How much does unemployment pay out in Washington state?

That's helpful! So with my salary I'd probably be looking at around $500-600 per week? That would actually cover most of my essential expenses.

Yeah that sounds about right for your income level. Just remember you'll need to pay taxes on unemployment benefits too.

Honestly I tried using that calculator and it was super confusing. The numbers never seemed to match what I actually got approved for.

The calculator gives you an estimate but your actual amount might be different based on how they verify your wages with employers.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's this service that helps you get through to ESD agents - they have some system that gets you connected without waiting hours. Check out claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that before. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legit - I used it last month when I had questions about my weekly claim. Got connected to an ESD rep in like 15 minutes instead of calling all day.

Wow that's a really good amount! Did you have to do anything special or was it pretty straightforward?

Pretty straightforward, just had to do the job search stuff every week and file my weekly claims on time. Make sure you keep good records of your job applications.

That's true - unemployment is meant to be temporary assistance, not full salary replacement. The goal is to help you get by while job searching.

yeah but try telling that to someone with a mortgage and kids when theyre only getting $400 a week

If you filed in January 2025, your base period would be January 2024 through September 2024. If you don't have enough wages in that period, they might use an alternate base period with more recent quarters.

Oh that makes sense. I started my job in March 2024 so I should have enough quarters then.

Very true. The maximum benefit amount gets adjusted each year based on the state's average weekly wage, but it doesn't always keep up with housing costs.

I'm in Spokane so cost of living is a bit lower here thankfully. $600 a week would actually go pretty far.

Standby status doesn't change your weekly benefit amount - you get the same rate as regular UI. The difference is you don't have to do job search activities while on standby.

Good to know! I was worried they'd pay me less since I'm not actively looking for work.

Maximum is 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits, but that can vary based on the unemployment rate. During high unemployment periods sometimes there are extensions available.

26 weeks gives me some breathing room at least. Hopefully I'll find something before then.

exactly... they dont want people getting too comfortable on benefits

It's supposed to be a temporary safety net, not a permanent solution. But I agree the amounts can feel pretty tight when you have significant expenses.

How much does that service cost? I might need to try it if I run into issues with my claim.

I don't want to get into pricing details but it was worth it for me to actually get answers instead of calling Washington ESD all day with no luck.

Yes, any earnings need to be reported on your weekly claim. Generally you can earn up to your weekly benefit amount before they start reducing your UI payment, but there are specific rules about how they calculate the reduction.

Thanks! I'll make sure to report everything accurately. Don't want to get in trouble for not reporting income.

Correct - Washington eliminated the waiting week in 2023. You can get benefits starting from your first week of unemployment as long as you're eligible.

That's good news! Every week counts when you're out of work.

Benefit amounts are based on individual earnings history, not where you work. If you were making more money or worked more hours during your base period, you'll get a higher weekly amount.

Ah that makes sense. I was full time and she was part time, plus I had more overtime hours.

True, Washington is definitely on the higher end for unemployment benefits. The $999 maximum is pretty decent compared to other states.

Good perspective. I should be grateful for what I can get while I'm looking for work.

Like I mentioned earlier, mine was pretty off. The calculator said around $600 but I actually got approved for $520.

It's just an estimate based on the information you provide. Your actual amount depends on wage verification from employers and other factors the calculator doesn't account for.

So true! The weekly claim filing is pretty straightforward once you get used to it though.

Yeah the routine becomes second nature after a few weeks. Just can't forget to do it or you lose that week's benefits.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! Sounds like it's definitely worth applying if I end up needing it.

Definitely file right away if you become unemployed. There's no benefit to waiting and you want to get the process started as soon as possible.

That's really good advice about having documentation ready! I'm still hoping I won't need to file but if I do, I'll make sure to gather all my pay stubs and tax documents first. The consistent earnings point is interesting too - I've been at the same job for 2 years so hopefully that works in my favor for the calculation.

Great point about having documentation ready! I learned this the hard way when I first applied - they asked for additional wage verification and it delayed my approval by almost two weeks because I had to track down old pay stubs. Having everything organized upfront definitely makes the process smoother. And yes, steady employment history usually helps with getting a higher benefit amount since they're looking at your highest earning quarters.

This is really helpful advice! I'm actually in a similar situation to the original poster - making around $60k and wondering about potential benefits. The documentation tip is especially useful since I tend to be disorganized with paperwork. Quick question - do they accept digital pay stubs or do they need physical copies? Most of my recent pay stubs are just downloaded PDFs from our HR portal.

Digital pay stubs should be fine! When I applied last year, I uploaded PDFs of my pay stubs directly through their online portal and didn't have any issues. The ESD system accepts most common file formats like PDF, JPG, etc. Just make sure the documents are clear and show all the important info like your name, employer, pay period dates, and gross wages. Having everything digital actually made it easier to upload during the application process rather than having to scan physical copies.

Another tip for gathering documentation - if you've changed jobs recently or had multiple employers during your base period, make sure to get wage statements from ALL of them. I made the mistake of only providing info from my most recent job and it delayed my claim because they needed complete earnings history. ESD will verify wages with all your employers anyway, but having everything upfront speeds things up. Also, if you're worried about your employer contesting the claim, don't let that stop you from filing - you have rights and can appeal if needed.

This is all really solid advice! I just went through the unemployment application process a couple months ago and wish I had seen these tips beforehand. One thing I'd add is to also keep records of your job search activities from day one, even before you file your first weekly claim. Washington requires you to make at least 3 job search contacts per week, and having a system in place early makes those weekly certifications much less stressful. I use a simple spreadsheet to track company names, positions applied for, dates, and contact methods. It's saved me so much time when filling out the weekly claims.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone who might need to file soon, I really appreciate all the practical advice. One question about the job search requirements - does volunteer work count toward those 3 weekly contacts, or does it have to be actual job applications? I do some volunteer work that could potentially lead to paid opportunities and wondering if that helps fulfill the requirement while I'm also applying to regular jobs.

Great thread with lots of useful info! I'd add that it's also worth keeping track of any training programs or workshops you attend while unemployed. Washington ESD recognizes approved training as meeting work search requirements in some cases, and it can actually strengthen your employment prospects. Things like LinkedIn Learning courses, industry certifications, or workforce development programs through local colleges might count. Just make sure to check with ESD first to confirm if specific training qualifies. Also, networking events and job fairs definitely count as valid job search activities, so don't overlook those opportunities - they're often more effective than just online applications anyway.

This is such valuable information! I'm currently employed but my company has been doing layoffs and I want to be prepared just in case. The tip about gathering documentation from ALL employers during the base period is especially important - I had a brief stint at another company about 18 months ago before my current job, so I'll need to make sure I have those records too. Quick question about the job search tracking - do you need to keep physical proof of applications (like screenshots) or is just logging the details in a spreadsheet sufficient for the weekly claims?

For the job search tracking, you don't necessarily need physical proof like screenshots for every application, but it's definitely smart to keep some documentation when possible. ESD can audit your job search activities, so having more detailed records helps if they ever question your compliance. I usually save confirmation emails from online applications and take quick screenshots of job postings I apply to. For networking events or informational interviews, I keep business cards or write down contact names and dates. A detailed spreadsheet with company names, job titles, application methods, and dates is usually sufficient for the weekly claims, but having backup documentation gives you peace of mind. Better to over-document than get caught short during an audit!

This is incredibly thorough advice! I'm bookmarking this thread just in case. The point about keeping documentation from multiple employers is something I wouldn't have thought of - I had three different jobs in the past two years due to some industry changes, so I'll definitely need to track down those old W-2s and pay stubs. One thing I'm curious about - if you're laid off but given a severance package, does that affect when you can start collecting benefits or how much you receive? My company offers severance but I've heard mixed things about how that impacts unemployment eligibility.