How much does Washington ESD unemployment pay in 2025?

That's actually better than I expected. Do you know what the maximum weekly amount is?

The max weekly benefit in Washington is $999 for 2025. You'd need to have earned quite a bit to qualify for that though.

Thanks! That's higher than I expected. Do you know how they determine the base year? Is it the last 12 months of work?

Base year is usually 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 in most cases.

Thanks! So if I made $45,000 last year, that would be about $33 per week? That seems really low...

No, you're calculating wrong. It's 3.85% of your total base year wages, not per week. So $45,000 x 0.0385 = $1,732 annually, which is about $33 per week. But there's also a weekly benefit calculation that's different - it's typically 60-65% of your average weekly wage up to the maximum.

I'll check out the calculator. Do you know if the $999 max has gone up recently? Seems like everything else has gotten more expensive.

Yeah it was $844 just a couple years ago, so it does adjust. Washington ESD updates it annually based on the state's average weekly wage.

Did you have any issues with the application process? I'm worried about getting stuck in adjudication.

nah mine went through pretty smooth once i actually got to file. the hard part was reaching someone when i had questions about my claim status

Never heard of that before. Is it legit? Seems too good to be true that something can actually get you through to Washington ESD.

Yeah it's real - they have a website at claimyr.com. I was skeptical too but it actually worked. Got connected to an agent in like 15 minutes instead of calling for hours.

Interesting! I might try that if I run into issues. The regular phone line is basically useless during peak hours.

How many job applications do you need to submit per week? I've heard different numbers.

You need to complete at least 3 job search activities per week. This can be applications, interviews, networking events, or approved training. Keep detailed records because they audit these randomly.

Good to know! I'll definitely have them withhold taxes if I file.

How long did it take to get your first payment? I filed 2 weeks ago and still haven't heard anything back from Washington ESD.

Took about 3 weeks total. Had to do the waiting week and then there was some delay in processing. If you haven't heard anything, I'd try calling them. Actually, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an agent faster - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

What counts as actively job searching? Do I need to apply to a certain number of jobs per week?

You need to do at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log. This can include applying for jobs, networking, going to job fairs, etc. WorkSourceWA has more details on what qualifies.

That's a good point. If you have periods of unemployment or reduced hours during your base year, it definitely affects your weekly benefit amount.

I've been consistently employed for the past 2 years so hopefully that won't be an issue for me.

It varies because it's based on your specific wage history in your base year. The percentage isn't fixed at 50% - it depends on how much you earned and when.

oh ok that makes sense. the whole base year thing is confusing to me

Ugh, I didn't think about taxes. So if I get $500/week, I should expect less than that after taxes?

Well, no state income tax in Washington, but yes you'll owe federal taxes on it. Having the 10% withheld is usually easier than dealing with estimated payments.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - they help you get through to an actual agent. Worth checking out if you're stuck in phone hell.

I had the same problem until I started calling right at 8am when they open. Still takes forever but at least I don't get hung up on as much.

I'll try the early morning thing. And maybe look into that Claimyr service too if I keep having issues.

I only worked in Washington so that probably doesn't apply to me, but good to know!

That's really helpful info. I worked in Oregon for part of last year before moving to Washington. Should I look into filing there instead?

You'd need to compare the benefit amounts and see which state would give you more. You can only file in one state though, so choose wisely.

3 job contacts doesn't sound too bad. Do they verify those or just trust you?

They can audit your job search log at any time, so keep detailed records. I've heard of people getting disqualified for not having proper documentation.

yeah i always have them withhold 10% for federal taxes. better than getting a surprise tax bill later

Good to know! I'll definitely opt for withholding if I file.

Good point. My layoff should be official so hopefully no issues there.

Even if you're laid off, sometimes employers contest claims. Had a friend who got laid off but the company fought it saying he was fired for cause. Took months to resolve.

Is that legit? How much does it cost?

Yeah it's real, they just help you get through the phone queue. Way better than hitting redial for hours.

Tell me about it. I spent more time dealing with Washington ESD paperwork than actually job searching some weeks.

At least we have these online forums to help each other figure it out. The Washington ESD website explanations are pretty unclear sometimes.

So if I made $100 from a side gig, they'd reduce my benefits by $95?

Exactly. It's called the earnings deduction. Better to be honest about it though - they do check and penalties for not reporting income are severe.

Learned this the hard way. Didn't report some freelance work thinking it was too small to matter. Washington ESD caught it and I had to pay back benefits plus penalties.

That base year thing is confusing. Why don't they just use your most recent earnings?

It's to prevent people from working a high-paying job for just a few weeks to inflate their benefits. The system looks at sustained earnings over time.

The maximum benefit amount is adjusted annually based on the state's average weekly wage. It's designed to replace about 50% of your previous income up to the cap.

makes sense. just wish it was closer to 60% or 70% like some other states

How does that work exactly? Do they charge a lot for it?

They have a video demo that explains it better than I can - https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Basically they handle the calling and waiting so you don't have to sit on hold forever.

What counts as a 'suitable' job? Does it have to be in the same field?

Usually they give you some time to find something in your field, but eventually you might have to take lower-paying work. It varies by situation.

Smart approach. Also make sure you file as soon as possible after becoming unemployed - there's no waiting period in Washington but you can't get benefits for weeks before you actually apply.

And remember about Claimyr if you need to reach an agent for any reason during the process. Much easier than trying to call Washington ESD directly.

26 weeks should be plenty of time to find something new. Hopefully I won't need anywhere near that long.

That's the spirit! Most people find work well before exhausting their benefits. The key is staying active with your job search.

Good to know about the debit card. Can you transfer that money to your regular bank account?

Yes, you can transfer it but there might be fees depending on how you do it. I just used the card directly for most purchases.

That sounds about right for your income level. Good luck with the application process!

Hope it goes smoothly for you. Don't hesitate to ask if you run into any issues during the filing process.

That's actually good to know. I might pick up some freelance work while looking for full-time.

Just make sure you report all earnings when you file your weekly claim. Being dishonest about income can get you in serious trouble.

Wow that's actually more complex than I thought. Good thing Washington ESD does the calculation automatically.

Yes, thankfully you don't have to do the math yourself. The online system handles all the calculations when you file your initial claim.

Yes, if you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you won't get any unemployment for that week. If you earn less, they'll reduce your benefit by the amount you earned minus the first $5. You have to report all earnings when you file your weekly claim.

Thanks! So basically any income gets deducted from the unemployment payment?

Not exactly - there's a $5 earnings disregard, so you can earn up to $5 per week without any reduction. Anything above that gets deducted dollar for dollar from your weekly benefit.

Good point! I'll make sure to keep all my records organized.

So if I file this week, I wouldn't get paid until next week?

Actually it's more like you won't get paid for your first week of unemployment, but payments start after that if you're approved.

That sounds scary. Did you eventually get it resolved?

Yes but it took forever and multiple appeals. Document everything from day one.

I'm skeptical of anything that charges money to call a government agency.

I was too, but after spending weeks trying to get through myself, it was worth it to actually get answers about my claim.

How do they determine if you qualify for the full 26 weeks?

It's based on your total base year earnings. You need at least 680 hours of work and earnings of at least $1,024 in your base year to qualify.

I was laid off due to budget cuts, so I should be okay on that front.

Good, that definitely qualifies. Just make sure you have documentation from your employer about the layoff.

Okay, good to know it's just based on my individual earnings then.

I'll definitely try the website first. Thanks for the tip!

And when you do need to call, remember that Claimyr service can save you the headache of busy signals.

Is that required or just recommended?

It's not technically required but it helps document your job search efforts and they do check that you're actively looking.

What day of the week do you have to file?

You can file Sunday through Saturday for the previous week. I always do mine on Sunday mornings so I don't forget.

Yeah, even $400 a week is way less than my regular salary. Definitely need to find something soon.

How long did your adjudication take?

Almost 8 weeks. I finally got through to someone using that Claimyr thing another person mentioned and they helped explain what was happening.

My employer already said they wouldn't contest it since it was a layoff, not performance related.

That's great! Should make the process much smoother for you.

Did you have to wait long for your first payment after filing?

About 2 weeks after my first weekly claim. They have to process everything and verify your information first.

I'm sold on trying that service. The regular phone line is basically impossible to get through during business hours.

That's good to know. So if I find a job quickly but then lose it again, I'd still get the same weekly amount?

Exactly, as long as it's within the same benefit year. You'd just need to reopen your existing claim rather than file a new one.

How do you remember to file every week? I'm worried I'll forget.

i just set a reminder on my phone for every sunday. the system opens at 6am and you have until the following saturday to file for that week

Great advice! I'll make sure to be thorough when I fill out the application.

Absolutely. Accuracy and completeness are key to avoiding adjudication delays and other complications.

You're welcome! Glad it helped you too. This community has been really informative.