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

Thanks! So if I made $13,000 in my highest quarter that would be $500 per week?

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

Thanks! So if I made like $12,000 in my highest quarter that would be about $178 per week? That seems really low compared to what I was making.

Yeah that sounds about right for your wage level. Remember unemployment is designed to be temporary assistance, not full wage replacement. You can request 10% federal tax withholding when you file your weekly claims.

Thanks! That's actually higher than I expected. Do you know if that includes the extra federal money or is that just the state amount?

That's just the regular Washington state UI benefits. There's no federal add-on money anymore like there was during covid.

So if I made like $7,000 in my best quarter, that would be around $269 per week? That seems lower than I expected.

Yeah that sounds about right. Remember you also have to meet the minimum earnings requirement - you need at least $3,850 in your base period to qualify at all.

Tell me about it! I've been calling for days and either get disconnected or stuck in a queue for hours. It's so frustrating when you just need a simple answer.

I actually found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much time and stress.

Interesting, I'll have to look into that. At this point I'm willing to try anything to avoid sitting on hold for 3 hours again.

Oh wow that's way more than I expected! So if I made around $37k last year, what would that translate to roughly?

With $37k annual income, you'd probably qualify for somewhere around $450-550 per week, but Washington ESD calculates it precisely based on your quarterly wages. The exact formula divides your highest quarter earnings by 26.

That's helpful, thanks! I worked pretty consistently so hopefully I'm on the higher end. Do they take taxes out or is that something I need to handle myself?

You can choose to have 10% federal taxes withheld when you file your weekly claims, but it's optional. Washington doesn't have state income tax so you don't need to worry about that part.

Thanks! That actually matches pretty close to what I was making. Do you know if they automatically deduct federal taxes or do I need to request that?

You have to request tax withholding when you file your weekly claims. It's optional but definitely recommended since unemployment is taxable income.

Thanks! That helps a lot. I think my highest quarter was around $14,500 so maybe I'll get close to $550 weekly?

Sounds about right. You can also get up to 26 weeks of benefits typically, so that's important to factor into your planning.

That's actually really good! Did you have any issues with the application process or was it straightforward?

mostly easy but had trouble reaching washington esd when i had questions about my claim status. kept getting busy signals

That's actually higher than I expected! So they use the quarter where I made the most money? That would help since I got a raise mid-year.

Yeah the formula is designed to replace about 50% of your average weekly wage up to the maximum. Most people don't hit the max unless they were making really good money.

The online calculator is pretty accurate as long as you entered your wages correctly. You should get your monetary determination letter within a week or two.

ok good to know, been checking my account obsessively lol

Oh no, I didn't think about taxes! How much do they typically take out?

10% federal if you choose withholding. you can change it anytime in your esd account

Never heard of that before but might be worth checking out if the phone lines are as bad as everyone says

Interesting, I'll have to remember that. Washington ESD phone system is definitely frustrating when you need answers quickly.

Did you have any issues getting your payments? I keep hearing horror stories about people waiting months.

mine took like 3 weeks to start coming but after that it was pretty regular every tuesday

So if my highest quarter was around $15,000, I'd get about $576 per week? That seems higher than I expected.

That math looks right, but remember you also have to meet the minimum earnings requirement across your entire base period to qualify.

That sounds about right actually. Unemployment isn't meant to replace your full salary, just provide temporary assistance while you job search.

yeah i get that but still a shock when you see the actual amount in your account

So if I was making around $880 a week gross, I'd get maybe $550-600 in unemployment? That's actually not terrible.

Yeah that sounds about right, but it depends on your earnings history over the whole base period, not just your last job.

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $13,000, that would be about $500 per week?

That sounds about right. The formula is total wages in highest quarter divided by 26, then that gets you close to your weekly amount.

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was like $5,850 that would be about $225/week? That's actually more than I expected.

Exactly, around $225 sounds right for your situation. You can get up to 26 weeks of benefits if you qualify for the full duration.

Never heard of that service before. Does it actually work or is it just another scam? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for two weeks with no luck.

It's legit - I was skeptical too but it got me through to an actual Washington ESD rep in like 20 minutes instead of the hours I was spending getting busy signals. They explained my benefit calculation and helped me understand when my payments would start.

Anything that helps you actually talk to someone at Washington ESD is worth it. I swear they designed that phone system to keep people from getting through.

It's actually your two highest quarters added together, then divided by 2, then divided by 26. But yeah it's confusing as hell.

Wait, there's extra money for dependents? I have two kids - how does that work exactly?

Yeah, it's $25 per week total (not per child) if you have qualifying dependents. You'll need to provide their social security numbers when you file your claim.

How do I find out my exact base year earnings? Do I need to dig up all my old paystubs?

No, Washington ESD has all your wage records from employers. When you file your initial claim they'll calculate it automatically and show you the breakdown.

Thanks, that helps! Do you know how long benefits last? I heard it was 26 weeks but wasn't sure if that changed.

Yes, standard unemployment in Washington is up to 26 weeks, but it can be less depending on your work history and the state's unemployment rate.

I'll check out that calculator again. What's this Claimyr thing about? Is it legitimate?

Yeah it's legit - basically helps you get through the phone queues to talk to actual ESD staff when you need clarification on your benefits or claim status.

I used Claimyr last month when my benefit amount seemed wrong. Got through to someone in like 20 minutes instead of trying to call for hours.

Never heard of that before. Does it actually work? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days about my claim.

Yeah it worked for me. I was getting nowhere with the regular phone number and this got me through to someone who could explain my benefit calculation properly.

Interesting... might have to try that. The Washington ESD phone system is absolutely terrible.

That's really frustrating, but the OP is just asking about benefit amounts, not claim processing times.

Yeah well what good is knowing the amount if you can't even get approved? Just saying don't count on anything

That's actually higher than what the other person calculated for me. Maybe it depends on how many hours you worked?

yeah i was working full time 40hrs consistently for like 18 months so that probably helped my base period wages

The maximum was increased to $999 for 2025. It goes up each year based on the state average wage.

oh wow really? wish i knew that when i was claiming last year lol

I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents - you basically schedule a callback instead of sitting on hold. I used it last month and actually got to talk to someone within like 20 minutes. Here's their site: claimyr.com and they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

What exactly does 'able and available' mean? I can work but I'm being picky about jobs since I don't want to take a huge pay cut.

You need to be genuinely looking for work and willing to accept suitable employment. Being too picky about wages could potentially disqualify you, but 'suitable work' considers your skills and previous wage level.

THIS IS IMPORTANT - don't be too honest about being picky or Washington ESD might flag your claim for adjudication. I learned this the hard way.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr (claimyr.com). They actually help you get through to Washington ESD agents by phone. I was skeptical at first but watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ) and decided to try it. Got connected to an agent within 30 minutes and got my benefit calculation explained properly.

Interesting, I've never heard of that service before. Did they charge you a lot for it?

They focus more on the value of actually reaching someone rather than the cost. For me it was worth it since I'd been trying for weeks on my own.

Good to know! I don't have kids but that's useful info for others.

Which quarters count as the base period? I'm so confused by their terminology.

It's the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed. So if you filed in January 2025, they'd look at your wages from January 2024 through September 2024.

Never heard of that service before. Did you have to pay them to get through to Washington ESD?

Yeah there's a cost but honestly it was worth it to finally talk to someone who could give me real answers about my claim. Way better than calling hundreds of times and getting busy signals.

I used Claimyr last month when my claim was stuck in adjudication. Super easy to use and I got connected to an agent the same day. They explained my whole benefit calculation and helped resolve my claim issue.

What counts as a job search contact? I've been applying online but wasn't sure if that's enough.

Online applications count, but you can also do networking contacts, attending job fairs, contacting employers directly, even LinkedIn outreach. Just make sure you document everything in WorkSource with details about what you did.

I tried that but I don't have all my old pay stubs. Is there another way to find my quarterly earnings?

You can request your wage and tax statement from Washington ESD, but it takes a few days to process. Your employer should also have records of your quarterly wages if you ask HR.

That percentage helps me understand it better. So for my $37k that would be maybe $425ish per week? That would actually cover most of my bills.

Sounds about right. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week or you'll lose those benefits permanently.

Wait really? I have two kids and nobody told me about this when I filed. How do I add dependents to my claim?

You'll need to contact Washington ESD to add them. You'll need birth certificates and possibly other documentation to prove dependency.

Actually the dependent allowance for 2025 is $31 per dependent child up to 5 dependents, so you could get an extra $62 per week with two kids.

Oh no, how did you know it was wrong? I'm worried I won't even notice if they mess up my calculation.

i had kept track of all my paystubs so i knew what my quarterly earnings were. when i did the math myself it didn't match what they said

Never heard of that service before but honestly anything that helps avoid those ridiculous hold times sounds worth trying.

Did they charge you a lot? I'm already worried about money obviously.

It was totally worth it for the peace of mind. Way better than wasting entire days trying to get through on the phone.

Never heard of that but might be worth trying. I've been trying to call ESD for days about my claim status.

Is that legit? I'm always skeptical of third-party services for government stuff.

Yeah it's legit, they just help you get through the phone queue. You still talk directly to Washington ESD agents, they don't handle your personal info or anything.

That's actually better than I expected. Should help cover most of my essential expenses while job hunting.

There's actually a benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website, but it's buried pretty deep in their site. Most people miss it.

where?? ive looked everywhere and cant find anything helpful

Good point, I'll need to set up that WorkSource account. Thanks for the reminder!

Yeah definitely do that before you file your first weekly claim. Makes everything easier.

Sounds like you might have had earnings that affected your weekly benefit calculation. If you work part-time while collecting unemployment, they reduce your benefits based on how much you earn that week.

No this was from BEFORE I even filed my claim, like from 6 months earlier when I had a side gig. Apparently it was in my 'base period' whatever that means.

Good point. I guess I should at least try since I'm already out of work.

Definitely file. The worst they can say is no and then you know for sure.

Good point! I didn't even think about taxes. What percentage do they typically withhold?

You can choose to have 10% withheld for federal taxes. Washington state doesn't have income tax so you don't need to worry about state withholding.

That's a good idea. I'll look into what other programs might be available in my area.

I tried that calculator but it kept giving me error messages. Is there a better way to estimate it?

Unfortunately their online tools can be glitchy. If you're having trouble getting through to check or if you need to speak with someone about your calculation, I'd recommend trying Claimyr at claimyr.com - they help people get through to Washington ESD agents when the phone lines are jammed. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Oh wow, I didn't think about that. So if I get $269 per week, I should probably have like 10% withheld for taxes?

Yeah, federal tax withholding is 10% and you can also choose to withhold state taxes. Better to have it taken out upfront than owe a lump sum later.

Never heard of that before but honestly anything beats sitting on hold forever. Did they charge you a lot?

They don't publish pricing but it was reasonable considering I got my questions answered same day instead of waiting weeks for a callback that might never come.

I'm skeptical of third party services but if Washington ESD phone system wasn't so broken we wouldn't need alternatives

I tried that calculator but wasn't sure which quarters to use. Is it the last 5 calendar quarters or something else?

It's based on your base period which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you filed in December 2024, your base period would be July 2023 through June 2024.

It's not random - it's based on your specific wage history. $485 sounds about right for your earnings level.

I know it's not actually random, just feels that way when you're trying to budget on way less money!

What day of the week do you usually file your weekly claim? Is there a best time?

I file mine every Sunday morning. The system is usually less busy then compared to weekdays when everyone's trying to file.

I do Sundays too but sometimes the website is slow. Anyone else have issues with the online system?

Interesting, I didn't know about the benefit year vs. weeks available. That's actually pretty helpful to understand.

Yeah it's confusing but good to know. Also if you work part-time while collecting, they'll reduce your weekly benefit but you might still get something.

I got laid off due to company downsizing so I think I'm in the clear there. Sounds like regular unemployment is what I'd qualify for.

Yeah layoffs are usually straightforward. Just make sure you have documentation from your employer about the layoff in case Washington ESD needs it for verification.

That's the second time someone mentioned that service. Might be worth the investment if it actually works.

I used Claimyr too when I had questions about my standby claim. Definitely worth it if you're stuck waiting on hold forever.

Never heard of that service before. Did they charge you anything to help with the call?

They do charge a fee but it was worth it to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD instead of wasting entire days trying to get through on my own. The agent was able to walk me through exactly how they calculated my weekly amount.

How many job searches do you have to do each week? I keep seeing different numbers online.

its 3 job search activities per week unless you're in a training program or something. make sure you keep good records cause they can audit you

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

It's actually $31 per dependent for 2025, up from previous years.

I tried that calculator but I couldn't figure out which quarters to use. My work history is kind of spotty from when I was in school.

The base period is automatically determined when you file. If your recent quarters don't qualify you for benefits, they'll use an alternate base period with more recent wages.

Yeah I'm worried about that. My rent is $1400 so even $600/week would be tight.

You might qualify for other assistance too - food stamps, rental assistance, etc. Don't just rely on unemployment.

Did they do an adjustment on your claim? Sometimes if there's missing wage information they'll recalculate your benefit amount once they get all your employment records.

Maybe? Nobody tells you anything! I just see random numbers changing in my account with no explanation.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr to get through to someone. Having an actual person explain what's happening with your claim is so much better than trying to guess from the online portal.

I've been at my job for 3 years so that shouldn't be an issue. Good to know though!

This is so important. I learned this the hard way when I got a new job and then got laid off 6 months later. My benefits were based on my old lower-paying job.

Yes, Washington ESD has a benefit calculator on their website. You'll need your wage information from the past 18 months to get an accurate estimate.

the calculator is pretty hidden on their site but if you search for 'unemployment benefit calculator washington' it should come up

I know it's frustrating, but the calculation is actually pretty straightforward once you understand the base period concept. Your base period is the first 4 quarters of the 5 quarters before you filed your claim.

See, that's exactly what I mean! Quarters and base periods - why can't they just say 'you made X amount last year so you get Y per week'?

What counts as job search activities? Just applying for jobs or other things too?

Job applications, networking events, career fairs, creating/updating your resume, WorkSource workshops - there's a list on the ESD website.

the job search thing is such a pain but you have to do it or they'll cut you off

It's because everyone's work history is different. The system has to account for seasonal workers, people with gaps in employment, etc.

What counts as a job search contact? Just applying online or do you need to do more?

Online applications count, but so do things like networking events, contacting employers directly, working with WorkSource. They want to see you're actively looking, not just going through the motions.

I keep a spreadsheet with all my job search activities. Makes it easy to report when filing weekly claims.

Oh crap I didn't think about taxes. Can you have them withhold taxes or do you have to pay estimated quarterly?

You can request 10% federal tax withholding when you file your weekly claims. There's a checkbox for it. Washington state doesn't have income tax so no worries there.

Washington doesn't provide additional benefits for dependents like some other states do. Your benefit amount is based solely on your work history and wages.

That's disappointing but good to know. Thanks for clarifying.

Good to know about the range. My salary was decent but not max-benefit level so I'm probably somewhere in the middle.

Don't forget you can also get the extra $25/week if you have dependents, that adds up over time

That's really helpful to know. Did you have any issues with the adjudication process or did your claim go through smoothly?

Pretty smooth actually. Only got stuck when I had a question about my work search requirements and couldn't reach anyone at Washington ESD. That's when someone recommended Claimyr to me - made all the difference in getting answers quickly.

Oh there's a calculator? I didn't see that on their site.

Yeah it's kind of buried in the site but if you search for 'benefit calculator' it should come up.

Great! Now make sure you file your weekly claims on time and keep track of your job search activities.

Congrats on getting it filed. The hardest part is over.

Thanks for sharing your actual amount - that really helps me estimate what to expect!

Correct, no more waiting week in Washington. You can get paid for your first week of unemployment as long as you're eligible.

That's good to know. I might pick up some gig work while looking for full time. How much can you make before it affects your benefits?

you can make up to about $200 before they start reducing your weekly benefit. anything over that and they subtract it dollar for dollar from your unemployment payment

Oh wow I didn't even think about taxes. Do I set that up when I file my initial claim or later?

You can set it up anytime during your claim. Just log into your account and change your tax withholding preference. Better to do it early so you don't forget.

learned this the hard way too. owed like $2000 in taxes on my unemployment benefits from last year

I usually worked 35-40 hours a week, sometimes more during busy seasons. Sounds like I should be in that range then.

Don't forget that your benefit amount also determines how long you can collect. In Washington you can get up to 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits.

Yes, overtime counts! It's all part of your total wages for that quarter. So if you had a lot of overtime in your highest quarter, that could definitely increase your weekly benefit amount.

Sweet! I was pulling 10-15 hours of OT per week for most of last year. That should help.

Oh no, I didn't think about taxes. How much should I expect to pay?

It depends on your total income for the year and filing status, but generally plan for around 10-22% to be safe. You can have 10% withheld automatically through your online account.

Have you tried filing an appeal if you think your benefit amount is wrong? There's a process for that.

How am I supposed to appeal when I can't even get consistent information about what I'm supposed to be getting in the first place?!

This is exactly why I ended up using Claimyr. The inconsistent information from different agents was driving me crazy. At least with their service I got connected to someone who could actually look at my account properly.

It depends on when exactly you filed your claim. If you filed in December 2024, your base year would be July 2023 through June 2024. If you didn't work much during that period, you might qualify for alternate base year which looks at more recent quarters.

This is giving me a headache. How is anyone supposed to understand this system without a degree in bureaucracy?

That's good to know. So if I wait a few months to file, would that change my benefit amount?

Potentially yes, because your base period would shift to include more recent quarters. But don't wait too long - you only have a limited time to file after becoming unemployed.

Good to know! When do you have to file the weekly claims by?

You have to file by 11:59 PM on Sunday for the previous week. I usually do mine on Sunday morning just to be safe.

wait so if I don't file my weekly claim by Sunday I just lose that whole week's payment? that seems harsh

Good point, I forgot about taxes. So if I get $600/week I should really think of it as $540 or so.

exactly, learned this the hard way my first time on unemployment

26 weeks seems like a decent amount of time to find something. Hopefully won't need anywhere near that long though!

Yeah 26 weeks is pretty standard. Some states have less. Just make sure you're actively looking because they do check up on your job search activities.

26 weeks doesn't seem like very long if you can't find work quickly. What happens after that?

After regular UI runs out you might qualify for Extended Benefits (EB) but only if unemployment rates are high enough. Otherwise you're on your own or have to look into other assistance programs.

If your claim is under review, it might be in adjudication. That can take weeks to resolve depending on the issue. Have you tried calling to find out what's holding it up?

I've tried calling so many times but can never get through. Maybe I should look into that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier.

I feel your pain. The best times to call are usually right when they open at 8am or during lunch hours, but even then it's hit or miss.

I've tried every time slot you can think of. At this point I'm ready to pay someone else to deal with it for me.

What are the job search requirements? I assumed I just had to look for work but didn't know there were specific rules.

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep detailed records. They can audit you at any time and if you can't prove you did the searches, they'll make you pay back benefits.

The job search thing tripped me up too. You have to log everything in WorkSourceWA and they're really picky about what counts as a valid contact.

Yeah I tried using that calculator and it was confusing AF. Filing the actual claim was clearer.

Oh crap I didn't think about taxes. How much should I set aside?

Depends on your tax bracket but maybe 10-15% to be safe. You can elect to have 10% withheld automatically.

Good advice. I have my final pay stub and termination letter so I should have everything I need.

Definitely don't want to mess around with that. Sounds like being honest and following the rules is the way to go.

Exactly. The system works well if you follow the rules. Most people who have problems either don't understand the requirements or try to game the system.

That's reassuring to hear multiple success stories. I'll definitely keep that option in mind if I run into issues with Washington ESD.

Good to know there are alternatives when the regular phone lines are jammed. Washington ESD really needs to fix their call center capacity.

That's more in line with what I was hoping for. The $178 calculation from earlier seemed way too low to actually help with bills.

The calculation can be tricky because it depends on your specific wage history. If you've been consistently full-time for a while, you'll get more than someone with irregular hours or recent employment gaps.

That's exactly why services like Claimyr are helpful - they can get you connected to the right person who can explain your specific situation instead of getting bounced around.

never heard of that but might be worth trying at this point

Your weekly benefit amount stays the same throughout your claim year. Standard unemployment lasts up to 26 weeks in Washington, but that can be extended during high unemployment periods.

Got it, thanks. So if I'm getting $700 a week, that's what I'll get every week for up to 26 weeks?

Exactly, as long as you keep filing your weekly claims and meet all the requirements.

Wait, so if my weekly amount is $400 and I earn $300 at a part-time job, I'd still get $105 in unemployment?

Exactly! $400 minus $5 is $395, so you can earn up to $395 before your benefits start getting reduced. In your example, you'd get the full $400.

That's actually better than I thought. Thanks for explaining that!

How do you verify they have all your wage information? I worked for a couple different companies last year.

You can check your wage records in your SecureAccess Washington account. If something's missing you need to contact the employer or Washington ESD to get it added.