How much are unemployment benefits in Washington ESD - what's the weekly amount?

Thanks! So if I made $12,600 in my highest quarter, that would be about $485 per week? That's actually better than I expected.

yeah sounds about right, i got similar when i filed last year

This is really helpful! I need to gather my pay stubs to figure out my quarterly earnings.

Don't forget you can also check your wage history on the Washington ESD website once you create your account. It shows all reported wages from employers.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service 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. Saved me so much frustration.

Really? I've never heard of that. Does it actually work for getting through to Washington ESD?

I used Claimyr last month when my claim got stuck in adjudication. They got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of the usual 3+ hour wait times.

I don't have kids so that won't apply to me, but good to know for others reading this.

Actually I think the dependent allowance might be higher now, like $35 per child. The amounts change every year.

Oh no, I didn't think about taxes! Can you have them withhold taxes from the weekly payments?

Yes, when you file your initial claim Washington ESD gives you the option to have 10% withheld for federal taxes. I'd recommend doing that to avoid a big tax bill later.

Perfect, I'll check that out. Should save me from having to call them just for this question.

That calculator helped me figure out I was eligible for way more than I thought. Definitely worth using.

True, but the cost of living here is also way higher than most places, so it evens out somewhat.

Good point about cost of living. Even $500 a week doesn't go as far in Seattle as it would in other places.

How many job applications do you need to do per week? I've heard different numbers.

It's typically 3 job search activities per week, but activities include more than just applications. Training, networking events, and career counseling count too.

The WorkSource registration is super important. I forgot to do it when I first filed and it delayed my benefits for two weeks.

How long did the verification take? I'm hoping to get my first payment within a few weeks of filing.

It took about 3 weeks total, but that was because my employer was slow to respond. Most verifications are faster.

I feel your pain. The waiting is the worst part, especially when you have bills to pay.

This is exactly why services like Claimyr are so valuable. Being able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD can resolve issues that would otherwise take weeks to clear up on their own.

Good reminder! When do the weekly claims usually open up? Is it the same day every week?

Weekly claims open on Sunday and you have until the following Saturday to file. But don't wait - file as early in the week as possible in case there are any technical issues.

I just got laid off last week, so I should be good on timing. Planning to file this weekend.

Smart move. I waited a month to file and ended up with lower benefits because my base year calculation changed.

That would be a huge relief honestly. Enough to cover my basic expenses while I job hunt.

Just remember that benefits are temporary. The standard duration is 26 weeks, so use the time wisely to find your next job.

Overtime pay absolutely counts toward your benefit calculation. If Washington ESD is questioning it, you'll need to provide documentation like pay stubs showing the overtime hours and rates.

I had this happen too. Had to send them three months of pay stubs to prove the overtime was legitimate. Eventually got it sorted out.

How long after filing do you usually get that letter? Through mail or email?

Usually within 1-2 weeks of filing your initial claim. It comes through your online account and sometimes by mail too. Check your secure messages on the Washington ESD website regularly.