How do I know how much unemployment will pay in Washington ESD?

Thank you! So if my highest quarter was around $15,000, that would be about $577 per week? That seems reasonable.

That's right! And you can also check your exact benefit amount by logging into your SecureAccess Washington account once your claim is processed.

How long did it take you to get through when you called? I've heard their phone lines are always busy.

Honestly, it was a nightmare. I spent hours on hold and got disconnected multiple times before I finally got through to someone.

Is that service legit? I'm always skeptical of third-party services when it comes to government benefits.

Yeah it's legitimate. They don't ask for any personal information - they just help you get connected to the right person at Washington ESD. Much better than spending your whole day redialing.

That's a good point. I did have a few months where I was between jobs last year. Will that hurt my benefit amount?

It depends on which quarters those months fall into. Washington ESD uses your four highest earning quarters, so if you had one low quarter, it might not be included in the calculation.

I know it's frustrating, but they have to verify your earnings with your employers first. That's why it takes some time to get your exact benefit amount.

still annoying though. i just want to know what im working with for my budget

I didn't know there was a calculator! I'll check that out. Thanks for the tip.

You're welcome! It's under the 'Before You Apply' section on their website. Pretty helpful for getting a ballpark figure.

Good point about taxes! I hadn't thought about that. Is it better to have them withhold or just pay at tax time?

I usually have them withhold 10% for federal taxes just to avoid a big tax bill later. You can change this setting in your online account.

I read about that in the handbook. Do they actually check your job search log regularly?

They can audit your job search activities at any time, so definitely keep detailed records. I know people who got disqualified for not having proper documentation.

That's interesting! I had some part-time work during my base year too. Maybe that will help.

Yeah, every little bit counts when they're calculating your highest quarters. Even small amounts can add up.

Three weeks isn't unusual, especially if they need to verify your earnings with multiple employers. I know it's frustrating but try to be patient.

Easy for you to say when you're not worried about paying rent! This system needs serious reform.

What causes a claim to go into adjudication? I'm hoping mine goes through smoothly.

Usually it's if there's a question about why you left your job or if your employer contests the claim. As long as you were laid off through no fault of your own, you should be fine.

Thanks for the advice! I'll try calling first thing Monday morning if I have questions.

Even better than calling early is using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. I tried it last week and got connected to an agent in like 10 minutes instead of waiting hours.

Good thinking! I'll gather all my documentation just in case.

yeah its better to have everything ready than to scramble for it later when your benefits are on hold

That's actually higher than I expected! Though I doubt I'll qualify for the maximum amount.

Most people don't hit the maximum. You'd need to have earned over $25,000 in your highest quarter to get close to that amount.

I know the feeling! Hopefully we both get our determinations soon.

Fingers crossed! At least we can file our weekly claims while we wait for the benefit amount to be determined.

I did get a small severance package. Will that completely disqualify me from benefits?

Not necessarily disqualify you, but it might delay when your benefits start or reduce the amount. You'll need to report it when you file your weekly claims.

Thanks for all the helpful advice everyone! I feel much better prepared now.

You're welcome! The whole process is much less stressful when you know what to expect.

That's a good backup plan if I can't figure out the calculation on my own.

Exactly! It's nice to have options when you need to reach Washington ESD quickly.

Thank you! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a quick turnaround.

You should be fine since you were laid off. That's usually the most straightforward type of claim for Washington ESD to process.