How much does unemployment pay in Washington state - what should I expect?

That seems really low compared to what I'm making now. Is there any way to get more?

Unfortunately no, that's just how the formula works. It's designed to replace about 50% of your average weekly wage, but there are caps.

Are you stuck in adjudication? That's usually what causes the long delays. Check your account to see if there are any issues that need to be resolved.

it just says pending, no adjudication flag or anything. so frustrating

Never heard of that, is it legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my benefit calculation.

Yeah it's totally legit, I was skeptical too but it actually worked. Got connected to an ESD rep within like 20 minutes instead of spending hours getting busy signals.

How long did it take to get your first payment? I'm worried about covering rent if there are delays.

Mine took about 2 weeks from filing to first payment, but this was last year. I hear it's taking longer now.

What counts as a job search activity? I've been applying online but wasn't sure what else to do.

Online applications count, but you can also do things like attending job fairs, networking events, or career workshops. Just make sure to log everything in WorkSourceWA.

The system has definitely been overwhelmed, but most claims do eventually get processed. The key is making sure you don't have any issues that require adjudication.

easy for you to say, my bills don't care about 'eventually

How much did it cost? I'm already tight on money waiting for benefits to start.

I'd rather not get into specific costs here, but it was worth it to actually get answers instead of calling 50 times a day.

How can I check which quarters they're using for my base period?

You can see it in your account on the Washington ESD website, or call them if you can get through. That's where Claimyr helped me actually.

yeah my cousin got like $850/week but he was making bank at microsoft before he got laid off

Makes sense, the tech workers definitely get higher amounts than the rest of us.

Make sure you file your weekly claims on time and keep up with the job search requirements. Missing deadlines can delay or stop your payments.

Thanks for the reminder! When do I need to start filing weekly claims?

You should get instructions after your claim is processed, usually within a week or two of filing your initial claim.

You can appeal overpayment notices if you think it's wrong. You have 30 days from the notice date to file an appeal. Don't ignore it though.

I tried calling Washington ESD to understand why they think I was overpaid but can't get through to anyone.

This is exactly the kind of situation where Claimyr helped me. I had an overpayment issue and needed to talk to someone who could actually explain what happened.

I feel you on this. The whole process is way too complicated and the phone system is useless.

exactly! and good luck trying to talk to a human being who can actually help

This is really helpful! So if I made $12,000 in my best quarter, I'd get around $178 per week?

That math looks right, but double-check with Washington ESD since there can be other factors that affect the calculation.

Adjudication can take a while, especially if there are questions about your separation from work. Have you checked if you need to provide additional documentation?

i've submitted everything they asked for twice now. the whole system is broken

Yes, unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have 10% federal tax withheld when you file your weekly claims, or pay it all when you file taxes.

Thanks! I'll probably have them withhold it to avoid a big tax bill later.

I have a side gig too, should I be worried about this affecting my benefits?

It depends on how much you made from each job. Washington ESD counts all wages in your base period, but the calculation can get tricky.

I tried that strategy for weeks and never got through. That's when I decided to try Claimyr and actually got connected to someone who could help.

Never heard of that before, might be worth looking into if I have more issues.