How much do you get from unemployment benefits in Washington state?

Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from the last 18 months to calculate your weekly benefit amount. Generally it's about 60% of your average weekly wage, but there's a minimum of $295/week and maximum of $999/week in 2025. You can use the benefit calculator on their website to get an estimate.

Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from the past 5 quarters to calculate your weekly benefit amount. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999, but most people get somewhere between $300-700 per week depending on their income history.

i think i got like $450 a week when i was on unemployment last year but i was making more than you. the amount depends on how much you made in your best quarter

i think its around 60% of your regular pay but capped at the max amount. been on unemployment twice and both times got different amounts based on what i was making

You can actually estimate your benefit amount before filing by using the benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website. Just need your earnings from the past 5 quarters. With your salary of $52k, you're probably looking at around $450-550 per week.

One thing to keep in mind is that you'll need to actively look for work and document your job search activities. Washington ESD requires 3 job contacts per week and you have to keep a log. The payment amount is just one part of the equation - you also need to stay compliant with all the requirements to keep receiving benefits.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your benefit amount, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They helped me get connected to an actual agent when I couldn't get through the regular phone lines. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.

The weekly benefit amount also depends on whether you have any dependents. You can get additional money for dependent children, I think it's like $25 per child but don't quote me on that exact amount.

Had trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about my benefit calculation when I filed last year. Spent hours calling and either got busy signals or hung up on. Finally found Claimyr.com which helped me get connected to an actual agent who explained everything. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Just remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay quarterly estimated taxes. I learned this the hard way during tax season.

The system is so confusing though. I filed 3 weeks ago and still haven't gotten my first payment. My claim says 'adjudication in progress' but no one can explain what that means or how long it takes.

The Washington ESD system is SO CONFUSING with all these calculations! Why can't they just tell you upfront what you'll get instead of making us do math with quarters and base periods??

also make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still pending. if you miss filing a week you might lose that weeks benefits permanently

don't forget you can get benefits for up to 26 weeks in washington, sometimes longer if there's extensions. so even if the weekly amount seems low, it adds up over time

I've been on unemployment twice and both times the amount was different even though I was making similar wages. The calculation seems to depend on which quarters they use and when you file. It's not always straightforward.

Remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income too. Washington ESD can withhold federal taxes if you request it, but you'll still owe at tax time if you don't plan for it.

The benefit amount also depends on if you worked in multiple states. Washington ESD has interstate agreements, but it can get complicated if you have wages from other states in your base period.

just filed last month and my benefit amount was way less than i expected!! turns out i had a low quarter that brought down my average. really wish someone had explained this better

One thing to keep in mind - if you're getting severance pay or vacation payout, that might affect when your unemployment benefits start. Washington ESD has specific rules about how they handle those payments.

Don't forget that if you do any part-time work while collecting unemployment, you need to report it. They have specific rules about how much you can earn before it affects your weekly benefit amount.

The waiting week was eliminated during COVID so you should get paid for your first week now. That was a nice change they made permanent.

One more thing about Claimyr - if you do end up needing to talk to Washington ESD about your benefit calculation or any issues with your claim, it's worth checking out. I probably saved 6+ hours of calling over the course of my claim period. The service really comes in handy when you have specific questions that only an agent can answer.

I was making $22/hour and got about $580 per week. But remember you only get benefits for 26 weeks maximum in Washington unless there are extensions during recessions.

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at Washington ESD using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Turns out my adjudication was because my previous employer disputed my separation reason. The agent explained everything and said it should resolve within another week or two. Would have never gotten this info just calling the regular number.

just a heads up that if you quit your job you might not be eligible for unemployment unless you had 'good cause' like unsafe working conditions or harassment. they're pretty strict about that

The whole system is such a mess. I've been trying to get my account unlocked for 2 weeks now and can't get through to anyone. The website crashes half the time and the phone lines are always busy. How are people supposed to survive like this?

For anyone still reading this thread, here's a quick summary: Washington unemployment benefits range from $295-999 per week in 2025, calculated based on your highest earning quarter. You need to file weekly claims, do job searches, and report any earnings. The benefit calculator on Washington ESD's website will give you an estimate based on your specific wage history.

Does anyone know if the job search requirement is waived if you're on standby status? I heard conflicting information about this.

Be careful about the WorkSourceWA registration requirement too. You need to register within a certain timeframe or your benefits can be delayed.

I wish they would just modernize the whole system. Other states have much better online portals and customer service. Washington feels like it's stuck in the 1990s sometimes.

been working part time while on unemployment and you can still get partial benefits if your earnings are below your weekly benefit amount. washington esd has a formula for how much they reduce your benefits

Another benefit of using Claimyr was getting help understanding the partial benefit calculations. The Washington ESD agent explained exactly how working part-time would affect my weekly amount, which helped me make better decisions about job opportunities.

The whole system seems designed to confuse people! I applied and got approved but still don't fully understand how they came up with my number. At least I'm getting something though.

Does anyone know if the benefit amounts change during the year? I heard they might adjust the maximum weekly amount annually.

important to remember that you have to actively look for work and report your job search activities to keep getting benefits. the amount doesn't matter if you don't meet the requirements

If you're thinking about filing, don't wait too long. There's usually a waiting week where you won't get paid, and benefits are only backdated so far. Better to file as soon as you're eligible.

my sister got unemployment last year and said the hardest part wasn't figuring out the amount, it was actually getting through to talk to someone when she had questions about her claim

One last tip - make sure all your employer information is accurate when you file. If Washington ESD can't verify your wages, it can delay your claim and affect your benefit calculation.

hope this thread helps other people too! there's so much confusing info out there about unemployment benefits

been following this thread and learned a lot. didn't realize there was a benefit calculator on the washington esd website. going to check that out before i file