How much is Washington ESD unemployment per week - trying to budget

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your highest earning quarter from the last 18 months. For someone making $52k annually, you're probably looking at somewhere between $400-600 per week, but it depends on how your earnings were distributed throughout the year.

That would actually help a lot! My rent is $1200 so that might cover most of my basic expenses.

Don't forget you still have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits. I learned that the hard way last year.

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington is $999 right now, but most people don't get that much. You need to have made around $75,000+ to hit the max.

Good to know! I definitely wasn't making that much so I won't expect the maximum.

Yeah the max is for people in tech or other high-paying industries. Most retail workers get somewhere in the $300-500 range.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to ask about my benefit amount but their phone lines are impossible. Anyone know a better way to reach them?

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Is that legit? I'm so desperate at this point I'll try anything to talk to someone at Washington ESD.

Yeah it's real, I used it last month when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

The formula is basically 3.85% of your total wages from your highest quarter, up to the maximum. So if your best quarter was $15,000, you'd get about $577 per week.

That's really helpful! I think my highest quarter was around $14,000 so that puts me in the right ballpark.

Wait is it 3.85%? I thought it was different than that

It's approximately 3.85% but Washington ESD uses a more complex calculation table. The percentage varies slightly based on your wage level.

Don't forget you can only collect for 26 weeks maximum in Washington, and you have to actively search for work. Keep track of your job applications because they audit that stuff.

Good point about the job search requirement. How many applications do I need to do per week?

You need to make 3 job search activities per week and keep a log. Can be applications, networking events, interviews, etc.

i got $423 per week when i was on unemployment last year. made about $48k the year before. took forever to get my first payment though because of adjudication

How long did adjudication take? I'm worried about that delay.

like 6 weeks for me. was brutal trying to pay bills during that time

The Washington ESD benefit calculator online should give you a pretty accurate estimate if you have your wage information handy. You'll need your quarterly earnings from the past 18 months.

I tried that but I don't have all my old pay stubs. Is there another way to find out my quarterly earnings?

Washington ESD should have your wage records from your employers. When you file your claim, they'll calculate it automatically based on their records.

Just remember unemployment isn't meant to replace your full salary. It's usually about 50-60% of what you were making. Plan accordingly.

Yeah I figured it wouldn't be 100%. Just trying to see if I can survive while job hunting.

Also factor in that you won't get your first payment for at least 2-3 weeks after filing, sometimes longer.

Washington state has one of the higher unemployment benefit amounts compared to other states. The $999 maximum is pretty generous.

True, but the cost of living here is also higher than most places, especially around Seattle.

Yeah my rent alone is more than what some people pay for their whole mortgage in other states.

Make sure you file your claim as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. There's a waiting week but you want to get the process started immediately.

Good advice! I'm planning to file tomorrow morning. Is there a best time to file online?

Early morning or late evening tend to have less traffic on the Washington ESD website. Avoid peak hours.

Been on unemployment twice in the past 5 years. First time got $380/week, second time got $445/week because my wages had gone up. The system is pretty fair once you understand how it works.

That's encouraging to hear! Did you have any issues with your claims or did they go smoothly?

First claim was smooth, second one got held up because they had questions about why I left my job. Eventually got resolved but took extra time.

Pro tip: set up direct deposit when you file your claim. Paper checks take forever and sometimes get lost in the mail.

Definitely doing direct deposit! Can't afford any delays with payments.

Also sign up for text alerts about your claim status. Washington ESD sends useful updates that way.

The amount you get also depends on whether you were fired, laid off, or quit. If you quit without good cause, you might face a disqualification period.

I was laid off due to store closure, so hopefully that won't be an issue for me.

Layoffs are usually straightforward for unemployment eligibility. You should be fine.

Had a friend who used claimyr to get through to Washington ESD when her benefit amount seemed wrong. Turns out they had miscalculated her wages and she was owed more money.

That's good to know there are ways to fix calculation errors if they happen.

Yeah always double-check your benefit determination letter when you get it. Washington ESD makes mistakes sometimes.

Keep in mind you'll need to file weekly claims every week to actually receive your benefits. It's not automatic once you're approved.

When do the weekly claims need to be filed? Is there a deadline each week?

You can file starting Sunday for the previous week, and you have until Saturday night. Don't miss the deadline or you lose that week's benefits.

Washington ESD also offers job training programs that can extend your benefits in some cases. Might be worth looking into if you want to change careers.

Interesting! I might want to get some additional certifications while I'm job searching.

The WorkSource offices have information about training programs. Some are fully funded.

Last thing - make sure you understand the difference between gross and net benefits. The amount Washington ESD tells you is before taxes.

Good point! So I should expect less than the calculated amount after taxes.

Exactly. You can choose to have taxes withheld automatically or pay them later when you file your tax return.

One more thing about reaching Washington ESD - if you do need to call them about your benefit amount, try calling right when they open at 8am. Still hard to get through but better odds than later in the day.

I've tried that and still couldn't get through. The Claimyr service mentioned earlier might be worth it just to save the frustration.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! Feel much more prepared to file my claim now.

Good luck with your claim! The process can be confusing at first but once you get the hang of it, it's pretty straightforward. Just stay on top of your weekly claims and job search requirements.

Appreciate all the support and advice from everyone here. This forum has been incredibly helpful!