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

So they don't use my most recent salary? That seems weird because I got a raise right before I was laid off.

Exactly - they use older wage data because it has to be from completed quarters. If you filed in January 2025, they'd look at wages from Jan-Dec 2024, but not the quarter you're currently in.

Yes, you need at least $3,850 in your base period AND earn at least 1.25 times your highest quarter in other quarters of the base period.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already worried about money.

It's worth it when you consider how much time you save vs calling hundreds of times. Plus getting the right information about your calculation is important for planning your budget.

So if I made $12,500 in my best quarter, that would be about $480 per week? But I'm only getting $394.

There might be other factors. Did you have any gaps in employment or work part-time during some quarters? That could affect the calculation.

Thanks! So they don't just look at my most recent salary? That makes more sense because I had a raise in my last quarter.

Yeah exactly, they look at your base period quarters not your most recent pay. It's confusing at first but protects people who might have had a pay cut before getting laid off.

Yes exactly. If you had inconsistent work or low wages in some quarters, it definitely impacts your weekly benefit amount.

Ugh this system is so confusing. Why can't they just use your last job's salary like normal people would think?

That makes more sense! I had some slower months last year when I was between jobs. So they're not looking at my most recent pay rate?

Exactly. They use what's called your base period which is typically the first four of the last five completed quarters before you filed. So if you filed in January 2025, they'd look at quarters from early 2024.

Thanks! So they don't look at all four quarters, just the highest one? That makes more sense now.

Yeah exactly. I had the same confusion when I first filed. They also have a minimum weekly benefit amount too I think.

Wait, so there's a minimum requirement for the second quarter too? I didn't know that. How do I check what my base period quarters were?

You can see your base period quarters on your monetary determination letter. It should show all four quarters and which ones they used for the calculation.

Yeah I remember trying to figure this out when I first filed. The Washington ESD monetary determination notice should break down exactly which quarters they used.

I got that notice but it's just a bunch of numbers. I wish they explained it in plain English.

Wait that seems really far back? What if I was making way less back then compared to recently?

You might qualify for alternate base period if your regular base period doesn't give you enough quarters or wages. That uses the most recent four quarters instead.

I had to use alternate base period when I filed last year. Made a huge difference in my benefit amount since I got promoted recently.

So with my $681, that means my highest quarter was probably around $23,000? Let me check my pay stubs...

That sounds about right. $23,000 ÷ 13 = $1,769, then $1,769 × 0.0385 = $681. Your calculation checks out.

How long was your gap? I had about 3 months where I was only working part-time last year.

mine was about 4 months, really brought down my quarterly earnings average

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to Washington ESD agents without the endless hold times. I was able to speak with someone within 20 minutes to get my benefit calculation explained. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

I know it's frustrating trying to reach them! I actually found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to a Washington ESD agent when I had questions about my benefit calculation. They have this system that calls for you and waits on hold - check out claimyr.com, they even have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Never heard of Claimyr before. Does it actually work for getting through to Washington ESD?

Yes! I was able to speak with someone within 30 minutes instead of calling all day. They explained my monetary determination and I finally understood how they calculated everything.

That sounds too good to be true but I'm desperate to talk to someone about my calculation.

What's an alternate base period? Would that help in my situation?

An alternate base period uses the most recent four quarters instead of the standard base period. You'd need to show that using the alternate period would result in a valid claim when the regular base period wouldn't, or would significantly increase your benefit amount.

Ok let me try that math... if my highest quarter was around $13,000 then ($13,000 ÷ 26) × 0.50 = $250? That doesn't match my $542 amount at all.

You might be looking at gross vs net wages or have some other income included. The calculation can get complex with overtime, bonuses, tips etc.

Yes, bonuses count as wages for the quarter they were paid in, not when they were earned.

good to know thanks

What's the alternate base period? Is that better?

alternate uses the last 4 completed quarters instead of first 4 of last 5. sometimes helps if you had recent job loss

Did you work the full 12 months before filing? If you had gaps in employment or didn't work enough hours, that could affect your base period earnings.

I worked 10 months out of the last 12. Had a 2 month gap between jobs. Does that mess up the calculation?

Yes, those gap months would be included in your base period with zero earnings. That definitely impacts your benefit amount calculation.

How do you check that? Is there a way to see what wages they have on file?

You can request a wage detail report through your online account or call them. But good luck getting through on the phone...

I feel this so hard. Like why are they looking at wages from over a year ago when everything costs more now?

I understand the frustration, but they need completed quarters for accurate reporting. Otherwise people could manipulate recent wages.

That sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost?

I was skeptical too but it actually worked. They focus on getting you connected rather than the cost. Way better than spending entire days trying to call Washington ESD directly.

I might try this, I've been calling for two weeks trying to get someone to explain my adjudication status.

Oh that might explain it! I did some freelance work and had a part-time job for a few months during that period.

Exactly! All those wages get combined when they calculate your highest quarter. Check your monetary determination letter, it should break down wages by employer.

This is why I always tell people to keep track of ALL their income sources when filing. It can really boost your benefit amount.

The calculation formula hasn't changed in years actually. It's just not well explained on their website.

Maybe not the formula but the way they determine your base period and what wages count definitely gets confusing. Especially if you worked in multiple states.

That math actually makes sense now. I had some months where I was only part-time so my quarters weren't all equal.

This is why I hate the unemployment system. Why can't they just pay you based on what you made last year like normal people would think?

The quarterly system is supposed to reflect your recent work history and earnings patterns, not just total annual income.

I found that section! It shows Q1 2024: $8,200, Q2 2024: $10,400, Q3 2024: $11,800, Q4 2024: $9,600. So they used $11,800?

Exactly! $11,800 divided by 26 weeks = $453, but Washington ESD rounds down and applies other adjustments.

I tried that calculator too and got a completely different number. I think it's just an estimate tool, not the actual formula they use.

Yeah the online calculator is just a rough estimate. The actual calculation involves looking at specific quarters and applying various rules that the calculator doesn't capture.

No, overtime wages are counted the same as regular wages. They just look at total gross earnings reported to Washington ESD by your employer, regardless of whether it's regular time or overtime.

That's what I thought. Maybe I need to check if my employer reported all my earnings correctly.

Commission income is included in your total wages as long as your employer reported it properly. It all goes into the same calculation based on your quarterly earnings.

Good to know. I was worried they might not count commission the same way.

I feel you. The maximum benefit hasn't kept up with cost of living at all. It's really hard to survive on unemployment in Washington state.

seriously!! and then they expect us to apply for 3 jobs every week like we have time when we're stressed about money

I did have a side gig for a few months. How would I know if those wages are included?

You'd need to check your wage and benefit statement or call to verify. This is exactly the kind of thing where having Claimyr help you get through to an agent is valuable.

I did get that letter but honestly didn't understand what all the numbers meant. I should look at it again.

Yes, look for the section that shows quarterly wages. Each quarter should list your gross wages. If any quarter is missing wages or looks too low, that could explain your lower benefit amount.

Yes, Washington ESD counts all wages reported on your W-2 including commissions, bonuses, tips, overtime - basically anything your employer reported as taxable wages.

good to know, that explains why my amount seemed higher than expected

No, I'm not working at all right now. Just filing my weekly claims and doing the job search requirements.

Then it's probably just the standard calculation. Sometimes there are small deductions for things like union dues that were taken from your wages.

For a March 2025 filing, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024. You need wages in at least two quarters and total wages of at least $5,265 in your base period to qualify.

Ok that helps. I was unemployed for a few months in 2024 so that might affect things.

As long as you meet the minimum requirements in the quarters you did work, gaps shouldn't disqualify you. The calculation just uses your actual reported wages from when you were working.

How do you request the alternate base period? Do you have to ask for it specifically when you file?

Washington ESD automatically considers the alternate base period if you don't qualify under the regular base period. But you can also request it if you think it would result in a higher benefit amount.

If you filed in March 2025, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024. The last 5 completed quarters, but they only use the first 4 of those 5.

thats so far back! no wonder my amount seems low

That explains why it seemed low compared to what I was making at the end of last year.

Yeah the base period thing is confusing. I had to call Washington ESD to understand why my benefits were calculated the way they were.

Wait, unemployment is taxable? I thought it wasn't since it's government assistance.

yep, it's taxable income for both federal and state taxes. you can have 10% withheld automatically when you file your weekly claims

Yeah I tried that calculator too and it gave me a totally different number. Made me more confused.

Those online calculators are just estimates. The actual calculation involves more factors than the simple tools can account for.

How did you find out your employer reported wrong? Did Washington ESD tell you or did you figure it out yourself?

I compared my pay stubs to the wage information on my determination letter and noticed the discrepancy. Had to mail in copies of my pay stubs to get it fixed.

Do they automatically check that or do you have to request it?

They should automatically check if you don't qualify under the regular base period, but it's worth verifying if your claim gets denied.

I might have to try that. I've called Washington ESD probably 50 times and never gotten through.

Same here. The phone system is impossible. Let me know if Claimyr actually works for you.

What kind of adjustments? And what's the dependency allowance?

The dependency allowance adds up to $25 per week per dependent child under 18, with a maximum of $100 per week total. The other adjustments are mainly for rounding and ensuring you meet minimum/maximum thresholds.

That usually happens when there's a wage correction or if additional wage information comes in after your initial determination. Check if you received a revised monetary determination.

I haven't gotten any new letters. This is so frustrating, I can't get through to anyone to ask about it.

This is exactly the kind of situation where Claimyr helped me. Getting actual answers about benefit calculations from Washington ESD agents instead of just guessing what happened.

How do you file a protest? Is there a deadline?

You have 30 days from the date on your monetary determination letter. You can file online through your SecureAccess Washington account or mail in a written protest explaining what wages are missing.

It's designed to use a complete picture of your work history rather than just recent earnings. This prevents people from working one high-paying job briefly to inflate their benefits.

Still seems backwards to me. If I was making $25/hour when I got laid off, that should matter more than what I made 15 months ago.

Yes, all gross wages including overtime, bonuses, and commissions count toward your quarterly wage calculation. It's all reported together on your W-2.

good to know, that should help my benefit amount then

Good plan. And remember, if you can't get through by phone, you can also send a secure message through your online account, though responses can take several days.

Or try Claimyr if you need to talk to someone quickly. Saved me a lot of frustration with getting actual answers about my claim.

That's a good point. I'll double-check that too when I review my paperwork.

Yeah, simple mistakes like that can really mess up your benefit calculation. Always worth verifying the basic info first.

I tried that tool but it gave me a completely different number than what I actually got. Not very reliable.

The estimator is just a rough calculation. Your actual benefits depend on the specific wages reported by your employers, which might not match what you expect.

So even if I find a job and then get laid off again within that 52 weeks, I'd still get the same weekly amount?

Correct, as long as you're still within your benefit year. The wages from any new job wouldn't count until you file a new claim after your benefit year ends.

I only worked in Washington for regular employers, so that shouldn't be an issue for me.

Good, that makes it simpler. Just double-check that all your Washington employers are listed with the correct wage amounts.

Glad it helped! The Washington ESD website could definitely do a better job explaining how benefit calculations work.

Agreed, this discussion was way more helpful than anything I found on their official site.

I just started collecting so hopefully I won't need to worry about that, but good to know for the future.

Yeah, hopefully you'll find work before then. But it's good to know all your options just in case.

Definitely will do that. Thanks again everyone for all the detailed explanations!

And remember Claimyr is there if you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD quickly instead of waiting on hold all day.

I agree the amounts seem low, but unemployment is only supposed to be temporary assistance, not full salary replacement.

Easy to say when you're not the one trying to pay rent on $394 a week.

Yeah it's definitely tight but at least I understand now why it's that amount.

No way I'd qualify for the max. My highest quarter was only about $11,800.

Yeah you'd need like $25,000+ in your highest quarter to get close to the maximum benefit.

That's actually helpful context. I was expecting something closer to my full pay.

Right, unemployment is meant to be a bridge while you look for work, not full income replacement.

I've been doing 3 job search activities per week like they require. Using WorkSourceWA and keeping track of everything.

Good, that's exactly what you need to do. Keep those records in case Washington ESD audits your claim.

How do you know if they used the wrong base period?

The monetary determination notice shows the exact quarters and wages they used. If it doesn't include your most recent work, you might qualify for alternate base period.

I'll try the early morning calls first, then maybe look into that Claimyr thing if I can't get through.

7 AM calls work sometimes but you have to be literally dialing right at 7:00:00 or you'll still get busy signals.

Glad it helped! I feel like I finally understand my monetary determination now.

The key is understanding that base period vs. your most recent pay. That trips up a lot of people.

The calculation seems right now that I understand it better. But good to know I could appeal if needed.

Exactly. Most of the time the calculation is correct, people just don't understand how the base period works.

Dependency allowance is extra money you can get if you have qualifying dependents - up to $25 per week per dependent with a maximum of $75 total. Not everyone qualifies for it.

Oh I have two kids, how do I apply for that?

You need to file a dependency allowance claim form. I think it's form F800-089-000. Your dependents have to meet certain income requirements too.

How long do you have to appeal? And did you need a lawyer or anything?

You get 30 days from when they mail the determination. No lawyer needed, you can represent yourself. Just gather your pay stubs and wage records.

Always good to verify! Look at your monetary determination letter and compare the wages they show to your own records. Employers sometimes report wages incorrectly.

where do i find that letter? is it in my eServices account?

Yes, it should be in your correspondence section in eServices. They also mail a physical copy.

That's a good point. I got laid off again 6 months after finding work and my benefit amount was the same as before.

So if I go back to work and then get laid off again in 8 months, I'd still get the same $542 per week?

Exactly, as long as it's within your benefit year which is 52 weeks from when you first filed.

ok you convinced me, im gonna try claimyr tomorrow. did it cost a lot?

It was worth it to finally get answers. Much better than spending days trying to get through on my own.

This is super helpful! I think I understand now why my amount is what it is. Thanks everyone for explaining this so clearly.

Yeah this thread helped me too. I was worried they calculated mine wrong but now I see it makes sense.

Where do you find that info? Is it on the Washington ESD website?

Yeah they publish it annually. For 2025 I think the max weekly benefit is $999 but you'd have to earn a lot to qualify for the maximum.

Yes, that's called an interstate claim. Washington ESD has to coordinate with other states to get your wage information.

sounds even more complicated than the regular calculation

Unfortunately yes, that's how the system works. It's designed to be based on stable work history rather than your most recent wages.

Which is exactly why this system sucks. They punish you for having employment gaps.

Good point. I should probably double check my wage history before I submit my first weekly claim.

I'm starting to think that might be worth looking into. This is all more complicated than I expected.

same here, i had no idea unemployment calculation was this complex

So even the duration depends on the same confusing calculation?

Exactly. Your benefit year amount is roughly 30% of your total base period wages, up to a maximum.

It's never too late to review it, especially if you think wages might be missing from your calculation.

good to know, thanks for all the info everyone

I tried that calculator but got confused about which quarters to enter. This thread has been way more helpful.

Glad we could help clarify it! The system definitely isn't intuitive but at least knowing how it works helps you plan better.

I think I'm convinced. Better to get it right now than deal with problems later.

agreed, this thread showed me i definitely dont understand my calculation as well as i thought

Really? I have two kids but I don't think I got any dependency allowance. How do you apply for that?

You have to request it when you file your initial claim. If you didn't request it then, you might be able to add it later but you'd need to contact Washington ESD.

I keep hearing about Claimyr. Is it legit or is it some kind of scam?

It's totally legit. They just help you get through the phone lines faster. I was skeptical at first too but it actually worked.

Yeah I found that out the hard way. Did freelance work for 2 years and wasn't eligible for regular unemployment. Had to apply for different programs.

That's exactly why the alternate base period exists. You should request it since your recent higher earnings would likely qualify you for more benefits.

I didn't know I could request that. I'll have to call Washington ESD... or maybe try that Claimyr thing people are talking about.

Wait, there's a waiting week? So even if I file my weekly claims correctly I won't get paid for the first week?

Exactly. It's like a one-week deductible. You file the claim but don't get paid for that first week.

Yes, they aggregate all your W-2 wages by quarter regardless of how many different employers you had. It's all about total quarterly earnings.

The maximum is actually based on 63% of the average weekly wage in Washington state. For 2025 it works out to $999/week, and yes you need substantial quarterly earnings to reach that level.

I wish I made enough to worry about hitting the maximum! I'm just hoping my calculation is right so I can pay my bills.

I got 2 weeks severance. Does that mean I have to wait 2 weeks before I can collect unemployment?

It depends on how the severance was structured. Some severance delays when you can start collecting, others are just added income. You'd need to check with Washington ESD about your specific situation.

I didn't appeal but I did get mine corrected when I provided additional wage documentation. If you think there's an error it's definitely worth pursuing.

Before appealing, I'd suggest calling Washington ESD to understand exactly how they calculated your benefits. That's where Claimyr really helped me - I was able to get a detailed explanation of my calculation and it turned out to be correct.