How much does unemployment pay in Washington state?

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $12,600, that would be about $480 per week? That's actually better than I expected.

Yeah that sounds right. I was making similar and got $465 weekly when I filed last year.

Thanks! So they don't just look at your most recent pay? That's confusing but maybe good for me since I was working more hours last summer.

Yeah the calculation is weird but it usually works out better than you think. Just make sure you have all your work history ready when you file.

what kind of job search activities count? just applying for jobs or do they want other stuff too

Applying counts, but you can also do things like attending job fairs, networking events, skills training, or even just researching employers. They're pretty flexible as long as you document 3 activities each week.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr - it's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents by phone. They have this system that keeps calling until someone picks up. Check out claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Interesting, never heard of that before. Did you actually use it or just heard about it?

Used it twice - once for initial filing questions and once when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.

So it's based on what I earned before? That's good to know. Do you know if they look at the whole year or just certain quarters?

They use your base period which is usually the first four of the last five completed quarters before you filed. So if you file now, they'd look at your earnings from early 2024 through late 2024.

Thanks! So it's based on quarterly earnings not annual? That's confusing but helpful to know.

yeah the quarterly thing trips everyone up at first. your base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file

That's way more than I expected! Do you know how long you can collect benefits?

Standard unemployment insurance gives you up to 26 weeks of benefits, but during high unemployment periods the state sometimes extends it. Right now it's the regular 26 weeks.

That would actually help a lot! Do you know if they take out taxes automatically or do I need to request that?

You can request 10% federal tax withholding when you file your weekly claims. It's optional but recommended unless you want a big tax bill next year.

I learned this the hard way - definitely have them withhold taxes! Owed like $1200 at tax time because I didn't think about it.

The job search requirement is 3 work search activities per week. You need to keep a log and they can audit it anytime. It's not that hard if you stay on top of it.

What counts as a work search activity? I've been unemployed for 2 weeks and already running out of places to apply.

Job applications, networking events, career fairs, informational interviews, even some online career training courses can count. Check the Washington ESD website for the full list.

That's actually better than I expected! Is there a calculator somewhere to estimate what I might get?

Washington ESD has a benefit calculator on their website, but it's pretty basic. Your exact amount won't be known until you actually apply and they process your claim.

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

Yeah it worked for me. Got connected to an agent in like 20 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks on my own. Saved me so much frustration honestly.

Thanks! So if I made about $37,000 last year that would be around $27 per week? That seems really low...

No, you're calculating it wrong. It's 3.85% of your base period wages divided by 52. So $37,000 x 0.0385 = $1,424.50 divided by 52 = about $27 per week. Wait, that does seem off. Let me double check the formula.

The formula is actually much more complicated than that. Washington ESD looks at your highest earning quarter in your base period and uses that to determine your weekly benefit amount. For someone making $18/hour full time, you'd probably get somewhere between $400-600 per week depending on your exact earnings pattern.

Thanks! So it's not just based on my most recent job? They look at a whole quarter?

Exactly. They look at your base period which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. So if you had other jobs during that time, those wages count too.

Thanks! So it's based on quarterly earnings, not annual salary? That makes more sense.

Yeah and don't forget the minimum is $295 per week if you qualify at all

What are the job search requirements? Do I have to apply to a certain number of jobs each week?

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep records. Washington ESD can audit your job search log at any time.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I was having the same problem getting through to Washington ESD and found this service at claimyr.com that actually got me connected to an agent. There's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Never heard of that but honestly at this point I'll try anything. The regular phone lines are impossible.

Claimyr actually worked for me too when I needed to check on my adjudication status. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Is that legit? I've been worried about getting scammed with all these unemployment services out there.

Yeah it's real, claimyr.com is their site. They just help you get connected to actual ESD staff, they don't ask for your personal info or anything sketchy.

Adjudication can take 4-6 weeks unfortunately, especially if there are any complications with your work history or reason for separation. Did you quit or get laid off?

Got laid off due to company downsizing. No issues on my end but Washington ESD is still reviewing everything apparently.

Same boat here. Been waiting 5 weeks for adjudication to finish. Really wish I could talk to someone about what's taking so long.

I don't have kids but that's good to know for other people reading this.

wait really? I have 2 kids and didn't know about the extra money! How do I get that added to my claim?

You need to report your dependents when you file your initial claim. If you already filed, you might be able to add them by calling ESD or using their online system.

That's a good point. Having some income coming in would definitely reduce the pressure to take a bad job just to pay bills.

That sounds about right for that salary level. Did you have to wait long for your claim to get processed?

Mine took about 3 weeks because they had to verify my employment with my previous employer. No adjudication issues thankfully.

It's not quite 60% - that's a common misconception. The actual calculation is more complex and depends on your quarterly wages during the base period.

oh ok thanks for clarifying

I got laid off because the restaurant is cutting hours due to slow business, so I think I should be okay on that front.

Yeah that should qualify you for benefits. Just make sure you file as soon as possible because there's usually a waiting week before benefits start.

Good point about part-time work. I was thinking about picking up some gig work to supplement but didn't know it would affect benefits.

You can earn up to your weekly benefit amount minus $5 before they start reducing your UI payment. So if your benefit is $400, you can earn up to $395 without any reduction.

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs or other stuff too?

Applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, career counseling sessions, skills training. There's a list on the WorkSourceWA website of what qualifies.

I hate the job search requirement tracking. Such a pain to log everything but they will audit you randomly.

Good reminder! You can elect to have 10% federal taxes withheld when you file your weekly claims. Definitely recommend doing that to avoid a big tax bill later.

Learned this the hard way. Owed like $1,800 at tax time because I didn't elect withholding. Make sure to check that box!

That's helpful to know! How long did it take for your claim to get approved?

took about 2 weeks but i had to call them like 10 times to get through. their phone system is awful

Pending usually means your claim is in adjudication. That can take several weeks while they verify your employment and separation reasons. You should eventually get backpay for all the weeks you were eligible.

several weeks?? i need money now, not in several weeks. this is ridiculous

Oh that's helpful! I'll look for that on their website. Thanks for the tip.

How long can you collect benefits for? Is it still 26 weeks max?

Yeah it's 26 weeks for regular unemployment. Sometimes they extend it during recessions but right now it's the standard 26 weeks.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I found out about it when I was having similar issues reaching Washington ESD. It's a service that helps you get through to an actual agent. Check out claimyr.com - they even have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Never heard of that but honestly at this point I'm willing to try anything. The regular Washington ESD phone system is completely broken.

I used Claimyr last week after seeing someone mention it here. Actually got connected to a Washington ESD agent in under 10 minutes instead of the usual 2+ hour wait. Worth checking out if you're stuck.

I tried using that calculator and it kept giving me error messages. Has anyone actually gotten it to work properly?

Yeah the website calculator is trash. I ended up using Claimyr to get through to an actual person at Washington ESD who could tell me my exact benefit amount. Way easier than trying to figure it out myself. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

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

It's actually $24 per dependent child for 2025, up to 5 children max. Just wanted to clarify the exact amount.

How does that service work exactly? I hate dealing with phone trees and hold times.

Basically they handle the calling and connecting part for you. You don't have to sit on hold or keep redialing. Super straightforward to use.

Oh no I didn't think about taxes! So I'd actually get even less money than the weekly benefit amount?