How much are unemployment wages in Washington - confused about benefit amounts

Thanks! So if I made about $18/hour for 8 months, what would that roughly work out to per week?

It's roughly 3.85% of your total wages in your highest quarter, but there's a formula. If you made around $6,000 in your highest quarter, you'd probably get around $400-450 per week, but that's just a rough estimate.

It's not exactly half - Washington ESD uses a specific calculation based on your quarterly wages, not your hourly rate. The benefit amount can vary quite a bit depending on when you worked and how much you earned in each quarter.

ok thanks, i was just going off what my friend told me

Really? How does that work? I thought you had to just keep calling the regular number.

Yeah, Claimyr basically handles the calling for you and gets you connected when an agent is available. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting hung up on. Worth checking out if you need to actually speak to someone at Washington ESD.

I was skeptical about services like that but honestly the Washington ESD phone system is so broken right now. Might be worth it just to get real answers about benefit amounts.

I understand the frustration, but the benefit calculation is actually pretty straightforward once you understand the base year concept. The delays in adjudication are definitely a separate issue from benefit amount calculations.

Maybe for you it's straightforward but when they're telling me I made wages in quarters I didn't even work, something's wrong with their system.

This is super helpful! I think my highest quarters would be around $5,500 each, so that would put me around $420 per week if I'm doing the math right.

That sounds about right. Just remember you'll also need to meet the job search requirements - 3 job contacts per week unless you're on standby with your employer.

Yes, standby is when you have a definite return-to-work date with your employer, usually within 6 weeks. Regular UI is when you're actively looking for new employment. Standby claims don't require job search activities.

Oh okay, that makes sense. I don't have a return date so I'd be filing regular UI then.

That's the gross amount before taxes. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them when you file your return. Most people choose to have 10% federal tax withheld.

thanks, good to know

How do you know if they have the right wage information? Is there a way to check before filing?

You can request a wage and benefit inquiry to see what wages Washington ESD has on file for you. It's better to check this before filing if you suspect there might be missing wages.

That's encouraging! How long did it take from filing to getting your determination?

About 5 business days. I didn't have any adjudication issues though, which probably sped things up.

Yes, you'll need to file what's called an interstate claim. Washington ESD will request wage information from the other state(s) where you worked. This can sometimes delay your claim processing but shouldn't reduce your benefit amount if all wages are properly reported.

Good to know, thanks. I worked in Oregon for part of last year so I'll make sure to mention that when I file.

The calculator is usually accurate for straightforward situations, but it can be off if you have missing wages, worked in multiple states, or have other complications. The monetary determination letter will have your actual benefit amount.

Mine was off by about $50 because I had some seasonal work that wasn't showing up correctly in their system. Had to provide pay stubs to get it fixed.

Good to hear another positive experience with them. I might try that if I run into issues with my claim.

I was hesitant to use a third-party service but honestly Washington ESD's phone system is so unreliable. Sometimes you need to talk to a real person to get accurate information.

That's good to know! So if I get $400 per week, I could earn around $120 from part-time work without it affecting my benefits?

Roughly, yes. The exact calculation is a bit more complex but that's a good rule of thumb. You still have to report all earnings when you file your weekly claim.

The current formula is designed to be more fair to people with varying income levels throughout the year. A straight percentage might not work as well for seasonal workers or people who had significant wage changes during their base year.

i guess that makes sense but its still confusing for regular people trying to figure out their benefits

I didn't know you could come back to the same claim! That's actually really helpful information.

Yep, as long as you're still within your benefit year and haven't exhausted all your weeks or dollar amount. Just remember you'll need to reopen your claim and meet all the eligibility requirements again.

Glad we could help! Don't hesitate to ask if you run into any issues during the filing process.

Good luck with your claim! Remember to file your weekly claims on time and keep track of your job search activities.

That's really reassuring to hear. I'll definitely keep that option in mind if I need help navigating the system.

Same here. The automated phone system is useless when you have specific questions about your claim calculation.