How much does Washington ESD pay for unemployment benefits in 2025?

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount using your highest earning quarter from your base period. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999 plus a $25 dependency allowance if you have dependents. Your amount will be roughly 3.85% of your total wages during your highest quarter, but it can't exceed the maximum.

Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base year to calculate benefits. They take 1/26th of that amount for your weekly benefit. Maximum weekly benefit in 2025 is $999 per week. You'll also need to meet the minimum earnings requirement which is usually around $3,500 in your base year.

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your highest earning quarter from the last 18 months. The maximum weekly benefit amount for 2025 is $999, but most people get somewhere between 40-50% of their average weekly wages. With your income level you'll probably get close to the maximum.

Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base period to calculate benefits. They take that amount and divide by 26 to get your weekly benefit amount. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999, and you need to have earned at least $3,500 in your base period to qualify.

Washington ESD uses your highest quarter earnings from your base period to calculate your weekly benefit amount. Generally it's around 3.85% of your highest quarter wages, but there's a minimum of $295 and maximum of $999 per week as of 2025. With $52k annual income, you'd probably get somewhere in the $400-500 range weekly.

Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file). They take that amount and divide by 26 to get your weekly benefit. The maximum for 2025 is $999 per week. So if your highest quarter was around $13,000, you'd get about $500 weekly.

That's helpful! So if I made $52k last year, my highest quarter was probably around $14,000. That would put me at around $538 weekly then?

Washington ESD uses your highest quarter earnings from the base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed). They take that quarter's wages, divide by 26, then you get about 50% of that amount weekly. The minimum is $295/week and maximum is $999/week as of 2025.

Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base year to calculate benefits. They take that quarter's earnings, divide by 26, then multiply by about 0.385 to get your weekly benefit amount. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999 plus a $25 dependency allowance if you have dependents.

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator but it's buried somewhere in their system. I remember when I filed last year I was making $48k and got around $460 per week.

Just to clarify the calculation - Washington ESD looks at your wages from the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, they'd look at your wages from January 2024 through September 2024. The weekly benefit is about 1/26th of your wages in your highest earning quarter.

Don't forget you have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits too. Washington ESD will withhold federal taxes if you request it when you file your weekly claims.

i been getting $445 a week since november, was making about 65k before i got laid off. the calculation is confusing but thats what it worked out to

the base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file, just fyi. washington esd looks at your wages from all employers during that time

Exactly right! And you'd be eligible for up to 26 weeks of benefits assuming you meet all the other requirements.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check your benefit amount or get your claim processed, I'd suggest trying Claimyr. It's a service that helps you actually reach an agent - saved me hours of calling. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Don't forget you can only collect benefits for 26 weeks maximum in Washington, unless there are extended benefits available. Also your benefit amount stays the same throughout your claim unless you have a new claim with different wages.

JUST A WARNING - they will ask for documentation of your job search activities every week. You need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep detailed records. Don't slack on this or they'll disqualify you!

i think theres also a waiting week now? like you dont get paid for the first week you file? someone told me that but not sure if its true

The calculation can be confusing but there's also a minimum benefit amount - I think it's around $295 per week for 2025. So even if your wages were low, you'd get at least that much if you qualify.

That's actually better than I expected! Do you know if there's a minimum amount too?

Yes, the minimum weekly benefit amount is $295 for 2025. But with your salary history you won't be anywhere near that low.

just filed last week and still waiting to hear back from washington esd about my benefit amount... the waiting is killing me

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator tool but honestly it's not very user-friendly. What I found helpful was calling them directly to get my exact benefit amount calculated, but good luck getting through! I spent hours on hold trying to reach someone.

I think there's also a dependency allowance if you have kids? Not sure how much that adds though

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about your specific benefit amount, I used claimyr.com recently. They help you get connected to an actual agent without waiting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way easier than trying to call during peak hours.

The calculation can be confusing but I found a way to get exact answers from Washington ESD directly. I used Claimyr.com to actually get through to a real person at Washington ESD who calculated my exact benefit amount over the phone. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Way easier than trying to figure out the math yourself.

Just to clarify for anyone reading - the $999 maximum is for regular UI benefits. If you're on standby status or certain other programs, the amounts might be different. Also remember you'll need to file your weekly claims every week and meet job search requirements to keep getting paid.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A JOKE!!! I've been waiting 6 weeks for my claim to get through adjudication and still no payments. They say I'm eligible for $567/week but I haven't seen a dime. Meanwhile my bills are piling up and I can't get anyone on the phone to explain what's happening.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your benefit calculation or have questions about your claim, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They helped me get through to an actual agent when I couldn't reach anyone after calling for days. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

The benefit calculation can be confusing. Your base year is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in 2025, your base year would typically be Q4 2023 through Q3 2024. They look at all four quarters but use the highest one for the calculation.

just got approved last week and my weekly is $445. was making about 48k before i got laid off

Don't forget that unemployment benefits are taxable income! You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay them when you file your tax return. Washington ESD will send you a 1099-G form.

The washington esd system is so confusing!! I've been trying to figure out if my part time job will affect my benefits and I can't get a straight answer anywhere

The maximum is $999 but most people don't get that much. I think you need to have been making like $65,000+ to hit the max. Also remember you'll pay taxes on unemployment benefits.

Just remember you have to be actively looking for work and reporting your job search activities weekly to keep getting benefits. The amount doesn't matter if you don't follow the job search requirements.

I got $421 per week when I was unemployed last year. I was making about $45K before I lost my job. The calculation seems pretty straightforward once you know the formula.

How long did it take for your claim to get approved? I'm still waiting and it's been 3 weeks in adjudication.

ugh the whole system is so complicated... why can't they just tell you upfront what you'll get instead of making you do math with quarters and percentages

Make sure you apply as soon as possible after losing your job. There's no retroactive payments for weeks before you file your initial claim. I made that mistake and lost out on 2 weeks of benefits.

I've been on unemployment for 3 months now and the weekly amount has been consistent. Just make sure you keep filing your weekly claims on time and meet the job search requirements or they'll cut off your benefits.

does anyone know if they count severance pay against your benefits? my company gave me 2 weeks severance and im worried that will mess up my claim

The exact formula is kind of complicated but basically they look at your base year wages and divide by 52 weeks, then apply a percentage. You can actually estimate it on the Washington ESD website before you file.

one thing to remember is that unemployment benefits are taxable income so you might want to have taxes withheld or save some money for tax time. learned that the hard way

If you want to estimate it yourself, take your highest earning quarter from the past year, multiply by 0.0385, then check if it falls between the min/max. But calling Washington ESD for the exact calculation is definitely more accurate.

Don't forget that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay at the end of the year.

Another thing - make sure all your employers from the past 18 months reported your wages correctly. If there's missing wages it can lower your benefit amount. Washington ESD can help verify this when you call them.

The benefit amount also depends on your total wages during the base period, not just the highest quarter. You need to have earned 1.5 times your highest quarter wages during the entire base period to get the full benefit calculation.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for two weeks to ask about my benefit calculation because something seems wrong with my amount. Their phone system is absolutely terrible. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to a human there?

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! why cant they just tell you upfront what youll get instead of making you guess with all these formulas and base years and stuff

took about 2 weeks for mine but i didn't have any issues with my claim

My benefit amount was way lower than I expected when I first filed. Turns out I misunderstood which quarters they were using for the calculation. Make sure you understand your base year period!

i got laid off from amazon last month and my weekly benefit is $743. was making about $75k so sounds like the calculation worked out to roughly what others are saying here

I'll check that out, thanks! Is the base year the same as the last 12 months?

WASHINGTON ESD IS SO SLOW WITH EVERYTHING! I filed 3 weeks ago and still haven't gotten my first payment. They said my claim is in adjudication but won't tell me why or how long it will take. This is ridiculous when people need money to survive.

For anyone still struggling to get through to Washington ESD by phone, I mentioned Claimyr earlier and wanted to add that they were really helpful when I needed to check on my benefit calculation. They got me connected to an agent who walked me through exactly how my weekly amount was determined.

Quick question - does the weekly benefit amount change based on how long you've been unemployed? I thought I heard something about benefits decreasing after a certain period.

There's also a minimum weekly benefit amount of $295 in Washington. You need to have earned at least $7,670 in your highest quarter to qualify for any benefits at all. The formula is pretty straightforward once you understand it.

I'll second the Claimyr recommendation - saved me hours of frustration trying to get through to Washington ESD. Worth it just to get your questions answered quickly.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I think I'll try calling Washington ESD directly first, and if I can't get through I'll look into that Claimyr service.

One thing to watch out for - if you have any part-time work while collecting benefits, they'll reduce your weekly benefit dollar for dollar after you earn more than your weekly benefit amount. So if you get $500/week and earn $600 in part-time work, you'd lose $100 from your UI payment.

No, the base year is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters when you file. It's confusing but the website explains it better than I can.

You can actually get an estimate before you file by using the benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website. It's not 100% accurate but gives you a ballpark figure.

I think there might be some confusion in this thread about base periods and calculations. The way I understand it, Washington ESD looks at your wages from the first 4 quarters of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed, not your annual salary. So timing of when you file can actually affect your benefit amount.

What if you worked multiple jobs? Do they count wages from all employers or just your main job?

They count ALL wages reported to Washington ESD, regardless of how many employers you had. It's based on total earnings in each quarter.

still haven't heard anything about my claim status... this waiting is stressing me out so much

The whole system is set up to be confusing honestly. I've been dealing with an adjudication issue for 6 weeks now and still can't get a straight answer about my benefit amount. The website just says 'pending' for everything.

Don't forget you'll owe taxes on unemployment benefits. They don't automatically withhold federal taxes unless you request it. Learned that the hard way at tax time!

Been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to ask this same question about my benefit calculation. Their phone lines are absolutely impossible - either busy signal or they hang up on you after an hour on hold. So frustrating when you just need basic information!

For anyone wondering about the dependency allowance - you get an extra $25 per week if you have a dependent spouse or child. You have to specifically request it though, it's not automatic.

Maximum benefit is $999 but most people don't get that much. You'd need to be earning over $130K annually to max out.

does anyone know if the $999 max includes the dependency allowance or is it $999 plus $25 for a total of $1024??

I just want to add that if you're confused about your benefit calculation, it's really worth getting someone from Washington ESD to explain it. The automated system doesn't always show the full picture.

Just make sure you apply as soon as you become unemployed. There's a waiting week but you want to get your claim started right away to avoid delays.

The benefit amount also depends on whether you're on regular UI or if you qualify for any extended benefits, but most people start with regular unemployment insurance.

The maximum benefit amount in Washington is actually pretty good compared to other states. $999 per week is decent if you were making good money before.

I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks to get someone to explain my benefit calculation because the online portal doesn't show the breakdown clearly. Getting through to speak with an actual person is nearly impossible with their phone system.

keep in mind if you get any severance pay or vacation payout it might affect when your benefits start

If your wages were all from Washington employers, the calculation should be straightforward. It gets complicated if you worked in multiple states or had out-of-state employers.

just want to mention that the $999 maximum has been the same for a while now. with inflation and everything, $999 doesnt go as far as it used to. hopefully they increase it soon

Just wanted to share my experience - I was making $48K annually and my weekly benefit amount came out to $423. The calculation seemed to match what others have mentioned here about using your highest quarter earnings.

One thing to remember is that your benefit amount stays the same for your entire benefit year, even if you get a part-time job. If you work part-time, they'll reduce your weekly benefit based on your earnings but your base amount doesn't change.

The whole system is confusing and Washington ESD doesn't make it any clearer. I've been on unemployment twice and both times had to figure everything out myself because their customer service is nonexistent.

I was surprised how quickly I got my benefit determination after filing. Washington ESD was pretty efficient with processing my claim - got the monetary determination within a week.

Make sure you understand the difference between your weekly benefit amount and your maximum benefit amount. The weekly amount is what you get each week, but there's also a total maximum for your entire claim period.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr.com - they actually got me through to a real person at Washington ESD in under 30 minutes. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much time and stress.

Also remember that if you do any part-time work while collecting, they'll reduce your benefits dollar for dollar after the first $5 you earn each week.

Does anyone know if overtime pay counts toward the benefit calculation? I worked a lot of OT in my highest earning quarter.

I had the same problem until I found claimyr.com - they actually help you get through to Washington ESD agents. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.

The online system will show your potential weekly benefit amount once you complete your application. But sometimes there are delays in processing that can hold up your first payment even if your benefit amount is calculated.

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator tool but I found it hard to use. Getting a human to explain it was much clearer.

Don't forget you can also qualify for unemployment if your hours get reduced significantly, not just if you lose your job completely

One more tip - make sure you understand the work search requirements before you start claiming. Washington ESD is pretty strict about documenting your job search activities.

Bottom line - with your income level you're looking at probably $400-500 per week, but get the exact calculation from Washington ESD to know for sure. And remember to file your weekly claims on time every week once you start receiving benefits.

Yeah Washington ESD benefits aren't huge but they definitely help cover basic expenses while you're looking for work. Just make sure you follow all the rules to keep getting them.

One last thing - if you end up needing to call Washington ESD about your benefit amount or any other questions, definitely consider using Claimyr if the regular phone lines aren't working. Made a huge difference for me getting answers quickly.

Really? I've never heard of that service. Does it actually work for getting through to Washington ESD?

Yeah it worked for me. I was able to speak with someone within 30 minutes instead of spending days trying to call myself.

Are there any deductions from the weekly benefit amount? Like do they take out taxes or anything automatically?

You can choose to have federal taxes withheld (10%) when you file your weekly claims. It's optional but recommended since unemployment benefits are taxable income.

Good to know, thanks! I'll definitely elect to have taxes taken out.

The benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website is pretty accurate if you want to estimate your weekly amount before filing. You just need your wage history from the past 18 months.

I tried using that but it was confusing. Where exactly do I find it on their website?

It's under the 'File a Claim' section, then look for 'Benefit Estimator' or something similar. Sometimes the Washington ESD site is hard to navigate.

remember you also have to do the job search requirements to keep getting benefits. 3 job contacts per week i think

It's actually 3 job search activities per week, which can include applying for jobs, networking, attending job fairs, or other approved activities.

yeah thats what i meant, thanks for clarifying

Does anyone know if the benefit amount changes if you get a part-time job while collecting? I might have an opportunity for some part-time work but don't want to lose my benefits.

You can work part-time and still collect partial benefits. Washington ESD has a formula where they subtract your gross earnings from your weekly benefit amount, minus the first $5. So if you earn $200 and your weekly benefit is $500, you'd get $295 that week.

That's actually not too bad. So I wouldn't lose benefits completely, just a reduced amount?

Correct, as long as your earnings don't exceed your weekly benefit amount plus $5.

I'm confused about the base period thing. If I file my claim in March 2025, which quarters do they look at?

For a claim filed in March 2025, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024. They use the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters.

Okay that makes sense. So they don't count wages from October 2024 through now?

Not for the standard base period, but if you don't qualify using those quarters, they might use an alternate base period that includes more recent wages.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A JOKE! I made $60k last year and they're only giving me $380 per week. Meanwhile my friend who made less is getting more than me. Makes no sense!

The calculation is based on quarterly earnings, not annual salary. If your pay was spread evenly throughout the year, your highest quarter might be lower than someone who had uneven earnings with one very high quarter.

Still doesn't seem fair but I guess that explains it. The whole thing is confusing.

Quick question - do bonuses count toward the quarterly earnings calculation?

Yes, any wages reported to Washington ESD count, including bonuses, commissions, and overtime pay.

Great, I got a decent bonus in Q4 so that should help my benefit amount.

Been collecting for 8 weeks now and the process is pretty straightforward once you get started. The hardest part was getting my initial claim approved. Had to call multiple times to resolve some issues.

What kind of issues did you have? I'm worried about my claim getting held up.

They needed clarification about my reason for separation from my last job. Nothing major but it delayed things by about 10 days.

For anyone struggling to reach Washington ESD by phone, I recently discovered Claimyr which helps you get connected to an agent. Worked great for me when I needed to discuss my benefit calculation.

Is that legit? Sounds too good to be true with how impossible it is to get through normally.

Yeah it's legitimate. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ - shows exactly how the service works.

don't forget that unemployment benefits count as income for tax purposes. you'll get a 1099-G at the end of the year

Good reminder! That's why I'm planning to have taxes withheld from my weekly benefits.

smart move, saves you from owing at tax time

The $999 maximum seems pretty generous compared to other states. At least Washington takes care of unemployed workers better than most places.

True, but the cost of living here is also higher than most places so it balances out somewhat.

Fair point, especially in Seattle area where rent is crazy expensive.

I'm on standby status through my union. Does that affect the benefit calculation differently?

Standby benefits use the same calculation formula, but you don't have to do job search activities since you're expecting to be recalled to work.

Perfect, that's what I hoped. Thanks for confirming!

My claim was denied initially because they said I didn't earn enough, but I think they made an error. How do I get this reviewed?

You can file an appeal online through your eServices account. Make sure you have documentation of your wages ready. The appeal must be filed within 30 days of the denial notice.

Thank you! I'll get on that right away. I know I earned enough to qualify.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! This thread answered pretty much all my questions about benefit amounts.

Same here! Really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain how the calculations work.

Happy to help! The Washington ESD system can be confusing but once you understand the basics it makes more sense.

One more tip - if you're getting close to exhausting your regular benefits, look into Extended Benefits (EB) if the unemployment rate is high enough. Sometimes there are additional weeks available.

How do you know if Extended Benefits are available? Is it automatic or do you have to apply separately?

Washington ESD will notify you automatically if you're eligible when your regular benefits are about to expire. No separate application needed.

Just want to add that if you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD customer service, the Claimyr service really does work. I was skeptical at first but it saved me so much time and frustration.

How much does it cost? Is it worth paying for when you can theoretically call yourself?

For me it was definitely worth it considering how many hours I'd already wasted trying to get through on my own. The demo video shows the whole process.

Washington unemployment system is actually pretty generous if you qualify. The hard part is getting through all the paperwork and actually talking to someone when you have questions.

Make sure your employer doesn't contest your claim! Mine tried to say I was fired for misconduct when I was actually laid off. Had to go through an appeal process.

The benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website is pretty accurate for estimating your weekly amount. I used it before filing and it was within $10 of my actual benefit.

whatever you do dont lie about your earnings or work history... they cross check everything and will catch you. just be honest on your application

The weekly benefit amount is just one part of it. You also need to think about how many weeks you can collect. That's based on how much you earned in your base year total.

I'm getting $445 per week which covers my basic expenses but definitely not enough to maintain my previous lifestyle. Better than nothing though!

pro tip: set up direct deposit for your unemployment benefits. much faster than waiting for checks in the mail

Remember that your benefit amount is based on Washington state wages only. If you worked in multiple states, that can complicate the calculation.