How much are unemployment benefits in Washington ESD weekly payment amounts?

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $15,000, I'd get about $577 per week? That seems pretty decent actually.

That sounds about right. Keep in mind you'll also need to meet the minimum earnings requirement of at least $3,850 in your base year.

How did you finally get through? I'm having the same problem with my claim stuck in adjudication.

I actually found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. It was way easier than trying to call myself.

I don't have any dependents so that doesn't apply to me, but good to know for others reading this.

Wait, is that automatic or do you have to request it when you file your claim?

You need to report your dependents when you file your initial claim. Washington ESD will verify them and add the dependency allowance to your weekly benefit.

Good point! How much do they typically withhold for taxes?

They withhold 10% for federal taxes if you elect to have it taken out. No state income tax in Washington so that's not a concern.

Unemployment is designed to replace about 50% of your previous wages, so it's definitely not meant to fully replace your income. The idea is to provide temporary support while you look for new work.

yeah makes sense but still stressful when you got rent and car payments

Washington ESD adjusts the maximum and minimum benefit amounts annually based on the state's average weekly wage. That's why the maximum went up from $929 in 2024 to $999 in 2025.

Okay that's helpful. At least they're keeping up with wage increases somewhat.

How do you file the weekly claims? Is it online?

Yeah, you log into your account on the Washington ESD website and file your weekly claim every Sunday. It asks if you worked, looked for work, and if you're able and available for work.

Yes, Washington ESD has a partial benefit formula. You can earn up to your weekly benefit amount minus $5 before they start reducing your benefits. Anything over that gets deducted dollar for dollar from your weekly benefit.

So if my weekly benefit is $500, I can earn up to $495 without any reduction?

Exactly. If you earn $495 or less, you get your full $500 benefit. If you earn $600, you'd get $400 in benefits ($500 - $100 over the threshold).

You can appeal your monetary determination within 30 days if you think the benefit amount is incorrect. Usually this happens if they don't have all your wage information or if there's an error in their records.

How do I get more wage information to them? I have pay stubs from jobs they might not have on file.

You can submit additional wage information through your online account or by calling Washington ESD. If calling doesn't work, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier might help you get through to an agent who can add the missing wages.

Did your benefit amount change between the two times you filed?

yeah the second time was higher because i was making more money in the years leading up to filing

Is that service free or do they charge for it?

There's a cost but honestly it was worth it considering how much time I wasted trying to call on my own. They have all the details on their website claimyr.com.

Washington eliminated the one-week waiting period in 2020, so you can be paid for your first week of unemployment as long as you meet all the eligibility requirements.

That's great news! I was worried about having to wait an extra week for my first payment.

Mine took about 3 weeks to get approved. The key is making sure you file your weekly claims even while it's pending so you don't miss any payments once it gets approved.

Good to know. I've been filing weekly but getting anxious about the delay.

Seasonal workers use the same benefit calculation formula as everyone else. Your benefit amount is still based on your highest quarter of earnings in your base year. The seasonality doesn't change the weekly benefit amount calculation.

That makes sense. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't some different formula for seasonal work.

Agreed! I feel much more prepared to file my claim now.

Same here. The benefit calculation seemed so complicated before but it's actually pretty straightforward.

What's the difference between standby and regular unemployment benefits?

Standby is when you're temporarily laid off but expect to return to the same job within a specific timeframe. You don't have to do job search activities like regular unemployment, but the benefit amount calculation is identical.

I'm definitely going to check that out if I run into problems with my claim. The phone system at Washington ESD is brutal.

Yeah, it really is. Having a service that can actually get you through to a live person makes such a difference when you need answers about your claim.

Same here! Lots of details I wouldn't have known to ask about.

The Washington ESD website has some of this info but it's buried and hard to find. This thread breaks it down much better.

Thanks! Feeling much more confident about filing now that I understand how the benefit amounts work.

Good luck to everyone dealing with unemployment. It's tough but the benefits do help bridge the gap.

Great advice! I'll start organizing my paperwork now before I even file.

Yes! I wish someone had told me this when I first filed. Having good records saved me so much time when I had questions about my claim.