How much does unemployment pay in Washington state - need to budget

Thanks! Do you know what the base year period is exactly? I started my job in March 2024.

Your base year is the first four of the last five completed quarters before you filed. So if you file now, it would be Q4 2023 through Q3 2024.

That's helpful to know, thanks. Did you have any issues with the calculation or did it seem accurate?

seemed right to me but honestly i never double checked their math lol

That helps! I think my best quarter was probably around $7,500 so that would be about $288/week if I'm doing the math right.

Don't forget you can work part-time and still collect some benefits as long as you report your earnings on your weekly claim.

That would actually help a lot! My rent is $1200 so even $400/week would cover most of my basics. How do I find out my exact amount?

You'll see your exact weekly benefit amount when you file your initial claim. Washington ESD will calculate it automatically based on your wage history in their system.

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

Yes, that sounds about right. Just remember you can collect for up to 26 weeks in most cases.

Wait I'm confused - I thought it was just the highest quarter divided by 26? Now I'm not sure what to expect.

The division by 26 is a rough estimate that works for many people. The actual calculation uses both high quarters but the result is usually pretty close.

That's way more than I expected! I thought it would be like half of what I was making. Do I need to report this as income on my taxes?

Yes, unemployment benefits are taxable income. You'll get a 1099-G form from Washington ESD at the end of the year. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments if you want.

I had the same problem until I found claimyr.com - they actually got me through to a Washington ESD agent in like 20 minutes. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way better than calling hundreds of times myself.

Really? That actually worked for you? I'm desperate at this point, might have to try it.

Don't forget taxes! They don't automatically withhold federal taxes from unemployment benefits so you might want to set aside 10-15% for tax time.

Oh wow I didn't even think about taxes. Thanks for the heads up!

Good point about taxes! I forgot about that. Is it better to have them withhold or just pay at tax time?

Depends on your situation, but I usually recommend having it withheld so you don't get hit with a big tax bill later.

Good to know about the minimum! I have one dependent so that extra $25 would help.

How long does it usually take for them to calculate and approve the benefit amount?

Usually 2-3 weeks if there are no issues with your claim. Sometimes longer if it goes into adjudication.

Good point about filing right away. I was waiting to see if my employer might call me back but probably shouldn't wait.

Definitely don't wait! I made that mistake and lost 2 weeks of benefits. File immediately, you can always go back to work if they call you back.

Never heard of that service before. Does it actually work for getting through to Washington ESD?

Yeah it worked for me. They handle the calling and waiting so you don't have to sit on hold. Worth it when you need answers about your claim.

Interesting, might have to try that if I can't get through the regular way.

Oh right, I forgot about that. Thanks for the reminder!

You can request to have federal taxes withheld when you file your weekly claims. Makes it easier at tax time.

Good to know about the waiting week! How long does it usually take to get the first payment?

If there are no issues with your claim, usually 2-3 weeks from when you first file. Could be longer if they need to verify your employment or wages.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an actual person. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works.

Never heard of that before. Does it actually work or is it some kind of scam?

It's legit. I used it last month when I needed to talk to someone about my job search requirements. They called me back within a few hours and had me connected to a Washington ESD rep. Way better than spending all day redialing.

The maximum weekly benefit amount for 2025 is $999. At $22/hour you'd likely be close to or at the maximum depending on how many hours you worked and your earnings in your highest quarter.

damn thats actually not bad, almost as much as i was making. how long can you collect for?

Standard unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks in Washington. Could be extended during high unemployment periods but right now it's just the standard 26 weeks.

Yeah I saw that on the Washington ESD website. Do they actually check up on those or is it just honor system?

They can audit your job search log at any time, so definitely keep good records. I log everything in WorkSourceWA to be safe.

How does that work exactly? Do they just call for you or what?

They basically navigate the phone system and wait on hold for you, then connect you when they get a human agent on the line. Super helpful when you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD.

sounds interesting but is it legit? seems too good to be true

What happens if I worked multiple jobs? Do they count wages from all employers?

Yes, they combine wages from all employers during your base period. Make sure Washington ESD has records of all your employment - sometimes smaller employers are slow to report wages.

How many job searches do you have to do each week?

3 job search activities per week minimum. can be applying for jobs, going to job fairs, networking events, etc. just keep good records

I thought it was 2 per week? Or did they change it recently?

its 3 for most people but depends on your situation. if youre in a union or on standby it might be different

I'll check that out, thanks! Didn't know they had a calculator.

Yeah it's under the 'Calculate Benefits' section. Super helpful for planning your budget.

Same experience here. The calculator doesn't account for all the different factors that go into the final amount.

I'll probably skip the calculator then and just wait for the official determination.

Thanks for breaking down the math! That helps me understand how they calculate it.

Wait, I thought it was just a percentage of your previous wages? This formula seems more complicated.

It's not a simple percentage. Washington uses the quarterly method which often results in higher benefits than percentage-based states.

Good point, I was thinking about my take-home pay. Gross would be higher so that's encouraging.

Also if you had any overtime or bonuses in your high quarter that all counts toward the calculation.

I think I should be good on the hours requirement. Been working steady for about 2 years.

You need at least 680 hours in your base period to qualify for Washington unemployment benefits.

Where do you find the calculator? I looked on their website but couldn't find it.

It's buried in their FAQs section. Honestly their website is pretty confusing to navigate. Search for 'benefit calculator' and it should come up.

That's lower than I was hoping but still helpful to know. I did get a decent bonus in Q2 2024 so maybe that will bump it up.

Yeah the bonus quarter could definitely help your calculation. The system automatically uses whatever quarter gives you the highest benefit amount.

That's helpful to know - so it sounds like the payments are reliable once you get approved?

Yes, as long as you don't have any adjudication issues or forget to file your weekly claim. Direct deposit hits my account every Tuesday.

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

Job applications, networking events, career fairs, skills training, even some online courses. They have a list on the Washington ESD website.

the worksource requirement is such a pain honestly. half the activities feel like busy work

Yeah I read about that requirement. Shouldn't be too hard to find 3 places to apply each week.

It's not just applications - can also be networking events, job fairs, interviews, etc. Keep good records of everything.

Really? I was planning to just call them directly. Is it that hard to get through?

Trust me, you'll spend hours on hold or get disconnected. Claimyr bypasses all that hassle and connects you directly to a real person.

Never heard of that service but honestly might be worth it. I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for a week about my adjudication.

I've been steady at this job for 2 years so that shouldn't be an issue for me.

Lucky you! I had some gaps and it really hurt my benefit amount.

That's good to know! So I could do some gig work or part-time without losing everything.

Just make sure to report ALL earnings when you file your weekly claims. Washington ESD is strict about this.

Yeah they cross-reference with employers so don't try to hide any income!

So if I get $600/week in unemployment and work part-time making $300, I'd still get some unemployment money?

Yes, but they deduct your earnings from your benefit amount. So you'd get $600 - $300 = $300 in unemployment plus your $300 in wages. You come out ahead by working.

Actually that's not quite right. There's a formula they use - it's not just a straight deduction. The first $5 is ignored, then they deduct 75% of your earnings over $5 from your benefit amount.

Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to them? A friend of mine used it when she got disqualified and needed to talk to someone about her appeal. They were able to connect her to a Washington ESD rep the same day.

Never heard of it. Is it expensive?

I don't know the cost but my friend said it was worth it to get her benefits restored. Check out their website at claimyr.com - they explain how it works.

This is so important! I've seen people get hit with huge overpayment bills because they didn't report part-time work correctly.

Good to know. I'm planning to focus on job searching full time anyway but I'll remember this if anything comes up.

That's awful! Have you tried filing a complaint or contacting your state representative? Sometimes that gets their attention.

I tried everything. Even sent them wage stubs proving my earnings but they just ignore it. This is money I EARNED and they're stealing it from me!

Try the Claimyr service - they specialize in getting people connected to Washington ESD agents. Might be your best bet for actually talking to someone who can fix your wage calculation.

The complexity comes from federal and state regulations they have to follow. But I agree it's not user-friendly at all.

It's just frustrating when you're already stressed about losing your job and then have to decode all this bureaucratic nonsense

Wow I had no idea the max was that high now. I remember when it was like $600 something a few years ago.

Yeah it's gone up quite a bit. Most people still get somewhere in the $300-600 range though depending on their work history.

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr when I had issues. Couldn't get through on my own after dozens of attempts.

Hopefully mine goes smoother but good to know what I might be facing.

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

Did you actually get through to someone who could explain your calculation?

yes! the agent walked me through exactly how they calculated my weekly amount and even caught an error in my base year wages that got me more money

that sucks man, have you tried appealing or getting help from someone?

I've tried everything. Can't get through on the phone, online messages go nowhere. It's ridiculous.

Check out that Claimyr thing someone mentioned above. Might help you actually talk to someone at Washington ESD.

Oh wow, I didn't think about taxes. Can they withhold federal taxes automatically?

Yes, you can elect to have 10% federal taxes withheld when you file your claim. Washington has no state income tax so that's not an issue.

Your weekly benefit amount stays the same throughout your benefit year. It's calculated once when you file your initial claim based on your historical wages.

got it thanks

Definitely planning to start job hunting right away. Just want to know what income I can count on while I'm looking.

Smart approach. Having that financial cushion takes some pressure off so you can be more selective about job opportunities.

I'm planning to file tomorrow morning. Is there a best time of day or does it matter?

Early morning or late evening seem to work best when their system isn't as busy. Avoid lunch time and right after 5pm.

That's a good point about saving on work expenses. Every bit helps when you're not working.

Tell your husband to file ASAP. Even if it's not a lot, it's better than nothing and buys time to find a good job instead of taking the first thing that comes along.

Good point about the time limit. Hopefully I'll find something before then but it's good to know the max.

26 weeks goes by faster than you think when you're job hunting. start looking immediately even while filing your claim

Washington ESD uses direct deposit or a debit card (ReliaCard). No paper checks anymore. If you don't have a bank account, you'll get the debit card which works at ATMs and stores.

Thanks! Is there any fee for using the debit card?

Some transactions have fees, like ATM withdrawals at certain machines. You get a few free transactions per month. Direct deposit to a bank account is always free if you decide to open one.

You're right, I'm probably overthinking this. Just need to get the ball rolling.

Exactly. The hardest part is usually just getting through the initial application process without any issues.

That's before taxes. If you elect to have 10% federal tax withheld, you'd get $899 deposited.

ok thanks for clarifying. definitely going to have them withhold taxes then

Pending usually means they're verifying your employment or wages with your former employer. Could also be an issue with your work separation that needs to be adjudicated. Have you received any correspondence from Washington ESD asking for additional information?

Nothing in the mail and nothing in my online account. Should I be worried that my employer is fighting the claim?

Not necessarily. Sometimes it just takes time for them to get wage information from employers. But if you're concerned, try to get through to someone at Washington ESD to check on your claim status.

What are the job search requirements? How many jobs do I need to apply to?

You need to make 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log. Can be applications, networking, interviews, etc. Just document everything.

And register with WorkSource Washington if you haven't already. It's required for most people.

Good to know I have that option if needed. I'll make sure to keep my pay stubs handy.

The appeal process can take months though, so hopefully your calculation is correct from the start.

A couple people mentioned that service. Is it legit? I'm always skeptical of third-party services for government stuff.

Yeah it's real. They basically just get you connected to an actual Washington ESD agent faster. Saved me tons of time when I had questions about my weekly benefit amount.

This is why I used Claimyr when I had issues. Worth every penny to actually get through to someone who can help.

Seems like everyone's mentioning this Claimyr service. Must actually work if people keep bringing it up.

Yeah I worked the same job for 3 years so no employment gaps. Thanks for the estimate, that matches what I was thinking.

That sounds about right for someone in your income range. Should be enough to cover basic expenses while you job hunt.

I was unemployed for about 6 weeks between jobs in early 2024. Will that hurt my benefit amount?

It might if that gap fell during what would have been your highest earning quarter. But they use actual quarters worked, so it depends on the timing.

Good advice! A lot of people don't think about that until tax time. You can also make quarterly estimated tax payments if you want to avoid a big bill at the end of the year.

Wait, do you have to pay state taxes on unemployment too or just federal?

Washington doesn't have state income tax, so just federal taxes on unemployment benefits. Lucky us!

Right now there are no federal extension programs active. You get 26 weeks of state benefits and that's it unless unemployment rates rise significantly. Focus on your job search and consider retraining programs through WorkSource if you're having trouble finding work in your field.

That's scary. I've been applying everywhere but not getting many interviews. Maybe I should look into those retraining programs.

I feel you. Got an overpayment notice for $2,400 that makes no sense. Trying to appeal but can't get anyone on the phone to explain how they calculated it.

Both of you should try Claimyr if you need to talk to Washington ESD about your overpayment issues. They're really good at getting people connected to agents who can actually help with complex problems like appeals and overpayments.

Is that the phone service someone mentioned earlier? Might be worth trying at this point.

Definitely, I'm already updating my resume and plan to start applying aggressively. Just want to make sure I can pay rent while I'm searching.

Smart approach. Having that safety net takes some pressure off so you can be more selective about the jobs you apply for.

That's good to know. I'd rather find something in my field than take a big step backward if possible.

Just make sure you understand the specific rules about what constitutes suitable work. It gets more flexible the longer you're unemployed.

That's really reassuring to hear. Did you have any issues with the application process or did it go smoothly?

Pretty smooth actually. Just make sure you have all your employment history and wage info ready when you apply. The more accurate you are upfront, the less likely you'll have delays.

That gives me hope! I did work some overtime, especially during busy seasons.

overtime definitely helps with the calculation since it all counts toward your quarterly wages

Oh I didn't know about that. So even if I file immediately, I won't get paid for the first week?

Exactly. You still have to file that week and meet all requirements, but no payment is issued for week 1.

the waiting week is such bs honestly. when you're already stressed about money why make people wait even longer

That's a good idea. I'd rather know the exact amount than keep guessing.

Yeah, and they can also tell you if all your employers properly reported your wages to Washington ESD, which sometimes they don't.

Good to know! I was thinking about doing some Uber driving to make ends meet.

you can still do it but just make sure to report it accurately on your weekly claims or you could get in trouble for overpayment later

Correct, Washington ESD eliminated dependency allowances several years ago. It's just based on your wage history now.

thanks for confirming. i thought they used to have that but wasn't sure if it was still a thing

Yeah that's about what I was expecting after doing some rough math. Thanks everyone for the help figuring this out!

good luck with your claim! the whole process is frustrating but you'll get through it

Will do! I've heard horror stories about people missing weeks and having to fight to get them back.

exactly. washington esd is pretty strict about the weekly filing deadlines so don't risk it

Yeah that makes sense. I'm already looking at what expenses I can cut to make it work on less income.

Food banks and utility assistance programs can help stretch your unemployment benefits further if money gets tight.

I'll make sure to set a reminder to file every week. Thanks for that tip!

The weekly claim filing opens up Sunday mornings at 6 AM and you have until the following Saturday to submit it.

I used it a few times and it worked okay for basic weekly claims. Still had to use the website for more complex stuff though.

I'll probably stick with the website to start with since I'm not sure what complications might come up.

Someone else mentioned that service earlier. Good to hear another positive experience with it.

How much does something like that cost? I'm trying to keep expenses down while job hunting.

It's reasonable for what you get - having someone handle all the calling and waiting for you. Check out claimyr.com for details.

26 weeks should be plenty of time to find something. I'm pretty skilled at warehouse work so hopefully won't take that long.

Don't underestimate how tough the job market can be. I thought I'd find something in a month and it took 4. Use the full benefit period if you need to.

Good advice, I'll try online first. Do I need any specific documents from my employer?

Not usually, but having your last paystub handy can help if they ask for wage verification. Washington ESD gets most wage info directly from employers.

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep that in mind if I run into problems. Hopefully I won't need it but good to know it's there.

Yeah I was skeptical about paying for something like that but it really did save me weeks of frustration. Sometimes the system just doesn't work the way it's supposed to.