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

Washington ESD uses your earnings from the base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters) to calculate your weekly benefit. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999 per week. They take your highest earning quarter and divide by 26, but there's also a minimum you need to earn to qualify.

I'm getting $743 per week right now. Been on unemployment for 3 months and it's been a lifesaver while I look for work. The amount depends on what you made in your base period quarters.

The calculation can be confusing. I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks to get clarification on my benefit amount because it seems lower than expected. Their phone lines are always busy and I keep getting disconnected.

just look at your monetary determination letter they send you when you file. tells you exactly how much youll get each week

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator you can use to estimate your weekly amount. It's not 100% accurate but gives you a ballpark figure. You need to know your quarterly earnings from the base period.

My weekly benefit is $612 and I was making about $45K annually. The amount seems fair based on what I was earning. Just make sure you report any work you do each week on your weekly claim or they'll hit you with an overpayment later.

The system is so messed up. I qualified for the maximum benefit but then they put my claim in adjudication for 6 weeks over some stupid technicality. Finally got it resolved but lost so much money waiting.

For reference, here are the current Washington ESD weekly benefit ranges for 2025: Minimum is $295 per week, maximum is $999 per week. Your actual amount depends on your base period earnings and follows their benefit formula.

Don't forget you can also get the additional $300 federal supplement... oh wait that ended years ago. Never mind, just the regular state benefits now.

I'm currently getting $834 per week. Was making around $65K before I got laid off. The benefit amount is definitely based on your previous earnings, but there's also a cap on how much you can receive.

Whatever you do, don't try to game the system or lie about your earnings. Washington ESD will catch it eventually and make you pay everything back with penalties. I've seen it happen to friends.

The benefit amount calculation makes sense once you understand it, but Washington ESD's communication about it is terrible. I had to piece together information from multiple sources to figure out what I qualified for.

I think the weekly benefit amount also depends on whether you're on regular UI or if you qualify for any special programs. There might be different calculations for different situations.

Just filed my claim last week and still waiting to hear about my benefit amount. The waiting is killing me because I need to know how much I'll be getting to budget properly.

The benefit amount is decent but don't expect it to fully replace your salary. It's meant to be temporary assistance while you look for work. Make sure you're actively job searching because they do check.

Been collecting for 4 months now and the process gets easier once you understand it. The weekly benefit amount stays the same unless your circumstances change significantly.

My advice is to file as soon as you become unemployed, even if you're not sure about the benefit amount. The process takes time and you don't want to lose any weeks of eligibility.

The monetary determination they send shows exactly how they calculated your benefit amount. Keep that document safe because you might need it later if any issues come up with your claim.