How much do you get unemployment benefits in Washington - weekly payment amounts?

Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from the past 5 quarters to calculate your weekly benefit amount. They take that quarter's earnings, divide by 13, then multiply by about 0.6 to get your weekly benefit. For example if you made $8,000 in your highest quarter, that would be roughly $369 per week in benefits.

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington is $1,015 as of 2025, but most people get way less than that. Your weekly benefit amount also determines how many weeks you can collect - typically 26 weeks but it varies based on your work history.

You can actually estimate your benefit amount using the calculator on the Washington ESD website before you file your claim. It's pretty accurate if you have your wage information handy.

Just keep in mind that your benefit amount gets reduced if you work part-time while collecting unemployment. They have specific rules about how much you can earn before it affects your weekly payment.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to ask about my benefit calculation because the online info doesn't match what I'm seeing on my claim. Their phone lines are constantly busy and I keep getting disconnected. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there?

Don't forget that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay them later when you file your tax return.

The benefit amount also depends on whether you qualify for regular UI or if you're in some special category. Most restaurant workers qualify for regular unemployment unless you were part-time or seasonal.

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! I applied 3 weeks ago and still don't know what my weekly amount will be because my claim is stuck in adjudication. Washington ESD is the worst

For restaurant workers like you, make sure all your tip income was properly reported by your employer. If tips weren't reported correctly it can mess up your benefit calculation.

I worked in food service too and got about $280 per week in benefits. Your amount will probably be somewhere in that range based on the wages you described.

Make sure you apply as soon as possible after losing your job. There's a one-week waiting period before benefits start, and you can't get paid for any weeks before you file your initial claim.

The Washington ESD website has all the current benefit amounts listed but it's buried in their policy manual. The weekly minimum is $295 and maximum is $1,015 for 2025.

Also remember you have to do job search activities to keep getting benefits. Washington requires 3 job search contacts per week unless you're on standby with your employer.

I tried using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it actually worked great. Got through to Washington ESD in about 15 minutes to ask about my benefit amount calculation. Way better than the hours I spent trying to call myself.

Your benefit amount stays the same for your entire benefit year even if you get a different job and then become unemployed again within that year. So if you calculate $300/week now, that's what you'd get even if you worked somewhere else briefly.

Just file online through SecureAccess Washington (SAW). The system will calculate your benefit amount automatically based on your wage history from employers. You don't need to figure it out yourself beforehand.