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

Washington ESD uses your highest quarter earnings from your base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed). They divide that by 26 to get your weekly benefit amount, but there's also a cap. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999. Your calculation seems about right if your highest quarter was around $17,800.

washington esd calculations are so confusing... mine came out way lower than i expected too. took me forever to figure out they weren't using my current salary

If you're having trouble understanding your monetary determination or think there might be an error, I'd suggest calling Washington ESD directly. The phone lines are usually swamped though. I recently discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to ESD agents without the usual busy signals and hold times. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to discuss your calculation with someone at ESD.

The formula is: (Highest Quarter Wages ÷ 26) = Weekly Benefit Amount, but capped at the maximum. Washington also requires you to have earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period and your total base period wages must be at least 680 times the state minimum wage. For 2025, that's about $11,560 minimum total base period wages.

I'm so frustrated with this whole system!!! My benefit amount is only $425 even though I was making $3800 a month before I got laid off. How is that fair??? The rent doesn't care what quarter they use for calculations!

same boat here... thought my calculation was wrong at first but turns out washington esd just uses old wages. such a weird system

For anyone still confused, here's a simple example: If your highest quarter wages were $15,000, your weekly benefit would be $15,000 ÷ 26 = $576 (assuming that's under the maximum). Washington also pays a $25 weekly dependency allowance for each dependent child under 18, up to 5 children.

The whole system is designed to screw over working people. They use your oldest wages, cap your benefits, and make you jump through hoops every week. Meanwhile cost of living keeps going up but benefits stay flat.

If you need to clarify anything about your monetary determination or request alternate base period, calling Washington ESD is really your best option. Like I mentioned before, Claimyr has been a game-changer for actually getting through to speak with someone. The regular phone system just hangs up on you after putting you on hold forever.

Important note: If you worked for multiple employers during your base period, Washington ESD will use wages from ALL qualifying employers, not just your most recent one. This can sometimes result in higher benefits than people expect.

ALWAYS double-check your wage records on your monetary determination! Employers sometimes report wages incorrectly or late. If your determination shows wages that seem too low, you have the right to appeal and provide your own wage documentation.

this thread has been super helpful. i was totally confused about my benefit amount but now it makes sense why it seemed random

One more thing to remember: your weekly benefit amount stays the same throughout your entire benefit year (52 weeks from when you filed), even if you get a new job and then lose it again. The calculation doesn't update until you file a completely new claim.

At least now I understand why my amount is what it is, even if I don't like it. Thanks everyone for explaining this stuff. Washington ESD should make this clearer in their materials.

Glad this thread helped clarify things! If anyone does need to contact Washington ESD about their calculations, definitely consider using Claimyr to avoid the phone system frustration. Sometimes you really do need to talk to a human to sort out wage reporting issues or dependency allowances.

Final tip: Keep all your employment records (pay stubs, W-2s, etc.) from your base period. If there's ever a question about your wages or if you need to appeal, you'll have the documentation ready. Washington ESD can request verification of wages at any time.

thanks everyone, this was way better than trying to decode that confusing determination letter on my own

bookmarking this thread for future reference. unemployment math is complicated but at least now i get the basics