How much is unemployment benefit amount in Washington ESD 2024?

Thanks! That helps a lot. I think my highest quarter was probably around $9,000 so I'm guessing I'd get somewhere around $133 per week?

That sounds about right for your earnings level. You can check your exact base period wages by logging into your SecureAccess Washington account once you file your claim.

Thanks! Do you know if they count overtime pay in those calculations? I had quite a bit of overtime last year.

Yes, all wages including overtime count toward your base period earnings. Make sure Washington ESD has accurate wage records from your employer.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone, I had success using Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to ESD agents without waiting on hold forever. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration trying to call myself.

never heard of that but might check it out, calling ESD directly is impossible most days

I used Claimyr too when I needed help with my adjudication issue. Way better than spending all day redialing the main number. You can find them at claimyr.com

Thanks! So with $52k annually that would be roughly $1000 per week gross, so maybe around $600-700 weekly benefit?

That sounds about right, but Washington ESD looks at your quarterly wages not annual. Check your wages from the highest quarter in your base period for a more accurate estimate.

So if my highest quarter was around $14,000 that would be about $538 per week? That seems pretty good actually.

Yes that sounds about right. Just remember you still have to meet the job search requirements and file your weekly claims on time.

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $13,500, that would be about $520 per week?

That sounds about right. You can also use the benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website to get an estimate.

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $15,000, that would be about $560 per week?

That math looks right. You can also use the benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website to get an exact estimate.

Good point about taxes. Do they automatically take taxes out or do I need to request that?

You can request federal tax withholding when you file your weekly claims. I think it's 10% federal tax withholding. Washington doesn't have state income tax so you don't worry about that part.

Thanks! So if I made about $12,600 in my highest quarter that would be around $484 per week? That seems reasonable.

Yes, that sounds about right. Just remember you also need to meet the minimum earnings requirement across your entire base period, not just one quarter.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents automatically. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Really? Does it actually work? I'm so frustrated with trying to reach them.

Yeah, it worked for me. Got connected within an hour instead of calling all day. Worth trying if you need to talk to someone about your specific situation.

That sounds about right. I was making similar and got around $650 weekly when I was laid off earlier this year.

That would help a lot. How long did it take for your claim to get approved?

Mine took about 3 weeks but I had some adjudication issues they had to review first.

Did you have any issues with wage verification? I'm worried some of my employers might not have reported correctly.

No issues for me, but if there are problems Washington ESD will contact you during the adjudication process to get additional documentation.

How does that work exactly? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days about my benefit amount and keep getting busy signals.

Basically they handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when they get an agent on the line. Saved me hours of sitting on hold.

Interesting, might have to try that if I can't get through the normal way. The phone system is ridiculous right now.

Yeah but you have to have made really good money to qualify for the max amount. Most people get way less than that.

True, the average benefit in Washington is probably closer to $450-500 per week from what I've seen.

I looked but couldn't find an estimate tool. Maybe it's only available after you start the application?

There used to be a benefit calculator but I think they removed it. Now you only see your actual amount after filing and it's processed.

That's really helpful to know! How long did it take Washington ESD to process your claim?

About 3 weeks, but I had to call them twice to check on the status. Their phone system is brutal.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone, I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an agent faster. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

I get the frustration but the calculation method is actually pretty straightforward once you understand it. It's based on your work history to make sure people who worked more get higher benefits.

maybe but try explaining that to someone whos never dealt with unemployment before, the whole base period thing is confusing

Is there a calculator somewhere to figure this out more precisely?

Washington ESD doesn't have a public calculator, but you can estimate by taking your highest quarter earnings, dividing by 13, then multiplying by 0.6. That gives you a rough idea.

The COVID pandemic programs like PUA ended in 2021. Regular unemployment benefits in 2024 follow the normal Washington state formula.

ok thanks for clarifying that

How does that work exactly? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days with no luck.

Basically they call Washington ESD for you and get you connected to a live agent. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

That actually sounds really helpful. The phone system at Washington ESD is impossible to navigate.

Good point! I definitely want to avoid a big tax bill next year. Can you change the withholding after you've already started filing?

Yes, you can update your tax withholding preferences in your online account or when you file your weekly claims.

This is so important! I got hit with a $2,000 tax bill because I didn't withhold anything during my unemployment period.

Yeah the wage requirements changed recently. You need wages in at least two quarters of your base period too, not just the total amount.

Good to know about the two quarter requirement. I've been at the same job for 3 years so that shouldn't be an issue.

Which quarters did you use? I'm still confused about the base period calculation.

they use the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters. so if you file in january 2024, they look at jul-sep 2023, apr-jun 2023, jan-mar 2023, oct-dec 2022

Correct, the 2024 rates are higher than 2023. The calculation is still the same formula though - it's based on your quarterly wages during the base period.

What's the base period exactly? I keep seeing that term but don't understand it.

Base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you file in December 2024, your base period would be July 2023 through June 2024.

Oh no, what's taking so long with your claim?

They said it's under adjudication for 'identity verification' but I sent all my documents weeks ago. Can't get anyone on the phone to explain what's happening.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - they helped me get through to an agent when my claim was stuck in adjudication. Worth checking out if you're getting nowhere with regular calling.

That's helpful to know! Did you have any issues with your claim approval or did it go smoothly?

Mine went pretty smooth, took about 2 weeks to get approved. Just had to do the usual job search requirements.

How much does something like that cost? I'm trying to save money obviously since I might be unemployed soon.

They focus on just getting you connected quickly rather than charging a lot. Way better than sitting on hold for hours and getting disconnected.

Interesting, never heard of that before. Did they actually help resolve your questions about benefit amounts?

Yeah, the Washington ESD agent was able to look at my wage records and give me an exact calculation on the spot.

I had the same problem until I discovered Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to ESD agents by handling the calling for you. Check out claimyr.com - they even have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Try calling right at 8am when they open, that's when I had the best luck getting through

This is really helpful, thank you. So they don't just look at my most recent pay stubs?

No, they use quarterly wage reports that employers submit to the state. Make sure all your employers reported your wages correctly or it could affect your benefit amount.

What exactly counts as job search activities? Do I need to apply to a certain number of jobs per week?

Currently it's 3 job search activities per week. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or completing WorkSource workshops.

Make sure you keep detailed records of your job search activities! Washington ESD can audit this and if you can't prove you were searching, they'll make you pay back benefits.

Washington ESD gets wage reports from employers quarterly, but contract/1099 work usually isn't included unless you paid into unemployment insurance as self-employed. You might need to provide tax records.

That's what I was afraid of. Most of my contract work was 1099 so I probably won't qualify for as much as I thought.

I understand the frustration but the benefit amount is directly tied to your earnings history. Higher earners do get more, up to the maximum.

Yeah but that maximum is way too low for people who were making decent wages. $999 a week doesn't go far when you were making $2000+ a week.

True, but it's meant to be temporary assistance while you find new work, not full wage replacement.

What if you haven't worked a full year? Like if someone just started working 6 months ago?

If you don't have enough wages in your base period, you might not qualify for regular unemployment benefits. Washington ESD requires wages in at least 2 quarters of your base period and total wages of at least 680 hours at minimum wage.

That makes sense, thanks for explaining!

Close but not exactly. In Washington, you can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit amount without any reduction. After that, they deduct your earnings minus that 25% allowance from your weekly benefit.

ok that sounds right, i just knew there was some kind of limit where they start taking money away

Good point, I definitely meet that requirement though.

Actually it's a bit more complex - you need $3,900 total AND earnings in at least two quarters of your base year.

Yes, Washington ESD reduces your weekly benefit if you earn money while collecting. Generally they subtract your earnings from your weekly benefit amount, but there's a small earnings disregard.

So if I made $100 in freelance work, they'd subtract that from my weekly benefit? That doesn't seem worth it then.

Not exactly. There's usually an earnings disregard of around 25% of your weekly benefit amount. So some earnings won't affect your benefits at all.

Oh man, I didn't think about taxes. Can you have them withhold taxes from the weekly payments?

Yes, you can request 10% federal tax withholding when you file your weekly claims. Washington doesn't have state income tax so you only worry about federal.

wish i had done that. ended up owing like $1200 in taxes

Good point! I forgot about taxes. So that $600-700 estimate would be before taxes.

yeah i learned that the hard way last year, owed like $1200 at tax time because i didnt have taxes withheld

I know right? Their website is terrible. Half the links don't work and the other half take you to pages that don't have what you need.

This is exactly why I couldn't get answers and had to keep calling. Their online stuff is useless.

yeah the website is terrible, half the links dont even work

The information is there but it's definitely not user-friendly. The key is understanding your base period dates and which quarters count.

Regular unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks in Washington. The extended benefits from the pandemic (like the extra weeks and extra $600/$300) ended in 2021. Now it's back to the standard 26 weeks maximum.

Got it, 26 weeks makes sense. Hopefully I won't need it but good to know what to expect.

Yes it's still 3 job search activities per week for most claimants. You need to log them in WorkSource and keep records in case of an audit.

ok good to know thanks

You need to have earned at least $1,294 in your base period to qualify. With only 3 months of