How much does unemployment pay in Washington - confused about weekly benefit amounts

What exactly is the base period? Is that the last 4 quarters I worked?

The base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024.

That's helpful! I was working about 25 hours a week consistently. Do you know if there's a calculator somewhere to figure out the exact amount?

Yeah, Washington ESD has a benefit calculator on their website but it's kind of buried in there. You'll need your wage info from the past 18 months to get an accurate estimate.

That's actually higher than I expected! Do you know if partial unemployment benefits are calculated the same way?

Yes, partial benefits use the same weekly benefit calculation, but they deduct any wages you earn that week. You can earn up to your weekly benefit amount before they start reducing your payment.

Thanks! So it's not just based on my most recent job? That's confusing because I only worked at this retail place for 6 months.

Right, they look at all your work from the past 12-18 months depending on when you file. If you had other jobs before retail that paid more, those quarters might be your highest.

Thanks! That helps a lot. I think my best quarter was around $8,800 so that would put me at maybe $340 a week? That's actually more than I expected.

Don't forget you still have to pay federal taxes on unemployment benefits. Washington doesn't tax it but the feds do.

It's not 60% - that's a common misconception. Washington uses a complex formula based on your quarterly earnings. The 60% figure might be what you're thinking of from other states.

oh ok thanks for correcting me, i just remembered hearing that percentage somewhere

You're right, I oversimplified it. The two-quarter average is the correct calculation method.

Wait, so they use two quarters not just one? This is getting confusing. Is there a calculator somewhere?

Washington ESD has a benefit calculator on their website but it's pretty basic. Your best bet is to just file the claim and see what they determine.

That's helpful! So if my highest quarter was around $12,000, I'd get about $462 per week? That seems reasonable for covering basic expenses.

Exactly! And remember you can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks in most cases, though you'll need to file weekly claims and meet job search requirements.

So if my highest quarter was around $13,000, I'd get $500 per week?

Exactly! $13,000 divided by 26 = $500 weekly. That sounds about right for your salary range.

It's actually not 60% exactly - Washington uses a more complex formula. They look at your two highest earning quarters and calculate based on that. The percentage varies depending on your income level.

see this is why i hate dealing with government stuff, nothing is ever straightforward

Good to know! How long did it take to get approved and start receiving payments?

still waiting actually, been about 10 days and it's showing pending adjudication. kind of frustrating not knowing when it'll be resolved

That's actually pretty helpful! So it's not just a straight percentage of your salary.

wait that math doesn't seem right? if you made 50k that's like $12,500 per quarter, divided by 26 is like $480, times 0.0385 is only like $18??

Ah sorry I didn't explain the full formula - there's actually two parts to it and they use the higher amount. It's more complex than just that one calculation.

Thanks! Is there a way to estimate it more precisely? I'm trying to budget and need to know if I should start looking for something immediately or if I have a little breathing room.

You can log into your SecureAccess Washington account and check your quarterly wage history. That'll give you the exact numbers to calculate with.

That's helpful but I'm still confused about the calculation. How do I know what my highest quarter was? And why haven't I gotten paid yet if I filed two weeks ago?

You can see your quarterly wages in your Washington ESD account under monetary determination. The delay is probably because your claim is in adjudication - that's normal for new claims and can take 2-4 weeks.

It's not quite 60% though, Washington ESD has their own formula that's more complicated than that.

yeah ur right, i just remember it being less than i hoped lol

Never heard of Claimyr before - does it actually work? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about a different issue.

Yeah it worked for me! I got connected within like 15 minutes instead of the usual 2+ hour wait times. Check out claimyr.com if you're interested.

Hmm interesting, might have to try that. The Washington ESD phone system is absolutely brutal right now.

What's the minimum you need to earn to qualify? I've only been at this job for 18 months.

i think its like $3,800 in your base period but dont quote me on that. you should check the washington esd website or call them

That's really helpful, thank you! I'll try to dig up my old paystubs to figure out my highest quarter.

You don't need to dig up paystubs - Washington ESD has access to all your wage records from employers. They'll calculate it automatically when you file.

Have you tried calling right at 8am when they open? That's usually the best time to get through to Washington ESD.

I had the same problem last month! I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to a Washington ESD agent in like 20 minutes. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Basically they handle all the calling and waiting for you.

Try calling right at 8am when they open. Sometimes you can get through then.

Thanks! That helps. Do they look at gross or net income when calculating the base period?

They use your gross wages that employers reported to Washington ESD. Make sure all your employers properly reported your earnings or it could affect your benefit calculation.

Interesting, I've never heard of that before. Is it expensive to use?

It's definitely worth it when you need to get through quickly. Much better than the alternative of calling 50+ times and getting hung up on.

Hmm, seems like something that shouldn't be necessary if ESD had better phone systems. But I guess if it works...

Same issue here! I called like 20 times and could never get through to check on my weekly benefit calculation.

You should try Claimyr - it's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. I used it when I needed to talk to someone about my benefit amount and it actually worked. Check out claimyr.com and they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

So if my highest quarter was around $14,000, that would be about $538 divided by 2? That's only $269 a week?

That sounds about right, maybe a bit more depending on your exact earnings. You can check your monetary determination letter for the exact amount once it's processed.

good to know about the minimum, didn't realize that existed

That's helpful, though I think my amount will be higher than the minimum based on what the first person calculated.

Have you tried using Claimyr? It's this service that gets you through to actual Washington ESD agents without all the waiting and busy signals. My cousin used it last month - claimyr.com. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that but honestly willing to try anything at this point. The phone system is absolutely broken.

Wait, is that legit? Sounds too good to be true when everyone's complaining about not being able to get through to Washington ESD.

How many jobs do I need to apply to each week? I heard it was 3 but someone else told me 5.

It's 3 job search activities per week in Washington. Can be applications, networking, job fairs, etc. Keep detailed records because they audit job search logs regularly.

I've been trying to call for three days and keep getting the busy signal or getting disconnected after waiting on hold forever. Is there any other way to find out?

Actually, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Basically they handle all the calling and waiting so you don't have to sit on hold for hours.

That's helpful to know! Did you have any trouble with the job search requirements? I heard you have to apply to 3 jobs per week.

Yeah, it's 3 job search activities per week. Can be applications, networking contacts, job fairs, etc. You log them in your WorkSourceWA account.

I feel your frustration but getting angry won't help. Try calling right when they open at 8am, that's usually the best time to get through.

I've tried that too! Called at exactly 8:01am and still got a busy signal. The whole system needs to be completely overhauled.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr above - it takes away all that frustration of trying to get through yourself.

That's actually higher than I expected! How long did your adjudication take?

Mine was pretty straightforward since it was a layoff, no adjudication needed. Just had to wait for the initial processing.

It usually takes about a week to get your monetary determination letter. Then you can start filing weekly claims if everything looks good.

ok good to know. i was getting worried something was wrong

Wait, there's actually a way to get through to Washington ESD without waiting on hold for hours? This sounds too good to be true.

I was skeptical too but it really works. They handle the calling and waiting, then connect you when an agent is available. Worth checking out if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD.

I'll definitely look into this if I have issues with my claim. Thanks for the tip!

Is that legit? I've never heard of using a service to call Washington ESD.

Yeah it's real - they basically handle the waiting on hold part for you. I was skeptical too but it actually worked when I needed to talk to someone about my claim.

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. You put in your info and they call you back when they connect with an agent. Saved me hours of calling. Check out claimyr.com - they even have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ

Really? That sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost?

I don't remember the exact cost but it was worth it to actually speak with someone about my claim. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting hung up on.

Thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for. I have one dependent child - how much is the dependency allowance?

For 2025, the dependency allowance is $26 per week for each qualifying dependent, up to 5 dependents maximum.

I didn't even know there was a dependency allowance! Do you have to apply for that separately?

How much did that cost? I'm already worried about money if my hours stay cut.

It was worth it for me to get actual answers instead of guessing. The agent was able to look at my wages and give me an exact weekly benefit amount calculation.

I've heard mixed things about those calling services. Did they actually help you get your claim processed faster?

Wait, so if I'm still working a few hours they'll reduce my benefit? How does that calculation work?

Yeah, they have this formula where they subtract your weekly earnings minus $5, then subtract 75% of whatever's left from your benefit amount. It gets complicated fast.

This is exactly why I needed to talk to someone at Washington ESD directly. The online info doesn't explain all these scenarios clearly enough.

I don't have dependents so no extra there. Six weeks though?? I was hoping to get paid within 2-3 weeks.

yeah it's brutal. And that was AFTER I finally got through to someone at Washington ESD to fix an issue with my claim. Good luck with the phone lines.

I understand the frustration, but unemployment isn't designed to replace your full income. It's meant to be temporary assistance while you search for new employment.

temporary assistance that takes forever to get approved and then barely helps. the system is broken

I hear you on this. The waiting periods and bureaucracy make everything worse when you're already stressed about money.

Is this legit? How much does it cost? I'm already broke waiting for unemployment to start.

Yeah it's totally legit. I don't remember the exact cost but it was worth it to finally talk to someone and get my claim sorted out. Way better than wasting entire days trying to call myself.

Seems sketchy to me. Why would you pay someone to make a phone call for you? Just keep trying to call Washington ESD yourself.

Good point about taxes. Can I have them withhold federal taxes automatically when I file my weekly claims?

Yes, there's an option during your weekly claim filing to have 10% withheld for federal taxes. I'd recommend it - saves you from a big tax bill later.

I learned this the hard way. Owed like $800 in taxes because I didn't withhold anything from my unemployment payments.

What counts as a job search activity? I've been applying to jobs on Indeed but wasn't keeping detailed records.

Applications, networking events, job fairs, even informational interviews count. But you need to log them with specific details - company name, date, contact person if applicable.

I don't have kids so that doesn't apply to me, but good to know for others reading this.

Do stepchildren count as qualifying dependents? I have two stepkids living with us full time.

Yes, stepchildren you're supporting financially count as qualifying dependents for the dependency allowance.

This is super helpful! I think my highest quarters were probably around $6,000 each so that would put me at like $231 per week?

That sounds about right based on your calculation. Just remember you also have to meet the minimum earnings requirement to qualify - you need at least $7,000 in your base period.

So if I work part-time and make $100 in a week, they'd reduce my unemployment by $95?

Exactly. You can earn up to $5 per week without any reduction, then it's dollar-for-dollar after that.

That's actually not a bad deal if you can find some side work to supplement the unemployment.

Have you tried filing an appeal? If you think their wage calculation is wrong, you have appeal rights.

I tried but can't get anyone on the phone to explain what documents I need. It's like they don't want to help people.

I had a similar issue with my wage records being incomplete. Used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and finally got through to an agent who could see what was missing from my file. Turns out one of my employers hadn't reported my wages properly.

Yes, unemployment benefits count as income for SNAP calculations. But you might still qualify depending on your benefit amount and household size.

Thanks, I'll look into it. Every little bit helps right now.

Wow that's way more than I thought the max would be. What do you need to earn to get close to that amount?

You'd need to have earned around $25,948 in your highest quarter to qualify for the maximum WBA. That's pretty high earnings for most people.

Wait is that right? I thought the max was lower than that. Are you sure about the $999 figure?

Good to know about the 26 weeks. I'm hoping to find work before then but it's reassuring to know I have that time.

Actually you might qualify for even more weeks if you're in certain training programs or if Washington has extended benefits active. Check your Washington ESD account for details.

Oh wow, I didn't realize they were taxable. That's important to know. How much do they typically withhold for taxes?

You can choose to have 10% withheld for federal taxes. There's no state income tax in Washington, so that's all you need to worry about for withholding.

A whole week with no payment? That's rough when you're already dealing with job loss stress.

Yeah, it's standard across most states. The idea is to give them time to process everything and make sure claims are legitimate. Just budget for that gap if possible.

I've been waiting 3 weeks now for my claim to clear adjudication. The waiting period is nothing compared to these processing delays!

Wait, you have to pay taxes on unemployment?? Nobody told me that. How much should I set aside?

Yeah unemployment is taxable income. You can choose to have 10% withheld when you file your weekly claims, or you can pay quarterly estimated taxes. I learned this the hard way my first time on unemployment.

Oh right, I forgot about that requirement. Is that 3 actual applications or can it include things like networking?

It needs to be legitimate job search activities - applications, interviews, job fairs, etc. Networking counts but you need documentation.

The eServices portal is definitely not user-friendly. Your payment info is under 'Payment Information' but sometimes it takes forever to load or shows errors.

That's exactly what I'm dealing with! Pages either don't load or show me error messages. So frustrating when you're already stressed about money.

Definitely worth applying if your hours got cut that much! Even if you only get a partial benefit, it's better than nothing. You can work up to a certain amount and still collect some UI.

ok thanks, guess ill bite the bullet and try to figure out the application

So if my weekly amount is $340, my maximum would be around $8,840 total?

That's right, assuming you're eligible for the full 26 weeks. But you only get benefits for weeks you're actually unemployed and actively looking for work.

And don't forget you have to file a weekly claim every week to get paid, even if nothing has changed in your situation.

How many job searches do I need to do each week?

You need to complete 3 job search activities per week in Washington. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or using WorkSourceWA services.

I know right? It shouldn't be this hard to get a simple answer.

The complexity is because they have to account for different work patterns and ensure fairness across all types of workers. It's not perfect but there's reasoning behind it.

How did you actually get through?? I've been trying for weeks!

Honestly I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Paid like $20 or whatever and they got me connected in under 30 minutes. Saved me so much frustration.

There actually is a benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website, but it's buried pretty deep in their resources section. You have to enter your quarterly wages manually.

WHERE?? I've looked everywhere and can't find it!

That's super helpful to see a real example! Gives me hope I can estimate mine too.

Wait, that math doesn't look right to me. If you divide 8400 by 26 you get about 323, but then you multiply by 3.85% which would be about $12, not $325.

You're right, I made an error in my explanation. The actual formula is more complex - Washington ESD uses a percentage of your average weekly wage during your highest quarter. The 3.85% I mentioned isn't how it works.

That seems like a decent amount. How long did it take after filing to find out your benefit amount?

They sent me a monetary determination letter about 5 days after I filed. That's when I found out the exact weekly amount.

You can work part-time while collecting unemployment in Washington, but your weekly benefit gets reduced based on how much you earn. There's a small earnings disregard, but anything over that gets deducted from your UI payment.

Good to know. I'll have to report any work when I file my weekly claims then.

Make sure you report ALL earnings, even cash tips. Washington ESD audits this stuff and if they catch unreported income you could face penalties or have to pay back benefits.

Yeah I remember that calculator being totally unhelpful when I filed last year.

Right? Like why even have it if it's going to tell you anywhere from $200-800 lol

I did have a few months of reduced hours last year due to COVID stuff. Does that mean my benefits will be lower?

Possibly, yes. Washington ESD looks at your highest earning quarter to calculate benefits. If that quarter had reduced hours, your weekly benefit amount will be lower. You can check your wage history in your online account to see exactly what they're using for the calculation.

Good point! I forgot unemployment is taxable income. Do most people have taxes withheld or just pay at the end of the year?

I always have them withhold 10% federal tax to avoid a big bill later. You can change this setting in your SecureAccess Washington account.

Where do I find the benefit calculator? I can't find it on their website.

It's buried in their site somewhere under 'Before you apply' or something like that. But honestly it's easier to just wait for your monetary determination - that'll tell you everything you need to know.

Good point! I should probably have them withhold taxes then, I don't want to owe a bunch next year.

Yes definitely do the withholding if you can afford the reduced amount. I learned that lesson the hard way.

Ugh I didn't even think about taxes. So if I get $300 a week I should save like $60 for taxes?

Yeah somewhere around there. You can have them withhold 10% automatically when you file your weekly claims if you want.

Good point. If I'm still working a few shifts a week do I need to report that income?

yes absolutely! you have to report all work and earnings on your weekly claim even if its just one shift. they'll reduce your benefits but you wont get disqualified

What counts as a valid job search contact? Is it just applying for jobs online?

Applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, contacting employers directly, even some training activities can count. The key is keeping detailed records of everything you do.

That's discouraging to hear. Is there anything you wish you'd known before filing?

Keep copies of EVERYTHING. Every document, every email, every phone call log. The system isn't user-friendly and mistakes happen. Having documentation saved my butt when they tried to say I didn't report some part-time work.

What are the job search requirements like? I haven't applied yet but want to know what I'm getting into.

You have to apply for 3 jobs per week and keep a log of all your activities. It's not too bad once you get into a routine but it's definitely time consuming.

The job search thing is such a pain. Half the applications I submit never even get acknowledged.

Really? How much did it cost? I'm desperate but don't want to get ripped off.

It was worth it for me - way cheaper than missing weeks of benefits because I couldn't get my claim resolved. They don't ask for your personal info either, just help you get connected.

Yeah that's the thing I like about it - they're not asking for your SSN or claim details, just getting you through the phone maze to actual Washington ESD staff.

You're the second person to mention Claimyr. Might be worth trying since I can't seem to get through the normal way.

Wait, is Claimyr legit? Sounds too good to be true with how impossible it is to reach Washington ESD normally.

Yeah it's legit. They basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent picks up. Way less frustrating than doing it yourself.

Yeah their online tools are pretty unreliable. I gave up trying to use the calculator and just filed my claim to see what I'd get.

Same here. Half the time their website doesn't work properly. It's frustrating when you're trying to get important information about your benefits.

Good advice! I'll make sure to set that up when I file.

Also make sure your bank info is correct. I had to wait 3 weeks for a corrected deposit because I fat-fingered my account number.

Oh I didn't think about taxes. How much should I have withheld?

Washington ESD withholds 10% for federal taxes if you elect that option. Depending on your total income for the year, you might owe more or get a refund.

Definitely elect for withholding. I learned that lesson the hard way when I owed $2,000 in taxes on my unemployment benefits.

Really? I thought they got rid of the waiting week during COVID?

They temporarily waived it during the pandemic but it's back now. You still need to file for that first week but won't get paid for it.

So if I file this week I won't get any payment until two weeks from now?

Oh wow, I didn't think about taxes. How much do they withhold if you choose that option?

They withhold 10% for federal taxes. You can request this when you file your weekly claims.

That makes sense. I'm probably somewhere in the middle of that range based on my salary.

Exactly - to get the maximum you'd need to have earned over $25,000 in your highest quarter, which means making around $100k+ annually.

This is really helpful! So if I file now, my base period would be from last year's quarters?

Exactly. If you filed in February 2025, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024. That's why timing can matter for your benefit calculation.

How does it work exactly? Do you have to give them your personal information?

You just tell them what you need to discuss with ESD and they handle the calling part. Pretty straightforward process from what I experienced.

That's a lot more than I expected! How long did it take to get your first payment?

About 3 weeks from when I filed, but that was before they had all the COVID delays. Should be faster now.

So if I pick up some part-time work, I can still get some unemployment? How does that work exactly?

Yeah, as long as you report all your earnings when you file your weekly claim. If you earn less than your weekly benefit amount, you'll get partial benefits. Just make sure to report everything honestly or you could get in trouble for overpayment later.

True, Washington has one of the higher maximum benefit amounts. The minimum is also decent at $295/week compared to some states that start much lower.

That's reassuring. Even the minimum would help me cover basic expenses while I look for more hours.

How much does that cost though? I'm already tight on money, don't want to pay extra fees.

I think it's pretty reasonable considering how much time and frustration it saves. Check their website for current pricing.

It's pretty accurate if you have all your wage information correct. The tricky part is making sure you're using the right quarters for the calculation.

Thanks! I'll give it another try with my pay stubs handy.

Don't worry about making mistakes on the initial application. Washington ESD will review everything and contact you if they need clarification. It's better to file sooner rather than later since you can't get benefits for weeks before you file.

That's reassuring. I guess I should just file and figure out the details as I go.

So even if I get approved quickly, I won't get paid for the first week? That's an extra week without income.

Exactly. It's their way of saving money I guess. But you do get that week back at the end of your benefit year if you don't use all your weeks.

Good point. In my case it would be a layoff, so I think I'd be okay on that front.

Layoffs are usually straightforward for eligibility. The tricky cases are when someone gets fired for misconduct or quits without good cause.

Good point. Is there a threshold where it's not worth filing for partial benefits?

Generally if you're working more than 32 hours a week or earning more than your weekly benefit amount, you won't get any unemployment payment for that week.

So someone with higher wages gets benefits for longer? That doesn't seem fair.

Not necessarily longer, but potentially a higher total benefit amount. The 26 weeks is the same for everyone, but your weekly amount varies based on your earnings.

Actually during certain economic conditions they sometimes extend benefits beyond 26 weeks, but that's not common and requires federal approval.

How long did it take you to find new work? I'm worried this job market is terrible right now.

It took me about 3 months, but I was being picky about the role. If you're open to different types of positions it might be faster.

Thanks for the tip! I'll look that up.

WorkSource has some good resources that people don't know about. They also help with job search activities if you need ideas for meeting your weekly requirements.

Yeah, I heard some states max out at like $300-400 per week. We're lucky in that regard.

That makes me feel better about potentially having to file. At least the benefits are reasonable here.

How much does that cost though? I'm already tight on money.

It's worth it when you need to actually reach someone at Washington ESD. Way better than wasting entire days trying to get through on your own.

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs?

Job applications, networking events, career fairs, informational interviews, skills training - there's a list on the Washington ESD website of what qualifies.

What causes a claim to go into adjudication? I'm worried mine might get delayed.

Lots of things - if you quit your job, got fired, have multiple employers, or if there's any discrepancy in your work history. Sometimes it's just random.

I've seen claims go to adjudication just because someone worked in multiple states or had a gap in employment. The system flags anything that looks unusual.

Do I need to start the job search right away or can I wait until I'm approved?

You need to start job searching immediately when you file your claim. The requirements kick in right away, not when you get approved.

That gives me hope that I'll get a decent amount. The waiting is killing me though - bills don't stop!