How much do you receive for unemployment benefits in Washington?

The weekly benefit amount depends on your earnings in your base period, which is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. For someone making $48k annually, you're probably looking at somewhere between $300-500 per week, but Washington ESD calculates it based on your highest quarter earnings.

Maximum weekly benefit in Washington is currently $999 per week, but most people don't get that much. The formula is roughly 3.85% of your total base period wages divided by 52, but there's also a minimum based on your highest quarter. I'd estimate you're looking at around $400-450 weekly based on your income level.

Just a heads up - the application process can be really frustrating. I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks about my claim status and their phone lines are always busy. If you need to talk to someone, I recently found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to an agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Don't forget you also have to meet the job search requirements to keep getting benefits. It's 3 job search activities per week now. Make sure you keep good records in your WorkSourceWA account.

I get $385 per week and I was making about $45k. Been on UI for 2 months now. The amount seems pretty consistent with what others are saying here.

The benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website is pretty accurate if you can figure out your base period wages. I used it before filing and it was within $20 of my actual weekly amount.

Whatever you do, make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week. I missed one week and it was a nightmare trying to get it backdated. Had to call Washington ESD multiple times.

This whole system is so confusing. Why can't they just tell you upfront what you'll get instead of making you calculate base periods and quarters?

One thing to keep in mind - if you had any periods of unemployment or reduced hours in 2024, that could affect your base period calculation. Washington ESD might use an alternate base period if it results in a higher benefit amount.

Just remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income. Don't spend it all thinking it's free money - you'll owe taxes on it next year unless you have them withhold it upfront.

Update on that Claimyr service I mentioned - I used it again yesterday to check on my benefit year ending and got through to an agent in about 20 minutes. Way better than spending hours trying to call on my own.

Has anyone else had issues with their benefit amount changing randomly? Mine went from $392 to $356 one week with no explanation.

The whole UI system in Washington is so much better than other states I've heard about. At least we get decent benefit amounts and the online system usually works.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I feel much more confident about filing now. Sounds like I should expect somewhere around $400 per week based on my earnings.

Don't forget about the work search requirements I mentioned earlier. You need to log into WorkSourceWA and document your job search activities every week. It's not optional!

The benefit amount also depends on how many dependents you have. If you have kids, you might qualify for additional dependency allowances on top of your base weekly benefit amount.

One more thing about that phone service - claimyr.com really saved me when I had an adjudication issue that needed immediate attention. Sometimes you just can't wait for a callback or email response from Washington ESD.

Just want to confirm what others said - maximum is $999/week but most people get way less than that. You'd need to be making over $125k annually to hit the maximum benefit amount.

Make sure you understand the difference between your weekly benefit amount and your maximum benefit amount. The weekly is what you get each week, but the maximum is the total you can receive during your benefit year.

The timing of when you file can actually affect your benefit calculation if you're close to a quarter boundary. Something to keep in mind if you're right at the end/beginning of a quarter.