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Diego Ramirez

What has the lowest unemployment pay - Washington ESD weekly benefit amounts?

I'm trying to figure out what the minimum weekly unemployment benefit amount is in Washington state. My claim got approved but I'm only getting $201 per week which seems really low compared to what I was making. Is this the lowest amount Washington ESD pays out? I worked part-time for the past year making about $15/hour but only 25-30 hours per week. Just wondering if anyone knows what determines these amounts and if there's a floor for how low they can go.

The minimum benefit in Washington used to be even lower years ago, so I guess $201 is progress? Still not enough to live on though.

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Progress would be adjusting it for inflation and cost of living. $201 in 2025 money is probably worth less than whatever the old minimum was

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Good point. Everything else has gone up except unemployment benefits it seems like

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Just to confirm what others have said - $201 is definitely the floor for Washington ESD weekly benefits. I've been on unemployment twice and both times that was the minimum they could pay out regardless of circumstances.

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Thanks for confirming. At least now I know I'm not missing out on anything and this is just how the system works.

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Unfortunately yes, that's just how it is. Focus on the job search and hopefully you'll find something soon that pays better than unemployment

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Lucas Schmidt

How much do you make on unemployment - Washington ESD weekly benefit amounts?

I'm trying to figure out what my weekly benefit amount will be if I file for unemployment in Washington. I made about $52,000 last year working full time at a manufacturing job but got laid off two weeks ago. Does anyone know how Washington ESD calculates the weekly benefit amount? I've heard it's based on your earnings but not sure exactly how they figure it out. Really need to know what to expect so I can budget properly.

One last thing - if you're thinking about going back to school while on unemployment, there are special programs that might let you collect benefits while in training. Worth looking into if you want to change careers.

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Really? I didn't know you could go to school and still get unemployment. What kind of programs?

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Washington ESD has approved training programs where you don't have to look for work while you're in school. You have to get approval first though.

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thanks everyone for all the info! this thread has been super helpful for understanding how the benefit amounts work. feeling much better about filing my claim now.

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Glad we could help! Don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions after you file.

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Good luck with your claim! The hardest part is just getting started.

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Drew Hathaway

What is 602a unemployment in Washington ESD system?

I've been trying to figure out what this 602a code means on my Washington ESD unemployment claim. It showed up in my account last week and I can't find any clear explanation anywhere. My weekly claim is showing pending and there's this 602a reference but no one at Washington ESD can explain what it actually means when I try calling. Has anyone else seen this code before? I'm worried it's going to delay my benefits.

Keep checking your account regularly for updates. Sometimes the 602a status will change without them sending you a notification. Mine went from wage verification to approved over a weekend and I almost missed it.

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How often should I check? Daily?

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I checked mine every couple days. Daily might be overkill but definitely check a few times a week so you don't miss any status changes.

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For future reference, you can also check your wage and employment history in the WorkSourceWA system to see what information Washington ESD has on file for you. Sometimes discrepancies there can trigger these verification reviews.

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I didn't know you could check that in WorkSourceWA. I'll take a look and see if there are any obvious issues with my work history.

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Diego Flores

ESD claiming I didn't work in-state - How to prove employment?

Hey everyone, I'm having a problem with my unemployment benefits. The state is saying I didn't work there, but I definitely did! Has anyone else dealt with this? What did you do to prove your employment?

Listen up, because I've been through this rodeo before and I know how to wrangle these bureaucratic bulls. Here's what you need to do: • Gather ALL your employment documents. We're talking pay stubs, W-2s, offer letters, performance reviews, everything. • Write a detailed letter explaining your employment history. Include dates, job titles, and responsibilities. • Get a notarized statement from your former employer if possible. • File an appeal ASAP. There's usually a deadline, so don't drag your feet. • Keep calling and emailing. Be polite but persistent. Document every interaction. • Consider reaching out to your local state representative. They can sometimes cut through red tape. • If all else fails, look into legal aid services. Some offer free help with unemployment issues. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Don't give up!

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This is gold 💯 Saving this for future reference!

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Damn, you've really been through it. Thanks for sharing all this info!

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guys im in the same boat rn and im freaking out. i cant afford to not get my benefits. any advice on how to stay calm while dealing with this mess?

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Deep breaths, my friend. Remember, this is just a temporary setback. Try to do something nice for yourself each day while you work through this. You got this! 💪

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Honestly? I've been stress baking. Made like 5 loaves of bread this week lol. Find something to keep your hands busy!

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Zara Rashid

EDD wrongly disqualified my UI claim due to work authorization error - How to fix and get backpay?

I filed a new unemployment claim and it got approved, but all my weekly claims are disqualified without any reasons given. I checked an old expired claim from last year and saw it was disqualified because it said I wasn't authorized to work, which is totally wrong. I've been a legal permanent resident for over 15 years! Anyone else deal with this? Will they backpay me for the weeks I should've gotten? I know the first week is a waiting period, and I got severance for the second week, but the third week I didn't get any income at all.

have you tried faxing them? I know it sounds old school but I got a response within 2 days when I faxed my documents

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What year is it, 1995? 🤣 But for real, if it works, it works!

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ugh this system is so broken. i've been waiting 3 months to get my issue resolved. feels like were all just stuck in this sinking ship together 😩

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