How much is unemployment benefit amount Washington ESD 2024 - what should I expect?

Thanks! I'll check out that calculator. Do you know if there's a minimum amount too?

Yes, the minimum weekly benefit amount is $295 for 2024. Most people fall somewhere in between obviously.

Ugh same here! I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days about my benefit amount calculation and can never get through. The phone lines are always jammed.

Have you tried Claimyr? I used their service to get through to Washington ESD last month when I couldn't reach anyone. They have this system that calls for you and connects you when an agent picks up. Check out claimyr.com - there's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that but I'm desperate at this point. Does it actually work?

That would be amazing if it's that much. I was worried it might only be like $300 or something.

dont get your hopes up too high, the system has so many deductions and weird rules

Oh no, what kind of adjudication issues? Should I be worried about that?

They had to verify my employment history with my previous employer. Nothing I did wrong, just their standard process when there are questions about your work history or reason for separation.

Adjudication delays are pretty common unfortunately. The good news is you'll get back pay for all the weeks you were eligible once it's resolved.

That's really helpful to know! Did you have any trouble with the application process?

Filing was pretty straightforward online, but I had issues reaching Washington ESD when I had questions about my job search requirements. That's actually when I used Claimyr - saved me hours of trying to call.

what kind of paperwork problems did you have?

they wanted additional verification of my job separation even though i already provided everything they asked for initially. took 6 weeks to resolve

This is super helpful! So if I was making about $925/week gross, I might get around $460-500?

That sounds about right, but use the official calculator on Washington ESD's website for the most accurate estimate. It takes into account all the specific rules and calculations.

What do you mean by waiting week?

You have to serve a waiting week before you can receive benefits. So your first week of unemployment, you won't get paid for that week even if you're approved.

Actually, Washington eliminated the waiting week a few years ago. You can get paid for your first week of unemployment now.

That gives me hope! Did you have to do anything special during those 3 weeks?

just filed my weekly claims and did the job search stuff. pretty routine

Good point! I hadn't thought about the tax implications. Is it better to have them withhold or pay at the end of the year?

Depends on your situation, but I usually recommend having them withhold 10% for federal taxes so you don't get surprised at tax time.

What are the main requirements I should know about?

you have to apply for at least 3 jobs per week and keep detailed records. plus you might have to register with WorkSource depending on your situation

Yes, Washington allows partial unemployment benefits if your hours are reduced. You can work part-time and still collect benefits, but they'll reduce your weekly amount based on what you earn.

Good to know! Do you know what the earnings threshold is?

This is why I tell everyone about Claimyr now. I wasted so many hours trying to reach Washington ESD the normal way. The service actually works and saved me tons of frustration.

never heard of it but might be worth trying if i have issues again

26 weeks sounds like a decent safety net. Is that automatic or do you have to apply for extensions?

The 26 weeks is standard as long as you continue to meet all the requirements and file your weekly claims on time.

That's encouraging! Did she have any problems with the process?

pretty smooth for her, but she was laid off due to company downsizing so there wasnt any question about eligibility

Absolutely! I'm hoping to find something quickly but it's good to know there's some support available while I search.

When do you typically file the weekly claims? Is there a specific day?

You file for the previous week, and most people file Sunday through Tuesday for the week that just ended. Don't wait too long or you might miss the deadline.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! This gives me a much better idea of what to expect.