How much do u get unemployment in Washington - what's the weekly benefit amount?

thanks! so they look at my best quarter not my most recent pay? that might actually help since i got a raise 6 months ago

Yeah the base year calculation can work in your favor sometimes. They take your two highest quarters and divide by 26 to get your weekly amount.

wow thats more than i expected. how long did it take to get approved?

About 3 weeks for me, but I had a straightforward layoff. Some people wait longer if there's adjudication issues.

good to know about the job search thing. do they actually check up on that?

Yes, they can audit your job search log at any time. Keep detailed records of where you applied, when, and any responses. WorkSourceWA is a good place to find jobs and document your search.

they audited mine last month and i had to provide all my job search documentation. definitely keep good records!

Try calling right at 8am when they open, but honestly I found claimyr.com after weeks of frustration. They help you get through to Washington ESD agents - there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of redialing.

never heard of that service, does it actually work? seems too good to be true

I was skeptical too but it worked for me. They handle the calling and waiting, then connect you when an agent picks up. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

what kind of acronyms? want to be prepared

UI means unemployment insurance, adjudication is when they investigate something on your claim, able and available means you're ready to work. stuff like that

Don't forget about the waiting period after you file - even though there's no waiting week, it still takes time to process your initial claim.

that seems low compared to what the other person said they got. is there a minimum amount?

yeah the minimum is like $295 i think. depends on how much you made in your base period quarters

mine was definitely a layoff, company closed our whole department. should be ok then?

Yeah that sounds clean cut. Just make sure you report it accurately when you file.

even layoffs can get complicated if the employer contests it. happened to my friend and took 2 months to resolve

I understand the frustration, but most claims are processed within 2-3 weeks. Extended delays usually happen when there are eligibility questions that need investigation.

tell that to the thousands of people still waiting. system is overwhelmed and understaffed

good tip! so you file weekly claims right away even before getting approved?

exactly! you can file weekly claims as soon as you submit your initial application

ugh didnt even think about taxes. how much do they withhold?

I think it's 10% federal if you opt for withholding. Washington doesn't have state income tax so that's not an issue.

how much does that cost? seems like we shouldnt have to pay extra just to reach a government agency

i agree it shouldn't be necessary, but when you're stuck waiting for benefits it's worth it. they handle all the calling frustration for you

thats helpful context. sounds like i should expect somewhere in the 500-700 range based on my income

probably yeah. just file as soon as you can, the sooner you apply the sooner payments start

how detailed does the log need to be?

company name, position applied for, date, method of contact. keep it simple but complete

oh theres a calculator? ill check that out thanks

yeah its under the 'file a claim' section. gives you a rough estimate based on your wages

definitely will do that. thanks for all the helpful advice everyone!

no problem! unemployment can be stressful but the system works once you get through the initial setup

several people mentioned that service, might be worth keeping in mind if i have problems

definitely. hope you don't need it but good to know it exists if you get stuck