How much do you get for unemployment benefits in Washington - need to know what to expect

Washington unemployment benefits are calculated based on your highest earning quarter in your base period. They take that amount and divide by 26 to get your weekly benefit. The maximum weekly benefit amount for 2025 is $999 per week, minimum is around $295. At $18/hour full time you'd probably qualify for somewhere in the $400-600 range depending on how long you worked at that wage.

Just went through this process last month. The calculation can be confusing but basically they look at the four quarters before you filed (called your base period) and use your highest earning quarter. For me it took about 2 weeks to get my first payment after filing.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone to check your benefit amount or claim status, I found this service called Claimyr that actually gets you connected to an agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.

One thing to remember is that the benefit amount isn't immediate cash in hand. You still have to file weekly claims and meet the job search requirements. They require 3 job search activities per week now and you have to log them in the system.

I hate how complicated they make this whole process!! Like why can't they just tell you upfront what you'll get instead of making you wait weeks to find out if you even qualify

Also worth mentioning that your benefit amount can vary based on any partial work you do while collecting. If you work part-time and earn less than your weekly benefit amount, you can still collect partial benefits. They have a formula for that too but it gets complicated.

Been on unemployment twice in the past 5 years and can confirm the benefit amounts are decent in Washington compared to other states. The key is making sure you have enough work history in your base period to qualify for a higher benefit amount.

Does anyone know if unemployment benefits count as taxable income? Trying to figure out if I need to set aside money for taxes.

The benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website gives you a rough estimate if you want to get an idea before filing. It's not 100% accurate but gets you in the ballpark.

Remember you can collect benefits for up to 26 weeks in Washington, assuming you don't find work before then. The clock starts ticking from when you first file, not when you get approved.

Quick tip - when you do file, make sure all your employer information is accurate. Any mistakes can delay your claim and you definitely don't want to be waiting longer than necessary for benefits to start.

The whole adjudication process can also affect when you get your money even if the benefit amount is calculated quickly. If there are any questions about why you left your job they'll put your claim on hold while they investigate.

If you do run into any delays or need to speak with someone about your benefit calculation, definitely consider that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. Getting through to Washington ESD on your own can be a full-time job in itself!

just make sure you file asap after losing your job because there's a waiting week where you don't get paid even if you qualify. every week counts when you need the money

The benefit amount also depends on how many dependents you have. If you have kids you might qualify for additional dependency allowances on top of your base benefit.

One more thing - if your benefit amount seems too low when you get your determination letter, you can appeal it. Sometimes they don't capture all your wages correctly and you might be entitled to more.

Been reading through this thread and it's super helpful! I'm in a similar situation and was worried about how much I'd get. Sounds like Washington is pretty fair with their benefit amounts compared to what I hear about other states.

Last tip from me - if you need to talk to Washington ESD about your benefit calculation or any other issues with your claim, seriously consider using Claimyr. I know I mentioned it before but it really does save so much time and frustration. The peace of mind of actually getting through to someone is worth it.