How do you calculate how much unemployment you will receive in Washington?

Thanks! So if I made $15,000 in my highest quarter, that would be about $577 per week? That seems higher than I expected.

Yes, but remember Washington has a maximum weekly benefit amount. For 2025 it's $999 per week, so you'd get the full $577 if that's what the calculation shows.

I actually used Claimyr to get through to someone at Washington ESD who walked me through the calculation over the phone. Way easier than trying to figure it out myself. They have a demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how to reach agents.

Never heard of that service but might be worth checking out. The hold times when I called were brutal.

What's the minimum earnings requirement? I'm worried I might not qualify since I had a few months of lower income when I first started.

You need at least $5,265 in your base period total, with at least $1,755 in your highest quarter. Sounds like you should be fine with your income level.

Unfortunately no, they use completed quarters only. Your recent raise won't be included in the base period calculation unless you can use the alternate base period.

Ugh, that's frustrating. The system seems designed to always give you less than you're currently making.

Definitely check out claimyr.com if you want to talk to someone at Washington ESD directly. I was able to get my exact calculation confirmed over the phone instead of guessing.

How much does that cost? I'm already worried about money once I'm unemployed.

Good point. I should probably pull my tax documents too, right?

Yes, especially if you have any 1099 income mixed in. They need to see the full picture of your earnings.

I found it but couldn't get it to work properly. Kept giving me error messages when I entered my wage information.

Yeah, their website is pretty glitchy. Sometimes you have to try a few times or use a different browser.

That's helpful to know a real example. How long did it take for your claim to get approved?

About 3 weeks total. Had to go through adjudication because I was laid off, but it was pretty straightforward.

Oh right, I forgot about taxes. Can you have them withhold taxes from the weekly payments?

Yes, you can elect to have 10% withheld for federal taxes when you file your initial claim. Definitely recommend it.

That's what I'm worried about. My rent alone is pretty high, so I need to know what to expect.

Yeah budgeting is key. The job search requirements keep you busy though so hopefully you wont be on it too long.

How much extra do you get per dependent? I have two kids so that could make a difference.

I think it's around $25-30 per dependent per week, but there's a cap on the total. Check the current rates on the Washington ESD website.

It's because they need completed quarters to verify earnings with employers. Using partial quarters would make the system even more complicated.

I guess that makes sense from an administrative standpoint, but it's still frustrating when your recent income is higher.

Good to hear another positive review. I might give that a try instead of trying to figure this out myself.

Yeah, definitely saved me time and stress. Plus they helped me understand what documents I'd need when filing.

I don't have any pension income, but good to know for the future. This whole system has so many little rules and exceptions.

Yeah, it's definitely complex. That's why talking to someone who knows the system inside and out can be really valuable.

I am getting severance - about 6 weeks worth. Does that mean I can't file for unemployment right away?

It depends on whether it's paid as a lump sum or weekly payments. You should definitely clarify this with Washington ESD when you file.

That's good to know. I moved here from a state with much lower benefits, so this is a relief.

Yeah, Washington generally has pretty good unemployment benefits. The job search requirements are reasonable too.

Good point. I was thinking about my take-home pay but they want the pre-tax amount, right?

Exactly. Use your gross wages from your pay stubs, before any deductions.

Thanks everyone for all the help! I think I have a much better understanding now. Going to gather my pay stubs and see if I can get an exact calculation.

Good luck with your claim! The process isn't too bad once you get started.