How much can I earn on Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your earnings from the highest quarter in your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). They take your highest quarter earnings and divide by 26. For 2025, the maximum weekly benefit is $999. So if you were making $18/hour full time, you'd probably get somewhere around $400-500 per week depending on your exact earnings history.

Thanks! That's actually more than I expected. Do I need to report any part-time work I might pick up?

Yes, you have to report ANY work and earnings when you file your weekly claim. You can earn up to your weekly benefit amount minus $5 before they start reducing your benefits.

The calculation is confusing but basically they look at all 4 quarters in your base period and use the highest one. I was making about the same as you and got $456 per week. Just make sure you report your wages accurately when you file your initial claim or it could delay everything.

Good to know, thanks. How long did it take for your claim to get processed?

About 2 weeks for me, but I know some people have been waiting longer if their claim goes into adjudication.

I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks to ask about my benefit calculation because the amount seems wrong. Their phone system is impossible - I either get busy signals or sit on hold for hours just to get disconnected. Has anyone found a way to actually reach them?

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an actual agent. I used it last month and got through in about 30 minutes instead of spending days trying myself. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that but I'm desperate at this point. Did they charge you a lot?

It was worth it for me since I was wasting so much time trying to call myself. Way less stressful than dealing with busy signals all day.

just fyi the max went up this year its $999 now not the old amount

Good to know, thanks!

One thing to watch out for - if you had any gaps in employment or worked part-time during your base period, it can really affect your benefit amount. I learned this the hard way when I got way less than I expected because I had taken some time off between jobs.

I worked pretty consistently so hopefully that won't be an issue for me.

Yeah you should be fine then. Just make sure all your employers from the last 18 months are listed correctly on your claim.

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator tool but honestly it's not very accurate. Mine was off by like $80 per week. Best to just file and see what they give you, then call if it seems wrong.

Where is the calculator on their website? I couldn't find it.

I think it's under the 'Before You Apply' section but like I said, it's not very reliable anyway.

Also remember you can potentially get benefits for up to 26 weeks in Washington, assuming you have enough wage credits. So if you get $450/week, that's about $11,700 total over 6 months. Make sure you're actively looking for work though - they require 3 job search activities per week.

What counts as job search activities? Just applying for jobs?

Applying for jobs, networking events, career fairs, updating your resume, informational interviews - lots of things count. You track it all in your WorkSourceWA account.

The job search requirements are such a pain. I spend more time documenting my searches than actually looking for work sometimes.

I'm confused about the base period thing. Is that the same as the last 4 quarters I worked? I had some medical issues last year and wasn't working for a few months.

The standard base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, they'd look at Jan-Mar 2024, Apr-Jun 2024, Jul-Sep 2024, and Oct-Dec 2024. If you don't have enough wages in the standard base period, they can use an alternate base period.

That's really confusing but thanks for explaining. I guess I'll just have to see what happens when I file.

Whatever you do, don't lie about your earnings or work history. Washington ESD cross-checks everything and if they catch you in a lie, you could get disqualified and have to pay back benefits. I've seen it happen.

Definitely planning to be completely honest. Not worth the risk.

Yeah they're pretty thorough. They even check with your previous employers to verify everything.

The system is SO slow right now. I filed 3 weeks ago and still haven't gotten my first payment. My claim is stuck in adjudication and nobody at Washington ESD will tell me why or how long it's going to take.

Same here! Been waiting over a month. I tried using that Claimyr service someone mentioned and finally got through to an agent who said they're backed up because of high volume. At least I got an explanation.

Maybe I should try that too. This is ridiculous.

Adjudication can take forever. Mine took 6 weeks last year. Just keep filing your weekly claims even while you're waiting.

Don't forget about taxes! Unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can have them withhold 10% for federal taxes when you file your weekly claims, or you'll owe it all at tax time.

Good point, I didn't think about that. I'll probably have them withhold it.

Yeah definitely do the withholding. I got hit with a huge tax bill last year because I forgot about it.

The whole system is a mess. I've been trying to reach someone at Washington ESD for weeks about my benefit amount and can't get through. Their online system doesn't give you enough detail about how they calculated it.

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr. Got connected to an agent who walked me through my whole benefit calculation and explained why it was what it was. Worth every penny to not have to deal with the phone system.

I might have to look into that. This is driving me crazy.

If you're getting less than you expected, make sure they have all your employers listed. Sometimes they miss one and it can make a big difference in your weekly benefit amount.

How do I check if they have all my employers? Is that in my account somewhere?

It should show your wage history in your account under 'View Claim Status' or something like that. If you see any missing employers, you need to contact Washington ESD right away.

I got about $380/week when I was making $16/hour so yours should be higher. Just be patient with the process - it takes time but you'll get your money eventually.

Thanks, that's reassuring. I'm just anxious to get everything started.

File as soon as possible though - you can't get benefits for weeks before you file your claim.

The monetary determination letter they send you will break down exactly how they calculated your benefit amount. Keep that letter - you'll need it if you ever have to appeal or if there are any issues.

Good to know, I'll watch for that letter. How long after filing do they send it?

Usually within a week or two of filing your initial claim, assuming there are no issues.

Make sure you understand the difference between your weekly benefit amount and what you'll actually get. If you do any part-time work, they'll reduce your benefits dollar for dollar after the first $5 you earn.

So if my weekly benefit is $400 and I earn $100 from part-time work, I'd get $305 from unemployment?

Exactly. $400 minus ($100 - $5) = $305. Just make sure you report all earnings when you file your weekly claim.

One last thing - if you're thinking about going back to school while on unemployment, check if you qualify for the Training Benefits program. It can extend your benefits while you're in approved training.

That's interesting, I hadn't heard of that. I'll look into it.

Yeah but you have to get approved before you start the training. Can't just enroll in school and then ask for it.