How much do you get for unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

Thanks! That's way more helpful than the Washington ESD website. Do I need to set up the eServices account before I apply?

Yes, you'll need to create your account through SecureAccess Washington first. It's the same login for both filing your claim and doing your weekly claims later.

How long did it take to get someone on the phone? I'm worried I'll have questions too.

honestly like 3 hours of calling and getting hung up on, super frustrating

Never heard of this - does it actually work? Seems too good to be true.

I was skeptical too but it actually connected me within 20 minutes. Much better than the endless busy signals I was getting before.

This could be really useful if I run into issues. Thanks for sharing!

That's way more than I expected! So if I was making $4200/month that would be about $970/week, so I'd get close to the max?

Yeah you'd probably hit the maximum since your wages were pretty high. The exact calculation uses your base period wages divided by 52 weeks.

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $15k, I'd get about $577 per week? That seems pretty good actually.

Yep, that sounds about right. Just remember you have to meet the job search requirements and file your weekly claims on time.

That's helpful thanks! So they look at my best quarter not my total annual income?

Exactly. They take your highest earning quarter, divide by 13 weeks, then calculate roughly 50% of that as your weekly benefit amount.

$384 weekly would actually work for me temporarily. How long did it take for your first payment to come through?

About 3 weeks total - one week waiting period plus two weeks for processing. Make sure you file your weekly claims on time or you'll lose those weeks.

Thanks! So they don't look at all four quarters, just the highest one? That's actually better than I thought since I had one really good quarter last year.

Wait, what's this additional $25 benefit? I never heard about that part.

Did you have any issues with the job search requirements since restaurant work can be so unpredictable with scheduling?

The job search part was actually easier than expected. You need to do 3 job search activities per week and keep a log in WorkSourceWA. Restaurant experience transfers to lots of hospitality jobs.

That formula is super helpful! So if my highest quarter was around $14,000, that would put me at about $207 per week? That seems low...

Yeah that sounds about right for your income level. Remember you also might qualify for the additional $25 weekly if you have dependents.

It's not exactly 60% of wages. Washington ESD uses the quarter method that the previous poster explained. The percentage varies depending on your earnings pattern.

oh ok thanks for clearing that up

So if I was making around $4,200 monthly that would be about $970 weekly, so I'd probably get close to the max?

Exactly! You'd likely qualify for the maximum benefit amount since your weekly wages were around $970. Definitely worth filing.

That's encouraging to hear. How long did it take for your first payment to come through?

took about 3 weeks for me but that was because they had to verify my employment history

Thanks! I'll check out the calculator. Do you know if they count overtime hours in the calculation?

Yes, overtime counts toward your base period wages. They look at all wages reported to Washington ESD during your base period quarters.

Is that legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my claim and can never get through.

Yeah it's legitimate. I was skeptical too but it actually worked when I needed to check on my adjudication status. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

That's actually higher than I expected! Do you know if they still have the waiting week requirement?

No waiting week anymore - that was eliminated a few years back. You can get paid for your first week of unemployment if you're eligible.

What happens if I don't have enough qualifying wages? I only started this job 8 months ago.

You should still be fine if you worked consistently for 8 months. Washington ESD needs you to have earned at least $4,840 in your base period, which sounds like you'd meet easily.

Wait, I'm confused about the base period thing. Is that the last 12 months or something different?

It's not exactly 50% - the formula is more complicated than that. It depends on which quarter you earned the most and how much you made in other quarters too.

This is really helpful! So if I made like $8000 in my best quarter and $6500 in my second best, that would be $14500 divided by 52 = about $279 per week? But that's under the minimum so I'd get $295?

Exactly right! The minimum weekly benefit amount ensures you get at least $295 even if your calculated amount is lower.

This is super detailed, thank you! What if I had multiple jobs during that time period?

All qualifying wages from all employers during your base period count toward the calculation. Washington ESD will pull wage records from all your W-2 jobs automatically.

What are the job search requirements? I heard they changed recently.

You need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a log of your activities. Has to be genuine job search efforts, not just random applications.

That sounds too good to be true. How does it actually work?

It's legit - they basically handle the waiting and calling for you. When they get an agent on the line, they connect you directly. Much better than sitting on hold for hours.

It's actually calculated using your two highest earning quarters in your base period, not just 50% of your weekly wage. The formula is a bit more complex than that.

oh ok thanks for the correction. the whole base period thing is confusing to me

Tell me about it! I spent literally 6 hours on hold yesterday trying to get my adjudication resolved.

Have you tried Claimyr? It's this service at claimyr.com that calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an agent. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much time when my claim got stuck.

Never heard of that but honestly anything is better than sitting on hold all day. Will check it out.

That's really helpful, thank you! So if I made $12,600 in my highest quarter, that would be about $470/week?

Actually, let me correct that - the multiplier is different. You'd divide $12,600 by 26 to get $484, then the benefit is based on that weekly average. You should definitely use the official calculator for accuracy.

Oh wow, I didn't even think about taxes. How do you request the withholding?

You can do it when you file your initial claim or change it later in your account. They'll withhold 10% for federal taxes if you elect it.

What's adjudication? Should I be worried about that when I file?

It's when they need to review something about your claim before approving it. Could be anything from verifying your reason for leaving your job to checking your work history. Just means it takes longer to get approved.

Adjudication is pretty common now. As long as you're honest on your application and have a valid reason for unemployment, you should be fine. Just takes patience.

Good point! Can you set up tax withholding when you file or do you have to do it later?

You can set it up when you file your initial claim or change it later through your online account. I'd recommend doing it right away to avoid a big tax bill.

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs?

Applying for jobs, networking events, career fairs, updating your resume, even some training programs. You have to log everything in WorkSourceWA.

Ugh the job search requirement is such a pain. I spend more time documenting my searches than actually searching sometimes.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. I used it last month and actually got to talk to someone within 30 minutes. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They basically call Washington ESD for you and get you connected to an actual agent. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked - got through in about 20 minutes instead of spending all day trying. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Really? That sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost?

It's worth it when you're dealing with something important like getting your benefit amount figured out. Way better than wasting entire days trying to call yourself.

Never heard of Claimyr before. Did it actually work for getting through to someone?

Yes! I was stuck in phone tree hell for weeks trying to reach Washington ESD about my adjudication. Claimyr got me connected to an agent within a couple hours.

How much does that cost? I'm already worried about money if I have to file for unemployment.

It's worth it when you consider how much time you save not having to redial constantly. Plus getting accurate information about your benefit amount upfront can help you plan better.

How many job searches do you have to do per week?

3 per week minimum but honestly do more than that. keep detailed records of where you applied, when, and any responses you get

The job search requirement is 3 activities per week and you need to log them in your WorkSourceWA account. Can be applications, networking, job fairs, etc.

The Washington ESD website does have a benefit calculator tool, but it's pretty buried in their site navigation.

yeah i tried that thing and it was useless, gave me some huge range instead of actual numbers

Good to know about the weekly filing deadline. Is there any flexibility if you forget?

Nope, Washington ESD is pretty strict about it. The weekly claim filing period closes and that's it. Set a reminder on your phone.

That's really helpful info. Is the base period always the same or does it change depending on when you file?

The base period is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you file in March 2025, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024.

What if you don't qualify under the regular base period? I heard there's an alternate base period option.

Yes, if you don't qualify under the regular base period, Washington ESD will automatically check your alternate base period, which uses the last 4 completed quarters.

Oh wow, that's way different than I thought. So recent wages don't count?

Exactly - there's a lag period. But Washington ESD also has an alternate base period option if your regular base period doesn't qualify you for benefits.

This is getting confusing. Maybe I should just call Washington ESD directly to ask about my specific situation.

THIS! I spent weeks trying to get through to clarify my benefit amount. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual ESD agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

Interesting, never heard of that service. How does it work exactly?

Basically they handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when they get an agent on the line. Way better than sitting on hold for hours yourself.

I tried that calculator but it gave me a really vague range. I need to know the exact amount for budgeting purposes.

Yeah the online calculator isn't very precise. You'll get your exact weekly benefit amount in your determination letter after you file your claim.

Oh wow I didn't even think about taxes. How much do they typically withhold?

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

Wait really? I've been getting unemployment for 2 months and nobody told me about taxes. Am I going to owe a bunch of money?

Did you account for any deductible income or part-time work during your base period? That can affect the calculation.

No part-time work, just full-time employment. Turns out they had incorrect wage information from one of my employers. Took another 2 weeks to get it corrected.

Close - you need to have earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period, with total earnings of at least $3,850 in your base period, AND at least $1,635 in your highest earning quarter.

Thanks! Those specific numbers are helpful. The eligibility requirements are pretty detailed.

Good point about the pay stubs. I think I have most of them but probably missing a few. Do they require every single one?

They can get wage info directly from employers usually, but having your own records helps if there are any discrepancies during the claims process.

That was fast! How long did the whole application process take you?

About 45 minutes online. Most of the time was spent gathering my employment information and making sure I had all the dates right.

What counts as a job search activity? I'm already planning to apply to jobs obviously.

Job applications count, but also things like attending job fairs, networking events, or taking skills training. You log everything in your WorkSourceWA account.

The job search requirement is such a pain honestly. Like we're not already stressed enough about finding work.

That helps give me a realistic expectation. Did you have any issues with your claim getting approved?

Nope, pretty straightforward since I was laid off due to lack of work. If you quit or got fired it might be more complicated.

Yes you can work part-time, but you have to report all earnings on your weekly claim. They'll reduce your benefit by a portion of what you earn. There's a formula but basically you can earn up to about $200 before it starts affecting your benefits significantly.

Thanks! I'll make sure to report everything accurately. The last thing I want is an overpayment notice down the road.

Good point! I didn't realize there was a waiting period. That's going to be tight financially.

The waiting period is waived during certain emergencies, but under normal circumstances it's always there.

That's horrible! Did you appeal the overpayment decision?

Still fighting it. Been going on for months now.

Adjudication can take several weeks unfortunately. They're reviewing your claim to make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements. Try to be patient but definitely keep checking your account for updates.

I keep checking but there's never any new information. Just says 'adjudication in progress' with no timeline.

I was in adjudication for 5 weeks before they approved my claim. The waiting is the worst part but once it's approved you get all the back pay.

Really? I was hoping the phone lines weren't that bad anymore.

nope still terrible. the automated system hangs up on you if they're too busy

Thank you! That's exactly the kind of specific info I was looking for. Much clearer than the vague explanations on the Washington ESD website.

Is that formula the same for everyone or does it vary by industry?

Same formula for everyone. Your industry doesn't matter, just your wage history during the base period.

Thanks for breaking that down clearly. I should definitely have enough wages to qualify then.

Don't forget about the dependency allowance too! If you have kids or a spouse who doesn't work, you can get an extra $25 per week per dependent.

Were you 1099 or W2? I thought contractors couldn't get regular unemployment.

I was W2 through a staffing agency, so I qualified for regular UI benefits. If you're true 1099 contractor you're right - no regular unemployment benefits.

Ugh I didn't even think about taxes. So if I get $400 per week and choose the withholding, I'd actually receive $360?

Yeah exactly. It's optional but trust me, better to have it withheld than get hit with a big tax bill later.

Washington state doesn't have income tax though so at least you don't have to worry about state taxes on your UI benefits.

What's the base period? Is that the same as the highest quarter thing mentioned earlier?

Base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024.

Adjudication delays are really common right now. If you haven't already, try calling the customer service line early in the morning around 8 AM when they open. That's usually the best time to get through.

I've tried calling probably 50 times and either get a busy signal or get disconnected after waiting on hold forever.

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. They specialize in getting you connected to Washington ESD agents without all the busy signals and hold time frustration. Really helped with my adjudication issue.

Oh wow, I hadn't thought about taxes. What percentage do they typically withhold?

Federal is 10% and Washington doesn't have state income tax, so just the 10% federal withholding option.

I'll check with HR about that. Never thought to ask but it's worth looking into.

You should definitely call ESD to verify your benefit calculation. There could be deductions for things like child support or taxes.

I've tried calling SO many times but can never get through. It's ridiculous.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - they specialize in getting through to ESD agents when you can't. Might be worth checking out if you're having trouble reaching them.

Good point! I should probably look into what counts as valid job search activities before I file.

Yeah, they're pretty specific about what counts. Job applications, networking events, career fairs, etc. Keep good records in your eServices account.

You can choose to have federal and state taxes withheld from your weekly benefits, or you can receive the full amount and pay taxes when you file your return. I recommend having taxes withheld to avoid a big tax bill later.

good to know thanks

I was laid off due to company downsizing so I should be good there. How long does adjudication usually take?

Can be anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on how complex your case is. If your former employer contests the claim it takes longer.

For the first 13 weeks, you can limit your job search to positions that pay at least 80% of your previous wage. After that, you need to expand your search to include jobs that pay at least the minimum wage.

That's helpful. I was worried I'd have to take any minimum wage job right away.

Yes, unemployment benefits are considered income for most public assistance programs. You'll need to report them when applying for or recertifying for benefits like SNAP or housing assistance.

Thanks, I figured as much but wanted to confirm.

Wait really? Even if I'm not getting paid I should keep filing the weekly claims?

yes! you have to maintain your claim by filing every week or you could lose benefits for those weeks. they'll backpay you once the adjudication is resolved

Second person to mention this service - might be worth trying if I can't get through the normal way.

I'm always skeptical of these third-party services but if it actually works...

@17 I was too, but after wasting days trying to call myself, it was worth it to get actual answers about my benefits.

How long did it take to get your first payment after filing?

About 2 weeks for me, but I think it depends on how quickly they process your claim. Some people wait longer if there are issues.

Adjudication can definitely take time, especially if there are any issues with your separation from work. Have you tried calling to check the status?

Tried calling hundreds of times. Either busy signal or they hang up after an hour on hold. This is ridiculous.

I'm confused about this too. Can you explain the difference more?

Sure! If your weekly benefit is $500 and you can collect for 26 weeks, your maximum benefit amount would be $13,000 total. You don't get it all at once though.

What was the issue with your benefit amount?

Turns out I had some wages from a previous job that Washington ESD didn't have in their system, so my benefit calculation was too low. The agent was able to add those wages and recalculate.

Have you been able to check your claim status online? I'm worried about filing and then not knowing what's happening.

Yeah you can check through the SecureAccess Washington website. It shows if your claim is pending, approved, or in adjudication. Just don't expect super detailed updates.

Months?! I really need to get my finances in order then. I was hoping this would be quicker.

That's another reason I recommend Claimyr if you run into any issues. They can get you connected to an actual Washington ESD agent who can explain what's holding up your claim instead of just waiting and wondering.

Good point, thanks for the clarification!

That's actually really good to know. I hope I won't need it but good to understand how it works.

You should check your benefit details in eServices - it shows the exact calculation and your remaining balance.

Good point! What counts as a work search activity? Just applying for jobs?

applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, interviews, even some online career workshops count. theres a list on the worksourcewa site

Do you know how often they update the maximum benefit amount?

I think it's annually based on average wages in the state. Don't quote me on that though.

I didn't get severance, just my final paycheck. Should be clear on that front then.

Correct - we're back to the standard 26 weeks maximum. No more extended benefits programs like PEUC.

Right, those pandemic programs ended a while ago. Just regular state UI now.

True, might as well try. Is the online application pretty straightforward?

yeah its not too bad, just have your employment history ready and your social security card

Regular unemployment benefits in Washington are for up to 26 weeks. The 99-week programs were during the recession and pandemic but those have ended. There might be extended benefits during high unemployment periods but those are rare.

Got it, so 26 weeks is the standard now. Thanks for clarifying.

That gives me hope! Were you working full-time or part-time before you got laid off?

Mix of both depending on the season. Summer was mostly part-time but fall and early winter were full-time with good tip income. The base period calculation really helped since it captured my better earning quarters.

Good to know! I was wondering if I could do any freelance work while collecting benefits.

You can, just make sure to report all earnings when you file your weekly claim. Being honest saves you from overpayment issues later.

3 job contacts per week seems like a lot. What counts as a job contact?

applying for jobs, networking events, job fairs, even informational interviews count. you have to log them in WorkSourceWA

The job search requirements aren't that bad once you get into a routine. I usually apply to 2-3 jobs and attend one networking event or workshop each week.

That's a decent amount! How long did it take from filing to getting your first payment?

About 2 weeks for me, but I had a straightforward layoff with no issues. If there's any question about why you lost your job, it takes longer.

How much does something like that cost? Seems like it could get expensive.

I'd rather not get into pricing details, but for me it was worth every penny to finally talk to someone at Washington ESD who could help with my adjudication problem.

How much did that cost? I'm desperate to talk to someone about my claim.

I don't want to get into pricing but it was worth it for me to get answers instead of waiting weeks in limbo. Check out their site for current rates.

26 weeks should hopefully be enough time to find something new. I'm being optimistic but also trying to be realistic about the job market.

That's the right attitude. Use the time wisely for job searching and maybe consider upgrading skills if there are free training programs available.

Is that the service with the website claimyr.com? I saw their demo video and it looked legit but wasn't sure if it actually works.

Yeah that's the one. I was skeptical at first but desperate to talk to someone at Washington ESD. It definitely saved me a lot of time and frustration.

Your benefit year starts the Sunday of the week you file your initial claim, regardless of when you actually start receiving payments. It lasts for 52 weeks from that date.

Perfect, that's what I needed to know for planning purposes.

Definitely doing direct deposit. Thanks for the heads up!

Yeah that wide range isn't useful for planning. Guess I'll just have to file and see what happens.

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - getting an actual person to explain your specific calculation is so much better than guessing.

Yes, unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have 10% withheld for federal taxes when you file your weekly claims, or pay it all at tax time.

Thanks! I'll probably have them withhold it to avoid a big tax bill later.

Good advice. I'll make sure to save everything once I get my determination letter.

Yes definitely save everything! I had an overpayment issue and needed all my old records to prove I reported my wages correctly.

Is there an official calculator on the Washington ESD website?

Yes, it's in the 'Estimate Your Benefits' section. Just have your pay stubs ready with quarterly totals.

My layoff is permanent, so I think regular unemployment is what I need.

I'm still employed right now but my hours have been cut from about 30 per week to maybe 15. Would that qualify me for partial unemployment benefits?

Yes! If your hours or wages are reduced through no fault of your own, you might qualify for partial benefits. You'd still need to meet the job search requirements though.

Thanks for mentioning this! I'll make sure I have everything ready before I start the application.

Seasonal workers' benefits are calculated the same way using the base period quarters. However, if you're laid off from seasonal work, you might be eligible for standby status which has different requirements.

What's standby status? Is that better than regular unemployment?

Standby is for temporary layoffs where you expect to return to the same employer. You don't have to do job searches but you must be available to return to work immediately when called.

At $18/hour full-time, that's roughly $37,440 annually. His highest quarter would be around $9,360, which would give him about $360 per week. $445 seems high unless he had overtime or bonuses in his highest quarter.

He did work a lot of overtime during the busy season. That must be why it's higher than I calculated.

Yes, they do random audits and also investigate claims that are flagged for potential issues. Make sure you report all work and earnings accurately on your weekly claims to avoid problems.

Good to know. I'll be extra careful with my weekly claims.

Yes, definitely contact them to correct any errors. It's better to fix mistakes proactively than have them discovered later, which could result in overpayment issues or other complications.

I'll try calling them tomorrow. Hopefully I can get through without waiting too long.

If you can't get through by phone, try using Claimyr. I've seen several people mention it in this thread and it seems to help with the calling hassle.

Agreed! The official information is so confusing but everyone here explained it in plain English.

That's what these forums are for - helping each other navigate the system!

That gives me a good ballpark though. Sounds like I'd probably get somewhere in the $350-400 range based on my income.

Yeah that sounds about right. Just make sure you file as soon as you're eligible because you can't get benefits for weeks before you actually file your claim.

Good to know it's not just a few weeks. 26 weeks should give me time to find something decent.

Exactly. And you can work part-time while collecting benefits too, though they'll reduce your weekly amount based on what you earn.