


Ask the community...
For what it's worth, Washington's unemployment benefits are pretty decent compared to other states. The maximum weekly benefit of $1015 is higher than most places. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week or you'll lose those payments.
If anyone is still confused about the calculation, I found this helpful: take your total wages from your highest earning quarter in the base period, divide by 26, and that's roughly your weekly benefit (subject to the min/max limits). The 'percentage' varies by person but it usually works out to 40-55% of your average weekly pay.
The system actually works pretty well for encouraging people to take whatever work they can find while still looking for something better. Just wish Washington ESD made the rules clearer upfront instead of people having to figure it out through forums like this.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I'm definitely going to file my claim and report my part-time earnings. Sounds like as long as I'm honest about everything and keep looking for full-time work, I should be fine.
Whatever you do, make sure you answer all the weekly claim questions honestly. They do audit claims and if they find you lied about anything you could end up with an overpayment that you have to pay back with penalties.
if you get laid off and your employer contests your claim it can delay everything while it goes through adjudication. hope that doesn't happen to you but just be aware it's a possibility
The waiting is awful but try not to stress too much. Washington ESD is actually pretty good about getting that first payment out within 2 weeks. Just keep filing your weekly claims and it'll come through.
Ana Rusula
Thank you all so much for the support and advice. This thread has been exactly what I needed today. Going to try some of these strategies and hopefully get through to Washington ESD soon to check on my claim.
0 coins
Xan Dae
•Keep us posted on how things go. This community is here for you.
0 coins
Axel Bourke
•You're going to get through this. Take it one day at a time.
0 coins
Hattie Carson
This has been such a great discussion. Saving this thread for when I need the motivation. Thanks everyone for being so supportive.
0 coins
Ana Rusula
•Same! It's nice to know there are people who understand what this is like.
0 coins
Fidel Carson
•That's what these forums are for. We're all just trying to help each other out.
0 coins