How much does unemployment pay in Washington state - need to know what to expect

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount using your highest quarter of earnings from your base period. They take your total wages from that quarter and divide by 26. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999 per week. So if you made $52k annually, you're probably looking at somewhere around $450-550 per week depending on how your wages were distributed throughout the year.

The exact formula is a bit more complicated than that. Washington ESD uses your base period which is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. They look at your highest quarter and lowest quarter, do some calculations with those amounts. You can get an estimate on the Washington ESD website before you file your claim.

Just a heads up - the actual process of getting your benefits can be really frustrating. I spent weeks trying to get through to Washington ESD on the phone to get my claim status figured out. If you run into issues reaching them, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

ugh the whole system is so confusing. i filed 3 weeks ago and still haven't gotten my first payment. my claim says approved but no money yet. anyone else dealing with this?

The maximum weekly benefit amount for 2025 is $999, but most people don't get that much. The average weekly benefit in Washington is around $520. Your amount depends on your wage history during the base period. Keep in mind you'll also need to meet the job search requirements - 3 job search activities per week unless you're on standby with your employer.

I hate how they make it so complicated. Why can't they just tell you upfront how much you'll get instead of all these calculations and base periods??

One thing to keep in mind is that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly benefits or pay them later when you file your tax return. I'd recommend having them withheld so you don't get hit with a big tax bill next year.

Does anyone know if they've increased the benefit amounts recently? I collected unemployment back in 2022 and feel like the amounts were lower then.

This is all really helpful, thanks everyone. Sounds like I should expect around $400-500 per week based on my salary. That'll cover most of my essential expenses while I job hunt.

Make sure you understand the difference between your weekly benefit amount and what you actually receive. If you have any deductions like child support or previous overpayments, those come out of your weekly amount.

Another thing - if you run into any issues with your claim or need to talk to Washington ESD about your benefit amount calculation, don't waste time trying to call. I mentioned Claimyr earlier and they really saved me when I had questions about my weekly benefit amount. Much easier than sitting on hold for hours.

Pro tip: when you file your weekly claims, make sure you answer all the questions accurately. If you work any hours or earn any money that week, report it. Better to be honest upfront than deal with an overpayment notice later.

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator that's pretty accurate. You just need your gross wages for each quarter of your base period. It'll give you an estimate of your weekly benefit amount before you file your claim.

Just remember that unemployment is temporary assistance, not a permanent solution. The job search requirements are there for a reason. Stay active in your job search and hopefully you won't need benefits for too long.

One more thing about the benefit amount - it can seem like a lot compared to what you expect, but remember it's only for a maximum of 26 weeks in most cases. So budget accordingly and don't assume you'll have that income for a full year.

does the amount change if you have dependents? i have two kids and wondering if that affects the weekly benefit

The whole process seems overwhelming but it's really not that bad once you get started. The hardest part is usually just getting your initial claim approved and understanding all the requirements.

I collected unemployment last year and the weekly amount was definitely helpful in covering my basic expenses. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week - if you miss a week you can't go back and file it later.

If anyone's having trouble getting through to Washington ESD for questions about their benefit calculations, I had good luck with Claimyr too. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get things sorted out properly.

The benefit amount might seem low compared to your regular salary, but remember it's meant to be temporary assistance while you look for work. Focus on your job search and hopefully you'll be back to full pay soon.

Thanks for asking this question OP - I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been really informative. Good luck with your claim and job search!