How much are unemployment benefits in Washington - confused about weekly amounts

Thanks! So it's not based on my most recent pay but on quarters from last year?

Exactly. Washington ESD uses completed quarters, so if you file now they'll look at your earnings from early 2024 back to 2023. Your recent work counts toward future claims.

47 tries?! That's insane. Is there no better way to get through to someone?

Actually there is - I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents without all the waiting and redialing. Check out claimyr.com, they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Good to know, I might pick up some shifts while looking for a new full-time job.

Just make sure you report all earnings on your weekly claim, even if it's just $20. Washington ESD is strict about this stuff.

Washington does have one of the higher maximum benefit amounts in the country. It gets adjusted annually based on the average wage.

Yeah but you have to have been earning like $130,000+ annually to qualify for the max. Most people get way less.

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs?

Job applications, networking events, career fairs, even updating your LinkedIn profile. But they're pretty specific about what documentation you need.

The WorkSourceWA system is so clunky though. Half the time I can't even log my activities properly.

That's actually really helpful to know. I was worried I'd lose everything if I took a temporary job.

Yeah but make sure your temporary job lasts long enough to establish a new base period if you want to file a new claim later with higher wages.

Only reported tip income counts - whatever shows up on your W-2. If your employer wasn't reporting all your tips to payroll, those won't be included in your benefit calculation.

Ugh, that's what I figured. Wish I'd been better about reporting all my cash tips back then.

This is why the restaurant industry is so messed up. Workers get screwed twice - once by low base wages and again when they need unemployment.

That usually means you don't have enough earnings in your base period. When did you start working? If you're a recent graduate or new to the workforce, you might not have the required earnings history yet.

Had the same issue - turns out I was looking at the wrong quarters. The base period isn't your most recent work, it's specific calendar quarters from over a year ago.

This is exactly the kind of confusing stuff that Claimyr helps with. When I used their service to get through to Washington ESD, the agent walked me through exactly which quarters they were using for my calculation.

Good advice! I always do my weekly claim Sunday night around 10pm and never have issues with the system being slow.

The weekly claim system actually works pretty well compared to trying to call them. At least you can get that done online without waiting.

6 weeks?! What kind of gap triggers adjudication?

I took 3 months off to care for my mom. Even though it was for family reasons, they had to verify I was available for work when I filed my claim.

Adjudication is a nightmare. I'm 4 weeks in and still no word. Tried calling every day but can't get through to check status.

This is another situation where Claimyr really helps. Instead of calling hundreds of times, they handle getting you connected to an actual agent who can explain what's happening with your adjudication.

Good point! I'll definitely have them withhold taxes. Don't want to owe a big chunk next April.

Yeah and if you're getting close to the max benefit amount, you might bump yourself into a higher tax bracket depending on your other income.

Temp work is treated the same as regular part-time work for unemployment purposes. You report the wages you earn each week and they deduct from your benefits accordingly.

Just make sure the temp agency is reporting your wages correctly. I had issues where they delayed reporting and it messed up my weekly claims.

I feel this so much. Spent 2 hours trying to update my job search log yesterday and the site kept timing out.

At least Washington is better than some states. My brother in Florida said their system is completely broken.

The phone situation is definitely frustrating, but services like Claimyr make it manageable. Worth it just for the peace of mind of actually talking to someone when you have questions.

Generally no, you can't get unemployment if you quit voluntarily. However, if you can prove you quit for 'good cause' (like unsafe working conditions, harassment, major changes to job duties), you might qualify. But the bar is pretty high.

Document everything first! Save emails, write down incidents with dates. If you do quit for good cause you'll need evidence to support your claim.

Thanks, I've been keeping notes but wasn't sure if it would be enough. Might talk to a lawyer first.