payments will come as long as you follow the rules.
One more thing about the calculation - if you worked in multiple states, you might be able to combine wages from different states to get a higher benefit. It's called an interstate claim.
Bottom line - if you think your calculation is wrong, don't just accept it. Get your wage records, double-check everything, and request a redetermination if needed. The worst they can say is no, but you might get hundreds more per week if there was an error.
Thanks everyone! This has been super helpful. I'm going to check my wage records and see if that part-time job is included in the calculation.
Good luck! And remember that Claimyr option if you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD about your specific situation.
I work in payroll and can confirm the 2025 FUTA rate is still 6% on first $7,000 of wages, with the 5.4% credit available for most employers. Nothing new there.
If you're really concerned about benefit changes, the best thing is to call Washington ESD directly. Though like others said, that's easier said than done with their phone system...
I finally got through using Claimyr after weeks of failed attempts. They have this whole system for getting past the busy signals - check out their video demo if you're curious.
Sunny Wang
The benefit amount calculation is just the start. The real challenge is navigating all the requirements and keeping up with the weekly claims. Make sure you understand the system before you need it!
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Lukas Fitzgerald
•Thanks for all the advice everyone! This thread has been super helpful for understanding what to expect.
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Hugh Intensity
Bottom line: $52k income will probably get you around $750-850/week depending on how your earnings were distributed. Just be prepared for the bureaucracy and potential delays in the system.
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Lukas Fitzgerald
•Perfect summary! I feel much more prepared now if I need to file a claim.
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