How is unemployment benefit calculated in Washington ESD - confused about weekly benefit amount

So they don't use my total yearly income? Just one quarter?

Exactly! They only look at your highest earning quarter, not your total annual income. That's why the amount might seem lower than expected.

That makes sense why it seemed low - I had a few months of lower pay in 2024 due to reduced hours.

Yeah the base period thing trips everyone up. I filed in March and was confused why they weren't looking at my recent pay stubs.

How does that work? Do they just call for you?

Yeah they handle the calling and waiting, then connect you when an agent picks up. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Interesting, might try that if I can't get through to ask about my job search requirements.

I don't have kids so that doesn't apply to me, but good to know for others!

Yes! I get an extra $75 per week for my three kids. Every little bit helps.

What's the formula for part-time work? I might pick up some gig work.

I think you can earn up to about $200 before they start reducing your benefit, then they reduce it by like 75 cents for every dollar you earn over that threshold. Don't quote me on exact numbers though.

That's close but not exact. Best to check with Washington ESD directly or look at their current earnings deduction chart.

I know right? Every state does it differently too which makes it even more confusing.

The quarterly system is supposed to prevent fraud and make sure benefits are based on sustained work history, not just one good month.

How do you know if you qualify for the alternate base period?

Washington ESD automatically checks if you don't qualify under the regular base period. It uses the most recent 4 completed quarters instead of the older ones.

All my income was W-2 wages so that shouldn't be an issue for me.

Good point about 1099 work - that can really throw off people's expectations about their benefit amount.

That does make me feel better about the amount. I was worried I was missing something.

Yeah it's usually around half your regular pay, which is the point - it's not supposed to fully replace your income.

Oh I didn't know about the tax withholding option. That's probably smart to avoid owing at tax time.

Definitely recommend the withholding. I didn't do it my first year on unemployment and got hit with a big tax bill.

That's exactly what I need - someone to walk me through the specific calculation for my case.

Same here, the online portal doesn't really explain the details of how they got to your specific number.

How do I find out how many weeks I'm eligible for?

It should be in your determination letter, or you can check your account on the Washington ESD website under benefit information.

Good reminder. I'll make sure to report any work I do on my weekly claims.

Yeah they're pretty strict about unreported earnings. Can cause overpayment issues later.

How long do you have to file an appeal?

I think it's 30 days from when you receive your monetary determination letter. Don't wait too long.

That's another good reason to use Claimyr - they can help you get through to an agent quickly to ask about appeals or corrections.

Glad we could help clarify things! The unemployment system is complicated but once you understand the basics it makes more sense.

Good luck with your job search! Remember to keep track of your job search activities for Washington ESD.