How much can unemployment pay in Washington State - what's the maximum weekly benefit?

The maximum weekly benefit amount for Washington unemployment is $999 per week as of 2025. Your actual amount depends on your earnings during your base period, which is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim.

i think its around $900 something but not sure exactly, i got like $847 a week when i was on unemployment last year

I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD to ask about my benefit amount calculation. Spent hours on hold multiple times. Finally found this service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual agent who explained everything. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Your weekly benefit amount is calculated as a percentage of your average weekly wage during your base period. For Washington, it's typically around 50% of your average weekly earnings, up to the maximum of $999. But there's also a minimum amount - I think it's around $295 per week.

Make sure you have all your wage information ready when you file. Washington ESD will verify your earnings with your employers, but having your pay stubs helps speed up the process. I made $3,800 a month and ended up getting $962 per week.

The calculation is confusing but basically they look at your highest earning quarter during your base period and use that to determine your weekly benefit. If you worked consistently at that $4,200/month salary, you should get close to the max.

Washington ESD's website has a benefit calculator tool but honestly it's not very user-friendly. I tried using it and got confused about which quarters to include. Ended up just filing and letting them calculate it for me.

Keep in mind you also have to meet the job search requirements to keep receiving benefits. In Washington you have to apply for at least 3 jobs per week and keep a log of your job search activities.

The maximum has gone up over the years. When I was on unemployment in 2022 it was lower, but they've increased it to keep up with cost of living I guess.

Don't forget that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You'll get a 1099-G form at tax time. I learned that the hard way my first year on unemployment and owed money when I filed my taxes.

I've been trying to get clarification on my benefit amount calculation from Washington ESD for weeks. Every time I call I either get disconnected or can't get through. Someone mentioned Claimyr earlier - has anyone else used that service?

The benefit amount also depends on whether you qualify for any additional benefits. If you have dependents you might qualify for dependency allowances that add to your weekly amount.

Make sure to file as soon as possible after your job ends. You can't get benefits for weeks before you file your initial claim, even if you were eligible during those weeks.

The system is so complicated. Why can't they just tell you upfront what you'll get instead of making you wait for approval to find out your benefit amount?

Pro tip: when you do your weekly claims, make sure to certify on time. If you're even a day late it can delay your payment and cause problems with your claim.

At $4,200/month you should definitely get close to the maximum weekly benefit. Just make sure all your employer information is accurate when you file so there are no delays in processing your claim.

One more thing - you can usually get your first payment within 2-3 weeks of filing if everything goes smoothly. But if there are any issues with your claim it can take much longer.

Washington ESD also has a standby program for certain industries where you might be temporarily laid off but expected to return to work. The benefit calculation is the same but the process is a bit different.

I had to use Claimyr twice - once when I first filed and couldn't get through to ask questions, and again when my claim went into adjudication. Both times they helped me reach an agent who could actually help. Definitely worth it if you're having trouble with the phone system.

Just remember that the $999 maximum is gross, so after taxes and any other deductions you'll take home less than that. But it's still a decent amount to help bridge the gap while you're looking for work.

Just went through this process myself last month. With your $4,200 monthly salary, you should definitely qualify for close to the maximum $999 weekly benefit, assuming you worked at that level for at least a few months during your base period. The key thing is that Washington ESD calculates based on your highest-earning quarter, so if you were consistently making that amount, you're in good shape. Make sure to file online as soon as possible - the sooner you get your claim in, the sooner you'll start receiving benefits. Good luck with your claim!