How much do you get for unemployment in Washington ESD - weekly benefit amounts?

That's actually better than I thought! Do you know if overtime hours count toward the calculation?

Yes, all wages including overtime count. Washington ESD looks at your total gross wages from each quarter to determine your base period and highest quarter.

How long did adjudication take? I'm worried about delays if I file.

About 5 weeks for me. I couldn't get through to anyone at Washington ESD to check on status. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Got my issue resolved within 2 days after that.

What if you worked multiple jobs? Do they combine all the wages?

Yes, Washington ESD combines wages from all employers during your base period. Just make sure all your employers reported your wages correctly to avoid delays.

Good to know! I had a part-time job for a few months last year in addition to my main job.

Have you tried calling early morning? I had luck getting through around 7:30 AM when they first open.

tried everything... early morning, lunch time, staying on hold for hours. system just hangs up on you

That's exactly what happened to me before I found Claimyr. They handle the calling for you so you don't have to waste hours on hold. Seriously saved my sanity.

The rates get adjusted annually but the formula stays the same. Could be her base period didn't include her highest earning quarters if she had recent job changes.

That might be it. She switched jobs twice in 2024.

Ugh, didn't think about taxes. So the weekly amount is before federal taxes?

Exactly. The $500-600 estimate I gave you would be gross. I'd recommend having them withhold the 10% federal tax to avoid a big bill next year.

I've been at my current job for over a year and worked full time, so I should be good on that front.

With a year and a half of full-time work at $22/hour, you'll definitely meet the monetary requirements. Your concern should be more about potential non-monetary issues like job separation reasons.

Is that on the main esd.wa.gov site? I'll check that out.

Yeah, it's under the unemployment benefits section. Pretty straightforward to use.

Yeah I'm not planning to quit. Just want to be prepared in case of layoffs since my company has been struggling.

good thinking to plan ahead. the application process can take a while so knowing what to expect helps

That's a decent amount! Did you have any issues with the job search requirements?

The job search stuff is manageable. You need 3 job contacts per week and have to register with WorkSource. Just keep good records of your applications.

The job search log in your eServices account makes it easy to track. I just update it every time I apply somewhere.

How do you check what they have on file?

When you file your initial claim, they'll show you the wage information they have. You can dispute it if something's wrong but it adds time to the process.

If it's taking too long, definitely consider using Claimyr to get through to someone. I was stuck waiting for weeks until I used their service to actually talk to an adjudicator.

I'll look into that if I don't hear something soon. Getting frustrated with the waiting.

You'd need to earn about $26,000 in your highest quarter to get the maximum weekly benefit. That's roughly $50/hour full-time work.

Yeah that's way more than I make. But even half that amount would help cover my bills.

So even if I file right away, I won't get paid for the first week?

Exactly. You still have to file the weekly claim for that week, but it won't be paid. Every week after that should be paid if you're eligible.

When do you have to file the weekly claims?

Every Sunday for the previous week. You can file online through eServices or by phone. Don't miss the deadline or you'll have to appeal to get those weeks back.

Actually you have until the following Saturday to file your weekly claim, but filing on Sunday is the best practice to avoid any issues.

I don't have kids but good to know for the future.

It applies to spouse or other dependents too, not just children. Just needs to be someone you financially support.

Hopefully I won't need it for that long! But good to know there's a limit.

26 weeks goes by faster than you think when you're job hunting. Try to find work as soon as possible even if the unemployment helps with bills.

Yeah I figured it wouldn't be the same as working. Just want enough to cover rent and basics while I look for another job.

For most people, unemployment replaces about 50-60% of their previous income. It's designed to provide a safety net while you search for new employment.

Thanks everyone! This thread has been really helpful. I feel much more prepared now if I need to file.

And remember, if you run into issues getting through to Washington ESD, services like Claimyr can really save you time and frustration. Worth knowing about before you need it.