How much can you get from unemployment Washington ESD weekly benefit amounts?

Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base period to calculate your weekly benefit amount. They take that quarter's earnings and divide by 26 to get your weekly benefit. The maximum weekly benefit amount for 2025 is $999 per week. With your salary of $52k, you'd probably get somewhere around $500-600 per week depending on when your highest quarter was.

The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be January 2024 through December 2024. Washington ESD looks at which quarter you earned the most in that period.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about your benefit calculation, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made it so much easier than trying to call myself and getting hung up on constantly.

The benefit amount also depends on if you have any dependents. You can get an additional $25 per week for each dependent child under 18. So if you have two kids, that's an extra $50 per week on top of your regular benefit amount.

Just remember the weekly benefit amount is before taxes! Washington ESD will withhold federal taxes if you elect to have them taken out, but you'll still owe state taxes. The 1099-G form they send you at the end of the year will show your total benefits received.

The maximum weekly benefit amount goes up every year based on the state's average wage. It was $929 in 2024 and $999 in 2025. But most people don't get the maximum - you'd need to have earned over $25,000 in your highest quarter to get the full $999.

One thing to watch out for - if you have any other income while collecting unemployment, like part-time work or freelance income, you have to report it on your weekly claim. Washington ESD will reduce your benefit amount dollar for dollar if you earn more than your weekly benefit amount.

The benefit calculation can get confusing if you had irregular income or worked multiple jobs. Washington ESD looks at all your W-2 wages from all employers in your base period. If you're not sure about your benefit amount, you can create an account on their website and see an estimate.

Don't forget you also have to be actively looking for work and report your job search activities every week. Washington ESD requires at least 3 job search activities per week. You can't just collect benefits without looking for work.

If you end up needing to call Washington ESD about your benefit amount or any other issues, seriously consider using Claimyr. I wasted so many hours trying to get through on my own. Their system at claimyr.com automatically calls and waits on hold for you, then connects you when an agent picks up. Game changer.

Also keep in mind that unemployment benefits are considered taxable income by the IRS. You'll need to report them on your tax return. Some people get surprised by owing taxes at the end of the year if they didn't have withholding taken out.

The 26 weeks of regular UI benefits can be extended during high unemployment periods, but right now in 2025 it's just the standard 26 weeks. After that you'd need to look into other programs if you're still unemployed.

Your benefit year lasts for 52 weeks from when you first file your claim, but you can only collect for 26 weeks during that time. If you go back to work and then get laid off again within that benefit year, you might be able to reopen your claim.

One more thing - if you're in a union, you might get additional benefits through your union. Some unions have supplemental unemployment benefits that can add to your Washington ESD payments. Check with your union rep if you have one.

The key thing is to file your claim as soon as possible after you lose your job. There's a one-week waiting period before you can start collecting benefits, but that week counts from when you file, not when you actually get approved.

Make sure you understand the difference between your weekly benefit amount and your maximum benefit amount. Your weekly benefit amount is what you get each week, but your maximum benefit amount is the total you can collect over the 26 weeks. It's usually 26 times your weekly benefit amount.

Last thing - if you ever have trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone (and trust me, you probably will), don't waste hours on hold. I used Claimyr twice during my unemployment period and it saved me so much time and frustration. The video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ shows exactly how it works.

This was really helpful! I bookmarked this thread because I might need to reference it later. The Washington ESD website has a lot of this info too but it's not explained as clearly as you all did here.

Hope this helps! Unemployment can be stressful but at least Washington has decent benefit amounts compared to some other states. Just make sure you follow all the rules and keep up with your weekly claims and job search requirements.