How much can I collect from Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

That's actually more than I expected! Do you know if partial unemployment pays less if I'm still working some hours?

Yes, with partial unemployment they reduce your weekly benefit based on how much you earn that week. You can generally earn up to about 25% of your weekly benefit amount without any reduction, then they start deducting dollar for dollar after that.

I should definitely have enough since I've been pretty consistent with my hours. Thanks for the heads up though!

How much does that cost? I'm already worried about money and don't want to pay extra fees.

It's worth it when you consider how much time you save not being on hold. I was able to get my questions answered in one call instead of trying for weeks.

I used something similar when I couldn't reach anyone about my claim status. Sometimes these services are the only way to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD.

This is super helpful! I never understood the base period thing before. So they look back at like the last year of work?

Actually it's the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, they'd look at July-September 2024, April-June 2024, January-March 2024, and October-December 2023.

That's exactly right. They use your highest quarters, not your most recent ones. It's designed to give you benefits based on when you were earning the most.

wow ok that actually helps me then because i was making way more at my old job

Do they actually check that you're applying to jobs or is it just on the honor system?

They do audit claims randomly and can ask for proof of your job search activities. You need to keep records of where you applied, when, and any responses you got.

You might still qualify depending on how much you earned in those 8 months. There's also an alternate base period they can use if you don't qualify under the regular one - it looks at more recent quarters.

Oh good, I was worried I wouldn't get anything at all. I'll definitely need to call Washington ESD to check.

That's exactly when I'd recommend using Claimyr again - when you have specific questions about your eligibility. Much easier than trying to get through on your own.

Correct - they adjust it annually based on the state average weekly wage. The 2025 maximum is $999 per week, up from around $929 in 2024.

If they deny your claim, you have the right to appeal the decision. You get a notice explaining why you were denied and instructions on how to file an appeal.

how long does that take though? i can't wait months without any income

Appeals can take several weeks to a few months depending on the complexity. That's why it's important to file as soon as possible and make sure all your information is accurate from the start.

Tips that are reported to the IRS should count toward your base period wages. Make sure your employer is properly reporting them, or if you report them yourself as a tipped employee, keep good records.

ok good because tips are like half my income. i better make sure my manager is reporting them right

That's good to know! Did you have any issues with the weekly claims or was it pretty automatic once you got approved?

The weekly claims were easy once I got used to the system. Just make sure to file every week even if you worked some hours, and always report your gross earnings before taxes.

Oh wow I didn't even think about that. So the amount they give you isn't what you actually take home?

Right, just like regular wages. You can elect to have 10% federal tax withheld when you set up your claim, or handle it yourself when filing taxes.

Tell me about it! I spent literally hours on hold last time just to ask one simple question about my benefit calculation.

This is exactly why I ended up using Claimyr - I was getting nowhere with the regular phone system. They connected me to an agent within minutes instead of hours of waiting.

Yeah I heard some states only pay like $300 max per week. At least here you can get close to $1000 if you were making good money.

Good point! I'm hoping I won't need it but better to know this stuff ahead of time.

Agreed, the website works pretty well most of the time. Just make sure to file early in the week in case there are any technical issues.

How quickly were you able to get connected? I've been putting off calling because I know it's going to be a nightmare.

It was way faster than I expected. Instead of being on hold for hours, I was talking to someone within like 10-15 minutes. Definitely worth it when you actually need help.

Thanks everyone! This has been super helpful. I feel like I actually understand how this works now instead of being completely confused.

You're welcome! The system seems complicated at first but once you understand the basics it's pretty straightforward. Good luck with everything!