How much do you get unemployment benefits from Washington ESD?
I'm trying to figure out how much I'll get if I file for unemployment in Washington. I was making $52,000 a year at my last job before I got laid off last month. Does anyone know how Washington ESD calculates the weekly benefit amount? I heard it's based on your highest earning quarter but I'm not sure how that works exactly.
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TommyKapitz
Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base year to calculate your weekly benefit amount. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999. You get roughly 3.85% of your highest quarter earnings as your weekly amount, but there's a cap.
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Louisa Ramirez
•So if I made $13,000 in my highest quarter that would be around $500 a week? That sounds about right for my salary range.
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TommyKapitz
•Yes, that math looks correct. You can also use the benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website to get an exact estimate before you file.
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Angel Campbell
just filed mine last week and its taking forever to get approved, been trying to call Washington ESD for days but cant get through to anyone
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Payton Black
•I had the same problem! Spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.
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Harold Oh
•The phone lines are definitely overwhelmed right now. Try calling right at 8 AM when they open, that's usually your best bet for getting through.
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Amun-Ra Azra
The benefit amount also depends on how long you worked. You need to have earned at least $7,000 in your base year to qualify, and you need sufficient work history in multiple quarters.
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Louisa Ramirez
•I've been working steady for 3 years so I should be good on the work history requirement.
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Summer Green
•Don't forget you also have to be actively looking for work and keep a job search log. Washington ESD requires 3 job contacts per week minimum.
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Gael Robinson
ugh the whole system is so confusing, why cant they just tell you upfront how much youll get instead of making you do all this math
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TommyKapitz
•I agree it's confusing, but once you understand the formula it makes sense. They use your work history to ensure people who worked more and earned more get higher benefits.
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Edward McBride
•At least Washington has better benefits than most states. Some places cap out way lower than $999 a week.
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Darcy Moore
I got $587 per week when I was on unemployment last year. Made about $48K at my job, so sounds like you'll get something similar to what I got.
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Louisa Ramirez
•That's helpful to know, gives me a realistic expectation. How long did it take for your first payment to come through?
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Darcy Moore
•Took about 2 weeks after I filed, but that was before all the current delays people are talking about.
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Dana Doyle
Make sure you file as soon as possible because there's a waiting week before benefits start. The sooner you get your claim in, the sooner you'll start receiving payments.
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Louisa Ramirez
•I was planning to file this weekend, is that soon enough or should I do it today?
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Dana Doyle
•File today if you can. Every day you wait is potentially money lost, especially with the current processing delays.
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Liam Duke
One thing to remember is that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them when you file your return next year.
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Louisa Ramirez
•Oh I didn't think about taxes, thanks for mentioning that. Probably better to have them withheld so I don't get hit with a big bill later.
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Manny Lark
•Definitely have them withheld if you can afford the slightly lower payment. Learned that lesson the hard way.
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Rita Jacobs
For anyone still having trouble reaching Washington ESD, I found out about Claimyr from a friend and it actually worked. Got connected to an agent in like 10 minutes instead of calling for hours. Worth checking out if you're stuck.
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Khalid Howes
•How much does that cost though? I'm already tight on money while waiting for my claim to process.
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Rita Jacobs
•It's not free but honestly worth it when you consider how much time you save. Plus if it helps you resolve issues faster, you get your benefits sooner.
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Ben Cooper
Your benefit amount stays the same for your entire claim year unless you have a new claim or your circumstances change significantly. So once you know your weekly amount, that's what you'll get each week you're eligible.
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Louisa Ramirez
•That's good to know for planning purposes. At least I can budget knowing the amount will be consistent.
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Naila Gordon
•Just remember you still have to file your weekly claims on time every week or you'll miss out on payments for those weeks.
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Cynthia Love
The maximum benefit duration is 26 weeks in Washington, but that's only if you qualify for the full amount based on your work history. Some people get fewer weeks depending on how much they worked.
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Louisa Ramirez
•Since I worked full-time for 3 years I should qualify for the full 26 weeks if I need it, right?
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Cynthia Love
•Most likely yes, but the exact number of weeks depends on your total base year earnings compared to your weekly benefit amount.
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