How much does unemployment give in Washington - what's the weekly benefit amount?

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your earnings during your base period, which is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. The maximum weekly benefit amount for 2025 is $999, but most people get way less than that. Your benefit is roughly 3.85% of your total base period wages divided by 52 weeks.

i got laid off last year and was getting $340 a week from washington esd. took forever to get approved though, like 6 weeks of waiting

The benefit calculator on Washington ESD's website can give you an estimate, but you need your wage information from all employers in your base period. If you only worked 8 months at your current job, they'll also look at any other work you had before that. Don't forget you have to actively search for work and log those job contacts - it's 3 per week minimum.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your benefit amount, I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me connected to a real person. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Beats sitting on hold for hours just to get hung up on.

The weekly benefit amount also depends on whether you have any dependents. You can get additional money for dependent children under 18. I think it's like $25 per dependent but don't quote me on that exact amount.

Make sure you understand the difference between your gross weekly benefit amount and what you'll actually receive. They take out federal taxes if you elect to have them withheld, which I'd recommend so you don't get hit with a big tax bill next year.

also dont forget you only get benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks unless there's some extension program going on. so dont count on it lasting forever

The whole system is ridiculous if you ask me. You pay into unemployment insurance your whole working life and then when you actually need it, they make you jump through a million hoops and the amount barely covers basic expenses. $260 a week is like $1040 a month - try living on that!

Update: I found the benefit calculator on the Washington ESD site and plugged in my numbers. Looks like I'd get around $280 per week based on my earnings. Not great but it'll help with groceries and gas while I job hunt. Thanks everyone for the info!

Pro tip: keep detailed records of all your job search activities from day one. Washington ESD can audit your job search log at any time and if you can't prove you've been actively looking for work, they'll stop your benefits. I learned this the hard way.

Just remember the maximum duration is 26 weeks but that's only if you have enough wage credits in your base period. If you've only been working 8 months, you might not qualify for the full 26 weeks of benefits.

i've been on unemployment twice and both times had issues getting through to someone when I had questions about my claim. that claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier actually sounds useful - wish i'd known about it when i was dealing with an overpayment notice

Don't forget about WorkSource registration requirements too. You have to register with WorkSource within 2 weeks of filing your claim and participate in reemployment services if they require it.

The benefit amount calculation can be confusing because they use your highest earning quarter in your base period, not just an average. So if you had one really good quarter, that could boost your weekly benefit amount.

Keep in mind that if you do any freelance or gig work while collecting unemployment, you HAVE to report that income on your weekly claims. Even like $20 from a side hustle - report everything or you could face an overpayment determination later.

honestly the weekly filing is the worst part. you have to do it every single week and if you miss even one week you lose benefits for that week. set a reminder on your phone because they don't send you notifications

If your claim gets stuck in adjudication like mine did, you might want to check out that Claimyr service to actually reach someone at Washington ESD. I waited 2 months trying to get through on my own before using them to finally talk to an adjudicator about my case.

The most important thing is to file your claim immediately when you become unemployed. Even if you're not sure about your eligibility or benefit amount, file anyway. You can't get benefits for weeks before you file, so don't wait.