How much do you make for unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your earnings from the past year. They look at your highest quarter of earnings and divide by 26. The minimum weekly benefit is $295 and maximum is $999 for 2025. With your work history at $16/hour, you'd probably qualify for somewhere in the middle range.

i think its like 60% of what you were making but not sure about the exact math

I was in a similar situation last year and had trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about my benefit amount. Kept calling the main number but could never get past the busy signal. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Definitely worth checking out if you can't get through on your own.

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator you can use to estimate your weekly amount. Just need to enter your quarterly wages from the past year.

WASHINGTON ESD TAKES FOREVER TO PROCESS ANYTHING!! I filed 6 weeks ago and still haven't gotten my first payment. They say my claim is in adjudication but won't tell me why or how long it takes.

For 2025, Washington ESD uses your base year (first four of the last five completed quarters) to determine your weekly benefit amount. Your WBA is calculated as your highest quarter earnings divided by 26, but there are also alternative calculations if you don't qualify under the standard method.

my friend got like $450 a week but she was making way more than $16/hour. probably depends on your specific situation

Don't forget you have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits! Washington ESD will send you a 1099-G at the end of the year. You can choose to have federal taxes withheld from your weekly payments.

The whole Washington ESD system is confusing. I spent hours trying to figure out if I qualified and how much I'd get. Ended up using Claimyr to get connected to someone who could explain everything properly.

I got $312 a week when I was unemployed last year. Was making about $15/hour at Target before I got laid off. Not enough to live on but better than nothing.

been trying to call washington esd for weeks about my benefit amount but keep getting hung up on after waiting on hold forever

Just to clarify for anyone reading this - your weekly benefit amount also depends on whether you have any part-time earnings while collecting. Washington ESD will reduce your benefits dollar-for-dollar after you earn more than your weekly benefit amount.

My sister qualified for the maximum $999 a week because she was making really good money as a nurse before she got unemployment. The calculation really depends on your earnings history.

Don't even bother trying to call Washington ESD during normal business hours. I finally got through at 7:45 AM on a Tuesday after calling the minute they opened.

One important thing to remember is that Washington ESD benefits last for up to 26 weeks in most cases. So if you qualify for $400 a week, that's potentially $10,400 total over the benefit year if you remain unemployed the whole time.

whatever you do make sure you keep track of your job search activities because washington esd requires 3 job search contacts per week and they do audit people

I was surprised how fast I got approved once I finally submitted my application. The Washington ESD online system worked pretty well for filing the initial claim.

The benefit estimator on WorkSourceWA might also help you get an idea of what you'd qualify for before you file with Washington ESD.

honestly the hardest part isn't figuring out the benefit amount its dealing with washington esd customer service when you have problems. good luck getting through to anyone

Hope this thread helped answer your question! The benefit amount calculation can seem complicated but Washington ESD does a decent job of explaining it once you get into the system.