How much do you get for unemployment in Washington state?

Washington ESD uses your highest quarter earnings from the last 18 months to calculate your weekly benefit amount. It's roughly 3.85% of your highest quarter wages. With your salary you'd probably get around $650-700 per week depending on your exact earnings pattern.

I filed last month and got approved for $588/week. The process took about 2 weeks from filing to getting my first payment. Make sure you have all your employment info ready when you apply online.

Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base period to calculate your weekly benefit amount. Generally it's about 3.85% of your highest quarter earnings. So if you made $7,000 in your best quarter, you'd get around $270 per week. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999 but most people get way less than that.

Washington ESD uses your highest quarter of earnings from your base period to calculate your weekly benefit amount. The maximum weekly benefit is currently $999 per week, but most people get between $200-$600 depending on their wages. You'll get about 3.85% of your highest quarter earnings divided by 13 weeks.

Washington unemployment benefits are calculated based on your highest earning quarter in your base period. The maximum weekly benefit amount is $999 per week as of 2025. Your actual amount depends on your earnings history - it's roughly 50% of your average weekly wage up to that maximum.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to check on your claim status or get questions answered, I had good luck using Claimyr.com. They have a service that helps you get through to actual ESD agents without waiting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

i think the max is like $999 now but honestly most people dont get that much unless they were making really good money before

You can get up to 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits in Washington. With your salary level you'll probably get a decent amount, definitely worth filing for.

Thanks! How do I figure out what my highest quarter was? Do I need to look at my paystubs or does Washington ESD already have that info?

Just be prepared for the process to take forever. I applied 3 weeks ago and still haven't gotten my first payment because they're reviewing my claim. The waiting is the worst part, especially when you're trying to budget.

The benefit amount depends on your base period wages. Washington ESD looks at the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. You need at least $1,685 in your base period to qualify. The formula is complex but generally ranges from $295 minimum to $999 maximum per week.

Washington ESD gets your wage info directly from employers so they'll calculate it automatically when you file. You can also check your eServices account to see your wage history.

I've been getting $734 per week since October. The process was pretty straightforward once I figured out how to navigate their system. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week.

The benefit amount also depends on whether you qualify for the minimum or if you have dependents. I think the minimum weekly benefit is around $295 right now, and you can get additional money for dependent children.

Don't forget you'll also need to pay taxes on unemployment benefits. I learned that the hard way when I got a huge tax bill the following year because I didn't have taxes withheld.

dont forget you have to do the job search requirements too or they'll cut off your benefits. i think its 3 job contacts per week now

Make sure you understand the work search requirements too. You have to be actively looking for work and keep a log of your job search activities. They can ask for proof at any time.

Just to add - you also need to meet the minimum earnings requirement. You need at least $3,400 in your base period AND at least $680 in your highest quarter to qualify. With your hours and pay rate you should be fine though.

the amount varies A LOT depending on what you made. my friend gets like $400 something and i get $650. it's based on your work history

Just to clarify - Washington ESD uses your base period earnings to calculate benefits. Your base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, they'd look at your earnings from October 2023 through September 2024.

Don't forget you'll have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits. They don't withhold federal taxes automatically unless you request it.

What happens if you don't meet those minimums? Do you get nothing at all?

Correct, you'd be monetarily ineligible for regular unemployment benefits. There might be other programs but regular UI would be denied.

Just remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay quarterly. I learned that the hard way at tax time last year!

I got laid off in November and my claim is still in adjudication. It's been 5 weeks now with no updates. This system is so frustrating!

the whole system is so confusing honestly. took me forever to figure out how to file my weekly claims correctly

One thing to keep in mind is that your base period matters a lot for determining both eligibility and benefit amount. Washington ESD looks at the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim.

i've been trying to call washington esd for 3 weeks to ask about my benefit amount and cant get through to anyone. the automated system is useless and just hangs up on me

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr.com - they help you get through to Washington ESD agents. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Really? That actually works? I'm so desperate at this point I'll try anything

Been on unemployment for 8 weeks now and getting $812 per week. The key is making sure you report everything accurately on your weekly claims. Miss a week and you lose that week's benefits - they don't backpay.

ugh the washington esd website is so confusing. I tried to estimate my benefits but their calculator doesn't work half the time

The waiting week was eliminated in Washington so you can get paid starting with your first week of unemployment. That's different from some other states.

Make sure you apply as soon as possible after losing your job. There's no benefit to waiting and you could miss out on payments for weeks you were eligible.

Yeah it worked for me. Got through to an agent within 20 minutes instead of calling for days. They could see my exact benefit calculation right there.

I was making about $45K and got around $340 per week when I was on unemployment. It's definitely not enough to maintain your previous lifestyle but it helps cover basic expenses.

Don't forget you have to actively look for work to keep getting benefits. The job search requirements are 3 work search activities per week. Keep detailed records because they do audit people.

Does anyone know if you can work part-time while collecting unemployment? I might be able to pick up some freelance work.

Update: I finally got through to Washington ESD using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Turns out my claim was stuck because they needed additional documentation from my previous employer. The agent was able to tell me exactly what was needed and how to submit it.

Just remember that the maximum duration for regular unemployment benefits is 26 weeks in Washington state. After that, you'd need to look into other programs if you're still unemployed.

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator tool that can give you an estimate based on your wages. It's pretty accurate from what I've seen.

Whatever you do, don't lie on your application or weekly claims. They cross-check everything and if they catch you in a lie it can result in penalties and having to pay back benefits.

Make sure you understand the waiting week requirement too. Your first week of unemployment is unpaid - it's like a deductible.

What counts as a work search activity? Just applying for jobs or other stuff too?

Just a heads up - if you were fired for misconduct or quit without good cause, you might not qualify at all. Make sure you have a legitimate reason for being unemployed.

Don't forget about the waiting week! You won't get paid for your first week of unemployment even if you're eligible. It's basically a one-week waiting period.

Job applications, attending job fairs, networking events, WorkSourceWA workshops. Check the Washington ESD website for the full list.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! I've been waiting 6 weeks for my claim to be approved and still getting $0. They say it's in adjudication but won't tell me why or how long it takes. Meanwhile my rent is due and I have no income.

If you're worried about getting through to Washington ESD for questions, that Claimyr thing really does work. I was skeptical at first but it saved me so much time and frustration trying to get answers about my claim.

Make sure all your personal information is correct when you apply. I had to deal with a huge mess because my social security number was entered wrong and it delayed everything by weeks.

One more thing - if you do any part-time work while collecting unemployment, make sure you report it correctly on your weekly claims. Even small amounts of income need to be reported.

I was making $60K and got about $465 per week. It's roughly 50% of your average weekly wage, but there are caps on both the minimum and maximum amounts.

Just wanted to add that if your claim gets denied for any reason, you have the right to appeal the decision. Don't give up if you think you're eligible but got denied initially.

The application process itself is pretty straightforward online, but gathering all the required information beforehand makes it much easier. Have your employment history, wages, and reason for separation ready.

Last thing - remember that collecting unemployment benefits may affect your eligibility for certain other programs, so make sure you understand all the implications before you apply.

Overall, the Washington unemployment system works pretty well once you get through the initial application process. The key is being patient and making sure you follow all the requirements for weekly claims and job searches.

Adjudication can take 4-8 weeks depending on the issue. Have you checked your eServices account for any documents you need to submit?

I've checked everything a million times. There's nothing showing that I need to do. The system just says 'adjudication in progress' with no explanation.

Same boat here. Been 5 weeks in adjudication with no updates. I tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned and finally got to talk to an agent who said there was a separation issue they were reviewing.

For what it's worth, I was making about $20/hour full time and my weekly benefit amount came out to $340. So it's definitely not going to replace your full income but it helps pay the bills while you job search.

That's actually more than I expected! $340 a week would cover most of my basic expenses.

Just remember you pay taxes on unemployment benefits too. You can have them withhold 10% or pay quarterly estimated taxes.

Quick question - is there a waiting week in Washington? Some states make you wait a week before you can collect.

No waiting week in Washington. You can collect benefits starting your first week of unemployment as long as you're eligible.

Good to know, thanks!

My cousin works at Washington ESD and she says they're super backed up right now. Lots of people are having issues with their claims getting stuck in the system. If you can avoid filing unless you really need to, it might save you some headaches.

That's terrible advice. If you're eligible for benefits you should file immediately. The longer you wait the more money you lose.

I'm just saying the system is overwhelmed right now. People are waiting months to get their first payment.

The benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website is pretty accurate. You can get a rough estimate before you file your claim.

I didn't know there was a calculator! I'll check that out before I file.

yeah its under the 'before you apply' section. gives you a ballpark figure based on your earnings

Don't forget about the additional $25 per week if you have dependents. Not much but every little bit helps when you're unemployed.

How do you prove you have dependents? Do they need to be claimed on your taxes?

You need to provide documentation like birth certificates or tax returns showing you support them financially.

I made about $45k last year and my weekly benefit is $416. The calculation is based on your quarterly earnings though, not your annual salary. My highest quarter was around $12,500.

That's a decent amount! How long can you collect for?

Up to 26 weeks in Washington, but it depends on your work history. Some people get less than 26 weeks if they haven't worked long enough.

Pro tip: file your claim on Sunday night or Monday morning. The system is less busy then and you're less likely to get error messages.

Good advice! I tried filing on a Tuesday afternoon and the website kept crashing.

The website is definitely slower during business hours when everyone's trying to access it.

Remember that if you work part-time while collecting unemployment, they'll reduce your benefits. It's not dollar for dollar though - you can earn up to about $100 without any reduction.

That's good to know. I might be able to pick up some part-time work while I look for something full-time.

Just make sure you report all your earnings on your weekly claim. Being honest about part-time work is super important.

I've been collecting for 3 months now and honestly the hardest part isn't the money amount, it's dealing with all the bureaucracy. Make sure you keep detailed records of everything - your job search activities, any correspondence with Washington ESD, all your documents.

This is so true. I got audited for my job search activities and had to provide detailed logs going back 2 months.

What kind of details do they want in the job search log?

Date, company name, position applied for, how you applied, any follow-up actions. Be thorough!

If you get denied initially, don't give up. You can appeal the decision. I got denied first time because of some technicality with my separation date, but won on appeal.

How long does the appeal process take?

Mine took about 6 weeks. You get a phone hearing with an administrative law judge. Just be honest and have your documentation ready.

Bottom line - if you're eligible, file as soon as possible. Even if the amount isn't huge, it's better than nothing while you're looking for work. The system has issues but most people do eventually get their benefits.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I think I'm going to file this weekend.

Good luck! Hope your claim goes through smoothly.

I've been on unemployment for 8 weeks now and the weekly claims process is pretty straightforward once you get used to it. Just make sure to file every week even if you haven't heard about your claim status.

The key thing is making sure you're able and available for work. If you're not actively looking for a job or available to work, you won't qualify for benefits.

Has anyone had success with the Claimyr service that was mentioned earlier? I'm desperate to talk to someone at ESD about my claim that's been pending for weeks.

Remember that your benefit year lasts 52 weeks from when you first file, but you can only collect up to 26 weeks of benefits during that year unless there are extensions available.

Don't forget to keep all your documentation organized - pay stubs, separation notice, job search records, etc. You might need them if your claim gets audited or if there are questions.

The Washington ESD online system is actually pretty user-friendly compared to other government websites. You can check your claim status, file weekly claims, and update your information all online.

One last tip - if you do end up needing to contact ESD by phone, Tuesday through Thursday mornings tend to have shorter wait times than Mondays or Fridays. But honestly, after trying that approach for weeks, using Claimyr was a game changer for actually getting through to someone.

The job search requirement is no joke btw. You need to keep detailed records of every application, networking event, job fair, etc. They can audit your job search log at any time.

Been collecting for 4 months now and honestly the weekly claims are pretty easy once you get used to it. Just answer the same questions every week about whether you worked, looked for work, etc.

One thing nobody mentions is that if you have a pension or retirement income, it might affect your unemployment benefits. They'll deduct a portion of your pension from your weekly benefit amount.

If your claim gets stuck in adjudication like mine did, be prepared to wait. Took 6 weeks to get my first payment because they had to verify my employment history.

Don't forget that unemployment benefits count as income for things like food stamps and other assistance programs. Make sure you report them properly.

The maximum benefit amount changes every year based on the state's average wages. It was $929 last year and went up to $999 this year, so that's a decent increase.

Just wanted to add that if you're in a union, check with them about additional unemployment benefits. Some unions have supplemental unemployment benefit funds.

Whatever you do, don't lie on your application or weekly claims. Washington ESD takes fraud seriously and they cross-reference everything with employers and other state agencies.

One last tip - set up direct deposit for your benefits. Paper checks take forever and can get lost in the mail. Direct deposit is much more reliable.

I was in a similar situation last year - making about $52K and got around $630 per week in benefits. The Washington ESD calculation is pretty straightforward once you understand it. They look at your highest earning quarter from your base period and multiply by 3.85%, then divide by 13 weeks. With your $55K salary, you should qualify for a decent weekly amount. Just make sure to file as soon as possible since there's no benefit to waiting. The online application isn't too bad, and you can check the benefit calculator on their website to get a rough estimate before you apply. Good luck!