How much do you get paid unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount using your highest earning quarter from your base period. They take that quarter's wages, divide by 26, and that's your weekly benefit. The maximum weekly benefit amount for 2025 is $999. So if you made decent money in your highest quarter, you could get close to that max.

Thanks! So they look at my best 3-month period? That would probably be summer when I worked more hours during tourist season.

Exactly! They use your base period which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So your summer earnings would definitely help boost your weekly amount.

just filed last week and still waiting to hear back from washington esd about my weekly amount. the whole process is confusing as hell, spent 2 hours on their website trying to understand the benefit calculator

I had the same issue trying to get through to Washington ESD to check on my benefit amount. Kept getting busy signals for days. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent who explained my calculation. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Never heard of that but might be worth trying since I can't get through their regular phone lines

The weekly benefit calculation is pretty straightforward once you understand it. Washington ESD looks at your wages from your base year (not base period like the previous poster said - that's different). They calculate 3.85% of your total base year wages, then divide by 52 weeks. However, there are minimum and maximum amounts. For 2025, minimum is $295 per week and maximum is $999 per week.

Actually, I think you're mixing up the calculation methods. Washington ESD definitely uses the highest quarter method I mentioned, not the annual wage method. The base period is the relevant timeframe, not base year.

You're right, I was thinking of a different state. Washington does use the highest quarter divided by 26 method. My mistake on that calculation.

So confusing that different states have different formulas! Glad you guys clarified the Washington ESD method.

I HATE HOW COMPLICATED THEY MAKE THIS!!! Why can't Washington ESD just tell you upfront what you'll get instead of making everyone guess and do math? Been trying to call them for a week straight and can never get through.

I feel your frustration! The Washington ESD phone system is absolutely terrible. What helped me was calling right at 8am when they open, but even then it took multiple attempts.

Tried that too and still just get the busy signal. This whole system is broken.

For restaurant workers like yourself, the seasonal nature of your work might actually help your calculation if you had some really good quarters. I worked in hospitality and my summer quarter from 2024 was way higher than my winter quarters, so my weekly benefit ended up being $847.

That's encouraging! I definitely made more during busy season. Did Washington ESD automatically use your highest quarter or did you have to request that?

They automatically use your highest quarter from your base period. You don't need to do anything special - their system calculates it when you file your initial claim.

Just want to mention again that Claimyr service I used - it really saved me a lot of headache trying to reach Washington ESD. The agent I spoke with walked me through exactly how my benefit amount was calculated and confirmed it matched what I was expecting. Worth checking out if you're having trouble getting answers.

How much does that service cost? Seems like something Washington ESD should provide for free.

I agree it should be free, but given how impossible it is to reach them otherwise, it was worth it for me to get actual answers instead of just guessing.

been on ui for 6 weeks now, getting $734 weekly. made about $45k last year so that seems about right based on what everyone's saying about the calculation

That helps give me an idea! I probably made around $35k so maybe I'll get in the $600 range?

Sounds about right, but remember it depends on how your earnings were distributed across quarters, not just your annual total.

The thing that surprised me was finding out about the waiting week. Washington ESD doesn't pay for your first week of unemployment - that caught me off guard when I filed my claim. Make sure you factor that into your planning.

Wait, they don't pay for the first week at all? Even if you qualify for benefits?

Exactly. It's called a waiting week and it's unpaid. So your first payment comes after you've filed two weekly claims, and it only covers the second week.

That's so messed up. When you're already financially stressed from losing your job, taking away that first week's pay is just cruel.

Pro tip: Washington ESD has a benefit calculator tool on their website, but it's kind of buried in the menus. Search for 'benefit estimator' and it should come up. It's not perfect but gives you a rough idea before you file.

I tried finding that but couldn't locate it. Do you have a direct link?

I don't have the exact URL but if you go to esd.wa.gov and search 'benefit calculator' it should show up in the results.

Remember that your unemployment benefits are taxable income! Washington ESD will send you a 1099-G at the end of the year. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay them when you file your return.

Good point! I totally forgot unemployment counts as income for taxes. How much do they typically withhold?

They withhold 10% for federal taxes if you elect to have it taken out. No state income tax withholding since Washington doesn't have state income tax.

also keep in mind you have to do the job search requirements to keep getting paid. washington esd requires 3 job contacts per week and you have to log them in worksource

How strict are they about the job search requirement? Do they actually check?

They do audit job search activities randomly. Make sure you're keeping detailed records of your job contacts including dates, company names, and contact methods. They can request this information at any time.

One more thing - if you worked multiple jobs, Washington ESD will consider wages from all of them when calculating your benefit amount. So if you had a side gig or second job, make sure all that income gets reported correctly on your claim.

I did some catering work on weekends besides my main restaurant job. Should I list both employers when I file?

Yes, definitely report all employers from your base period. Washington ESD will verify your wages with all of them, and it could increase your weekly benefit amount.

Just wanted to share my experience - I was worried my benefit amount would be really low because I had some months with reduced hours, but Washington ESD only looks at your best quarter so those slow periods didn't hurt my calculation. Ended up getting $891 weekly which was way more than I expected.

That's really encouraging! I had some slow months too so I was worried about that.

This is exactly the kind of detailed info I got when I used Claimyr to talk to a Washington ESD agent. They explained how the calculation works with real examples like this.

make sure when you file your weekly claims you report any earnings accurately. even small amounts can affect your benefit payment for that week. washington esd has earnings deduction rules

What if I pick up a shift or two while on unemployment? How does that work?

You can work part-time while on unemployment, but Washington ESD will reduce your weekly benefit based on how much you earn. Generally, they deduct 75 cents from your benefit for every dollar you earn over $5.

The whole process took about 2 weeks from when I filed until I got my first payment. Washington ESD has to verify your wages with your employers which takes time. Don't panic if you don't hear back immediately after filing.

Good to know! I was wondering how long the whole process takes.

2 weeks if you're lucky! Mine took almost a month because there was some issue with wage verification that I had to call about multiple times.

Bottom line for your situation - working 35-40 hours at $19/hour, if you had a strong quarter you're probably looking at somewhere between $600-800 weekly benefit. The exact amount depends on your specific wage history, but that should give you a ballpark estimate.

That range sounds reasonable based on what everyone's shared. Thanks for all the helpful info everyone! Definitely makes me feel more confident about filing my claim.

Just remember to file as soon as you become unemployed - you can't get benefits for weeks before you actually file your claim, even if you were eligible.