How is the amount of unemployment calculated in Washington ESD?

So if my highest quarter was $15,000, that would be about $576 per week? But my notice shows $487.

There's also a cap - the maximum weekly benefit amount changes each year. For 2025 it's around $999 per week, but your amount might be limited by other factors in the calculation.

I definitely worked more than 680 hours so that shouldn't be an issue. Maybe there's something else affecting my calculation?

Did you have any gaps in employment during your base period? That could affect which quarters they use for the calculation.

45 minutes isn't even that bad! I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my adjudication and can never get through.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I found out about it from someone on here and it actually got me connected to a real person at Washington ESD in like 10 minutes. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that but I'll check it out. Getting through to Washington ESD is impossible otherwise.

I only worked in Washington so that shouldn't apply to me.

Good point, I should double-check that. Where exactly do I find the wage history in my SAW account?

Log into your account and look for 'View Wage and Benefit History' or something similar. It'll show what wages each employer reported for each quarter.

Found it! Looks like one of my employers might have reported wages in the wrong quarter. That could explain the difference.

It's because unemployment is designed to replace recent wages, not necessarily your highest earning period. The quarterly system helps ensure you were actually working recently.

I guess that makes sense but it's still confusing for people trying to figure out their benefits.

How long does the appeal process take? I want to make sure my calculation is correct before I start filing weekly claims.

Mine took about 3 weeks but I had to call them to follow up. Definitely worth doing if you think there's an error though.

That's good to know for later. Right now I'm focusing on full-time job search but part-time work might be an option.

Exactly - this is why some people get less than the simple highest quarter ÷ 26 calculation. The total base period wages requirement can limit the benefit amount.

Seriously try Claimyr - claimyr.com. It's been a lifesaver for getting through to actual Washington ESD staff when you can't reach them normally.

I'll look into it, thanks. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get answers about my benefit calculation.

Good reminder! I forgot about the tax implications. Can I set up tax withholding through my SAW account?

Yes, you can elect to have 10% withheld for federal taxes when you file your weekly claims. State taxes aren't withheld but Washington doesn't have state income tax anyway.

I did get two weeks of vacation pay when I was laid off. Would that affect my weekly benefit amount calculation or just delay when I can start collecting?

It usually just delays when you can start collecting, not the actual weekly amount. But you should report it when you file your initial claim to make sure it's handled correctly.

I'm not on standby - I was permanently laid off. So regular benefit calculation should apply to me.

That's exactly what I'm worried about. I want to make sure everything is correct from the start.

Smart approach. Better to spend the time getting it right now than dealing with overpayment issues later.

My amount is well above that so the minimum wouldn't apply. Still trying to figure out why my calculation seems lower than expected though.

How would I know if they used the alternate base period? Would that be shown on my determination letter?

It should be indicated on your monetary determination. Look for language about which quarters were used in the calculation.

Good to know. So once the weekly amount is set, it doesn't change even if I find part-time work or my situation changes?

The weekly benefit amount stays the same, but your actual payment can be reduced if you earn wages while collecting. You still need to report any work when you file your weekly claims.

Easier said than done! I've been trying to call for weeks and can never get through to a real person.

I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get connected to Washington ESD agents. Worked great for me when I needed to discuss my benefit calculation.

Agreed. I'm going to review my wage history and then try to contact them to make sure my calculation is accurate. Thanks everyone for all the helpful information!