How much do you get unemployment benefits in Washington ESD weekly payments?

Washington ESD uses your highest quarter earnings from your base period to calculate benefits. The weekly benefit amount is roughly 3.85% of your highest quarter wages, but there's a minimum of $295 and maximum of $999 per week as of 2025. With your salary of $52k, you'd probably get somewhere around $500-600 weekly depending on how your earnings were distributed across quarters.

Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base period to calculate benefits. Generally you get about 60-70% of your average weekly wages up to the maximum. For 2025 the max weekly benefit is $999 but most people don't get that much.

That's actually more than I expected! How do I find out what my exact base period quarters were?

just filed mine last week and got approved for $543/week. made about $48k at my last job so your estimate seems reasonable

Your base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file now in 2025, it would be Q1 2024 through Q4 2024. Washington ESD will show this when you file your claim.

Just filed last month and getting $641 weekly. Made about $58k last year. The calculation seemed pretty fair to me, covers most of my expenses. You can also use the benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website to get an estimate before filing.

Where exactly is that calculator? I've been looking all over the Washington ESD site and can't find it.

It's under 'Unemployment Benefits' then 'Benefit Calculator' but honestly it's kind of buried. Sometimes easier to just call and ask.

The Washington ESD benefit calculator is actually pretty accurate if you can figure out your base period quarters. Your base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you're filing now in 2025, it would be Q1 2024 through Q4 2024.

Good luck getting through to Washington ESD on the phone though! I've been trying for weeks to get someone to explain my benefit calculation. The automated system just hangs up on me after 30 minutes of waiting. So frustrating when you just need basic info.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check your benefit amount or get questions answered, I'd suggest trying Claimyr. It's a service that helps you actually reach an ESD agent on the phone. I was stuck calling for days trying to get my weekly benefit amount verified and Claimyr got me through in under an hour. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works.

The benefit amount also depends on if you have any dependents. Washington ESD gives you an extra $25 per week for each dependent child under 18.

ugh the whole system is so confusing. I made $45k last year but only worked 8 months because I got laid off in August. Not sure if I even qualify since I wasn't working the full year

Don't forget you have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits! Washington doesn't tax them but the feds do. I learned that the hard way last tax season.

The maximum benefit in Washington used to be way lower. I think it was like $790 just a few years ago. At least they've increased it some.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. They have this video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Basically they handle the calling and waiting for you.

Anyone know if overtime pay counts toward your base period earnings? I worked a ton of OT last year and wondering if that helps my benefit calculation.

Interesting, never heard of that. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

I tried calling Washington ESD yesterday to ask about my benefit amount and couldn't get through. The automated system just kept saying call volume was too high and hung up on me after 45 minutes on hold.

It's legit - I used it when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Much easier than spending hours on hold myself.

Does anyone know if they count tips in your base period? I was a server for part of 2024 and claimed all my tips but not sure if that affects the calculation.

remember the benefit amount also depends on if you have any dependents. if you have kids under 18 you get extra money added to your weekly benefit amount

That's not correct for Washington state. Washington ESD doesn't provide dependency allowances for children. You might be thinking of other states.

oh really? my bad thought it was nationwide

So if I understand correctly, it's based on my highest earning quarter from the base period, not my total annual salary? That seems weird because what if I had a really good quarter due to overtime or bonuses?

Exactly right! It uses your single highest quarter, so overtime and bonuses can actually increase your weekly benefit amount. That's why some people get more than expected.

Yeah this happened to me. I had a quarter with tons of overtime and my benefit was way higher than if they used my regular salary. The system actually worked in my favor for once!

Don't forget you also have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits! Washington doesn't tax them but federal government does. Make sure to factor that in when budgeting.

Ugh I didn't even think about taxes. Can you have them withhold federal taxes automatically?

Yes, you can elect to have 10% withheld for federal taxes when you file your weekly claims. Probably a good idea unless you want a big tax bill next year.

The whole system is so confusing. I've been on unemployment for 6 weeks and I still don't fully understand how they calculated my benefit amount. Got $487 weekly but no idea if that's correct based on my work history.

You can request a detailed breakdown of your benefit calculation from Washington ESD. Though again, good luck getting through on the phone. That's where services like Claimyr come in handy - they can help you reach an agent who can explain it properly.

I'll look into that Claimyr thing. Getting real tired of the runaround from Washington ESD.

Also keep in mind that your benefit duration depends on how much you earned during your base period. Maximum is 26 weeks in Washington but you might get less if you didn't work enough or earn enough.

How do they determine the duration? Is there a minimum amount you need to have earned?

You need at least $3,85 in your base period with earnings in at least two quarters. The exact duration formula is complex but basically more earnings = more weeks of benefits up to the 26 week max.

WASHINGTON ESD SUCKS! They make everything so complicated when it should be simple. Why can't they just tell you upfront what you'll get instead of making you jump through hoops???

I feel your frustration but the calculation is actually pretty standardized. It's just not explained well on their website.

standardized doesn't mean it makes sense to regular people trying to figure out their benefits

For what it's worth, I think Washington's benefits are pretty decent compared to other states. The $999 maximum is higher than a lot of places. Just wish the whole process was more transparent.

True, some states cap benefits way lower. Still doesn't excuse the terrible customer service though.

Pro tip: when you file your initial claim, Washington ESD will send you a monetary determination letter that breaks down exactly how they calculated your benefit amount and duration. Keep that letter safe!

Good to know! About how long after filing do they send that letter?

Usually within a week of filing, sometimes sooner if you filed online and everything processes smoothly.

I'm in a similar situation as OP. Made about $49k last year but had some unpaid leave that might affect my base period earnings. Anyone know if unpaid leave impacts the benefit calculation?

Unpaid leave itself doesn't directly impact the calculation since it's based on actual wages earned. But if the unpaid leave reduced your overall quarterly earnings, that could lower your benefit amount.

Makes sense. Guess I'll find out when I file. Thanks for the info!

been getting unemployment for 3 months now and honestly the weekly amount has been a lifesaver. covers rent and groceries while i job hunt. definitely apply if you're eligible, don't let the confusing process scare you off

That's reassuring to hear. I've been putting off filing because the whole process seems overwhelming.

it's really not that bad once you get started. the hardest part is just getting through to talk to someone if you have questions

One thing to remember is that the benefit amount stays the same throughout your claim period. So if you calculated $600 weekly, that's what you'll get every week (assuming you're eligible and file your weekly claims on time).

Unless you start doing part-time work, then they deduct earnings from your weekly benefit amount.

Right, good point. Washington has a partial benefits formula if you work part-time while collecting unemployment.

I used one of those online unemployment calculators before filing and it was pretty accurate. Estimated $573 weekly and I actually got $581, so close enough for planning purposes.

Which calculator did you use? Want to try it myself.

I think it was on some benefits website, not the official Washington ESD one. Just googled 'Washington unemployment calculator' and used the first decent looking one.

The benefit amounts seem fair but having to job search and report it every week is such a pain. At least the WorkSource requirements aren't as strict as some other states.

Whatever you do, make sure you file your weekly claims on time! I missed one week and it was a huge hassle to get it backdated. Washington ESD is pretty strict about the deadlines.

One thing that surprised me is you can work part-time and still collect partial unemployment benefits. As long as you earn less than 1.5 times your weekly benefit amount, you can still get something.

I used Claimyr a few weeks ago when I was having issues with my claim being stuck in adjudication. Got through to an actual person at Washington ESD who explained my benefit calculation and why there was a delay. Worth every penny honestly.

For what it's worth, Washington ESD benefits are actually pretty generous compared to other states. My brother lives in Florida and their max benefit is only like $275/week. We're lucky here.

Just remember you only get benefits for 26 weeks normally, so don't treat it like a permanent solution. Use the time to actively job search and maybe upgrade your skills.

The whole process seems overwhelming but this thread has been super helpful. Going to file my claim tomorrow and see what my weekly benefit amount ends up being.