ESD wage calculations changing between quarters - lost money by filing in November?

The base year is defined as the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. It's not that ESD randomly changes dates - it's a fixed calculation based on when you file. For a November 2025 claim, your base year would be July 2024 through June 2025. If you'd waited until January 2026, your base year would shift to October 2024 through September 2025. Unfortunately, once a benefit year is established, you typically can't cancel it just to get a higher WBA (weekly benefit amount). You'd need to wait until your current benefit year expires (which would be November 2026) before filing a new claim with different quarters.

OMG i made the EXACT same mistake last year!!! filed in december and my benefit was like $320/week, but my friend who got laid off from the SAME COMPANY waited till january and got almost $450/week because our big holiday bonuses from the previous year counted for her but not for me. i tried calling esd like 50 times but they just said "sorry thats how the system works" 😡

The quarterly calculation system isn't random - it's actually defined in state law (RCW 50.04.020). The "base year" definition exists to create a standardized period for calculating benefits that gives a reasonable picture of your recent work history. There is one potential option, though it's not guaranteed: If you return to work and earn enough to satisfy the requalification requirements (typically working and earning at least 6x your weekly benefit amount), and then become unemployed again after January 1, you could potentially qualify for a new claim with the higher quarters included. However, this would require you to actually return to work temporarily. As a side note, this quarterly calculation is why many HR departments that plan layoffs often time them to occur just after the start of a new quarter when it might benefit employees' unemployment calculations.

have u tried calling ESD directly? sometimes they can explain better on the phone than whats on their confusing website lol

I went through something similar and was incredibly frustrated trying to reach ESD to get clarity. After multiple failed attempts with the regular phone line, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me actually get through to an ESD agent within about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 When I finally got through, the agent explained that while I couldn't cancel my claim to get a higher WBA, there are sometimes exceptions if there were significant errors in your application or if your employer reported wages incorrectly. Worth asking about at least.

This system is DELIBERATELY DESIGNED to confuse people and reduce benefits!!! The state saves millions by having these complicated rules that nobody understands. Notice how the "base year" conveniently excludes your most recent work quarter? That's not an accident! Always wait until after quarters change if you have a choice when filing.

Another thing to check: did you have any vacation or severance pay when you were laid off? Sometimes people don't realize that certain types of separation pay can affect your claim filing date. If you received severance that extended into January, you might have a case for adjusting your effective date of claim. Worth asking about if you speak with an ESD representative.

anyone else think its crazy that we have to become unemployment system experts just to not get screwed over?? like why isnt there a calculator on the esd website that would tell you "hey maybe wait 3 weeks to file and you'll get $200 more per week" 🙄