How much is unemployment benefit amount in Washington ESD weekly payments?

Thanks! So if I made $15,000 in my highest quarter that would be about $577 per week? That seems pretty good actually.

Yes that's right, but remember you also have to meet the minimum earnings requirement in your base year which is 680 hours at minimum wage or equivalent earnings.

That's really helpful, thank you! So it's based on quarterly earnings not annual salary?

Exactly, they take your highest earning quarter from your base period and use that for the calculation.

Thanks! So if I made around $11,000 in my best quarter, that would be about $325 per week?

That sounds about right, maybe a little less. Washington ESD will send you a monetary determination letter with the exact amount once you file your claim.

Wait so you're getting $844? That's way more than I was expecting. How long did it take for your claim to get approved?

took about 3 weeks because they had to do some verification stuff. had to send in pay stubs and all that

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I used this service called Claimyr that helped me reach an agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Is that legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for two weeks about my benefit calculation and can never get through.

Yeah it worked for me. They basically call on your behalf and get you connected to an agent. Saved me hours of calling and getting disconnected.

That sounds too good to be true but I might try it if I can't get through myself. The phone system is awful.

So if I made $12,600 in my highest quarter, that would be about $485 divided by 26 = around $290 per week?

Close but not quite right. You divide $12,600 by 26 to get $485, then take 60% of that which is about $291 weekly. Plus you might get the additional $25 if you qualify.

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $8,000, I'd get about $307 per week? That seems reasonable for covering basic expenses.

That sounds about right, though remember you have to meet the job search requirements to keep getting benefits.

Thanks! So they look at quarterly earnings not annual? That's confusing but helpful to know.

Yeah the quarterly thing trips everyone up at first. Make sure you have your wage statements ready when you file.

Thanks! So if I made $13,000 in my highest quarter, that would be around $500 per week?

Yes, that sounds about right. You can also use the benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website to get an exact estimate.

So if my highest quarter was around $15,000, I'd get about $288 per week? That seems pretty low compared to what I was making.

Yeah that sounds about right. The benefits are designed to be temporary assistance, not full wage replacement. You can work part-time and still collect some benefits if you report it correctly on your weekly claims.

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $13,500, that would be about $520 divided by 26 times 0.0385? That seems like a weird calculation.

Actually let me correct that - it's your highest quarter divided by 26, then that amount is your WBA (up to the maximum). The 0.0385 factor is for something else. So $13,500 divided by 26 would be about $519 per week.

Thanks! So they don't look at your total annual income, just the highest quarter? That's confusing but good to know.

Yeah the base year thing trips everyone up. It's not the most recent year, it's like 15 months ago to 3 months ago or something weird like that.

The federal pandemic benefits ended in 2021. Regular Washington unemployment is back to the normal calculations based on your earnings history. The $600 federal boost hasn't been available for years now.

oh ok that makes sense why my benefits were lower when I filed this year

The maximum changes every year based on the state's average wage. For 2025 it's $999 per week maximum.

oh ok that makes sense, she probably isn't at the max then

What if you worked part time? Do they still use the same calculation?

That's helpful to know about the base period. I should have decent earnings since I worked overtime a lot.

Wait, I thought it was just the highest quarter divided by 26? Now I'm confused about which calculation is right.

You're right to be confused - I mixed up the calculation. It IS the highest quarter wages divided by 26 weeks. My mistake about adding two quarters.

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com - they help you get through to Washington ESD agents. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and redialing.

That sounds too good to be true. How does it actually work? Do they just keep calling for you or something?

It automates the calling process and gets you connected when an agent is available. Way better than sitting there hitting redial all day. I was able to get my benefit amount corrected after talking to an actual person.

Interesting, never heard of that. Does it actually work for getting through to Washington ESD? I've been trying to call for weeks.

Yeah it worked for me. I was able to get my benefit amount verified and ask about my job search requirements. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

It is frustrating but once you get your monetary determination it'll show exactly how much you qualify for each week.

Oh that makes sense. I started this job in March 2024 so I should have almost a full year of wages to calculate from.

make sure all your employers reported your wages correctly or it will mess up your calculation

Good to know! I might pick up some gig work while job hunting.

Just make sure you report all earnings when you file your weekly claims or you could get hit with an overpayment later.

How long did it take for your claim to get approved? Mine's been in adjudication for two weeks now.

took about 3 weeks total but i had to verify some employment info first

The formula isn't weird, it's just based on your base period which might not include your most recent earnings. That's probably why you got less than expected.

yeah that base period thing screwed me over. my highest paying job wasn't included because it was too recent

Good to know about the minimum! I definitely have more than $7,500 in wages over the past year so I should qualify.

make sure you have all your wage info ready when you file, Washington ESD is really picky about documentation

Same here! I've wasted so much time trying to reach someone at Washington ESD. I finally found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to unemployment offices. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Really? How does that work exactly? I'm desperate at this point because I need to know my exact benefit amount for budgeting.

Basically they handle the calling process for you so you don't have to sit on hold forever. Way easier than spending your whole day redialing Washington ESD.

Ok that makes more sense. I'll gather my pay stubs and try the calculator. Do I need anything else to file?

You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months. Bank routing info if you want direct deposit too.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I discovered it last month when I was having the same problem getting through to Washington ESD. It's a service that helps you actually reach a real person at ESD without all the calling hassle. Check out claimyr.com - they even have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works.

Never heard of that before, does it actually work? I'm desperate at this point.

It worked for me! I was able to get through and resolve my benefit calculation question within a few days instead of spending weeks trying to call.

I tried logging in but my account is acting weird. Do I need to wait until I actually file my claim to see the estimate?

No, you should be able to see your wage history anytime. If you're having trouble with the login, you might need to reset your password or contact Washington ESD.

I've been at the same job for 3 years so I should be good on that front. Do they include bonuses and overtime in the calculation?

Yes, any wages reported to Washington ESD by your employer count, including overtime and bonuses. Make sure your employer reported everything correctly because that's what your benefit calculation is based on.

Oh wow I didn't think about taxes! Should I have them withhold federal taxes from my weekly payments?

It's usually easier to have them withhold 10% for federal taxes rather than deal with quarterly payments later.

The online calculator is just an estimate tool. Your actual benefit amount depends on the exact wages reported by your employer to Washington ESD, which might not match what you think you earned.

yeah i figured that out the hard way

Yes, if you work part-time you need to report all earnings on your weekly claim. Washington ESD will reduce your benefit by a portion of what you earn, but you can still collect partial benefits.

ok good to know, I was worried I'd lose everything if I worked even one day

That's confusing - why don't they use more recent earnings? I got a raise in my last few months of work but that wouldn't count?

It's because they need time to process employer wage reports. You can request an alternate base period if your recent earnings were significantly higher, but you have to prove it with pay stubs.

This is why the system is broken!! They use old earnings that don't reflect what you were actually making when you lost your job. Makes no sense.

The 26 weeks is standard for regular unemployment insurance. If you exhaust your benefits you might qualify for extended benefits during high unemployment periods, but that's not common.

26 weeks is nothing when you're in your 50s and companies don't want to hire older workers. This system is broken.

I'm sorry you're going through that. Hopefully the job market picks up soon.

That's really helpful to know! Sounds like I should expect somewhere in that range too.

Did you have any issues with adjudication or did your payments start right away?

I understand your frustration, but the adjudication process is important to prevent fraud. Have you tried uploading all requested documents through the SecureAccess Washington portal?

Yes I uploaded everything they asked for THREE TIMES and still nothing. This system is broken.

Have you tried calling Washington ESD? I know the wait times are brutal but sometimes you can get through.

Never heard of Claimyr before. Did they charge you for helping get through to Washington ESD?

There's a fee but it was worth it to actually talk to someone instead of wasting days trying to call. The agent explained everything clearly.

Interesting, I might try that. I've called Washington ESD probably 50 times and can never get through.

Oh I didn't know about the taxes! Do they automatically withhold or do I need to request it?

You can request 10% federal withholding when you file your weekly claims. Definitely recommend doing that so you don't owe a big tax bill next year.

Oh no, that's exactly what I'm worried about. Did you eventually get it sorted out?

Yeah eventually, but only after I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to actual Washington ESD agents. They have this automated callback system - you can check it out at claimyr.com. There's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Never heard of that but honestly anything beats sitting on hold for hours just to get disconnected.

Your base year is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim. So if you filed in January 2025, your base year would be October 2023 through September 2024.

That makes no sense to me at all. Why wouldn't they just use your most recent earnings?

It's because they need complete quarter data for the calculation. Sometimes you can use an alternate base year if your regular one doesn't qualify you for benefits.

How much does that cost? I'm trying to save money while I'm unemployed.

It's worth it when you need to get through quickly. Much better than spending all day redialing Washington ESD and never getting connected.

I've heard of this service but haven't tried it yet. Does it actually work for getting through to Washington ESD?

Yeah I'm not expecting to get rich, just need something to cover basic expenses while job hunting.

That's what it's designed for - temporary income replacement while you look for work. Just remember you have to do job search activities and report them weekly.

Good point, I'll file this weekend. Better safe than sorry.

Definitely file soon. I waited two weeks thinking I'd find a job quickly and kicked myself when I realized I lost those two weeks of potential benefits.

Yes, overtime counts as part of your total wages for that quarter. Washington ESD uses all reported wages from your employer, including overtime, bonuses, and commissions.

Good to know! I was worried they might only count regular hours.

Yes, there's a minimum weekly benefit amount of $295 in Washington. But you still need to meet the earnings requirements during your base period to qualify at all.

I was working part time and only qualified for $340 a week, which honestly isn't much but it's better than nothing I guess

How long can you collect? I heard it's 26 weeks max in Washington but not sure if that's still accurate.

Yes, maximum is 26 weeks for regular unemployment. The exact number of weeks depends on your total base period earnings though.

Wait, so if you didn't work much in your base period you might get less than 26 weeks? That's rough.

Good point about the job search requirements. Do I need to submit the log with my weekly claim or just keep it for my records?

You just need to keep it for your records, but Washington ESD can audit it at any time so make sure it's detailed and accurate.

That adjudication wait is brutal. I had the same issue and ended up using Claimyr to finally get through to someone at Washington ESD who could explain what was holding up my case. Turned out they just needed some additional employment verification that nobody had told me about.

How does Claimyr work exactly? Is it expensive?

It's really straightforward - you just tell them what you need help with and they connect you with an actual Washington ESD representative. Way easier than trying to get through on your own.

Oh wow, I didn't think about taxes. Is it worth having them withheld or should I just save money for tax time?

Depends on your situation, but I'd recommend having at least 10% withheld to avoid a big tax bill later.

That's helpful context. Seems like it's roughly 25-30% of what you were making annually?

Yeah, something like that. It's not enough to cover all my expenses but it helps while I'm job searching.

What counts as a job contact? Just applying online or do I need to do more?

Applying online counts, but also networking, attending job fairs, interviews, etc. Keep detailed records with dates, company names, and what type of contact you made.

I got audited last year and they wanted EVERYTHING - printouts of applications, contact names, phone numbers. It was a pain but I had kept good records so it worked out.

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

Interesting, I'll check that out. I'm getting desperate trying to reach someone about my claim status.

Is that legit? Sounds too good to be true that someone can actually get you through to Washington ESD when nobody else can.

Adjudication can take forever unfortunately. I had a similar situation last year and used Claimyr to finally get through to someone who could explain what was holding up my claim.

Did that actually help speed things up or just give you information?

Both actually - they were able to tell me exactly what documents I needed to submit to resolve the adjudication issue.

Yes, bonuses count as wages for the quarter they were paid in. So if you got a bonus in Q4 2024 and that becomes your highest quarter, it will increase your weekly benefit amount.

Awesome, that should bump me up quite a bit then. Thanks!

So even if I find work after 10 weeks, I could potentially file again later in the same benefit year if I lose that job?

Exactly, as long as it's within your benefit year and you haven't used up all 26 weeks of benefits.

I get the frustration but unemployment isn't meant to replace your full salary. It's emergency assistance while you look for new work.

Emergency assistance that takes forever to get and barely covers rent! Meanwhile they expect you to spend 20+ hours a week job searching just to qualify.

The job search requirement is actually 3 job contacts per week in Washington, not 20 hours. Still annoying but not as bad as some states.

Only tips that were reported to Washington ESD count toward your benefit calculation. So if your employer properly reported your tip income, then yes. If they were unreported cash tips, those won't be included.

Ugh that's what I was afraid of. My restaurant was pretty casual about reporting tips.

That makes sense. I worked a lot of overtime in the fall so hopefully that helps my calculation.

overtime definitely counts toward your quarterly earnings so that should boost your weekly benefit amount

How long did the appeal take? I'm thinking mine might be calculated wrong too but don't want to wait months for a decision.

Mine took about 6 weeks but I kept getting my regular benefits while it was pending. The extra money was paid retroactively once approved.

how much does that service cost? might be worth it if it saves time

I'd rather not get into pricing here, but for me it was worth it to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD without the endless hold times.

The benefit amount calculation is the same for standby status, but you don't have to do job searches if you have a definite return date within 4 weeks.

That's a relief about the job search requirement. My employer said probably 3 weeks until we reopen.

Great to hear you got it sorted out! That amount sounds right based on your income level.

Glad Claimyr worked for you too! It's nice to actually get answers instead of guessing.

Adjudication can take time but 6 weeks is pretty long. Have you tried calling to check the status? Sometimes there's additional information they need.

I've called probably 200 times and can never get through. The phone system just hangs up on you.

How does part-time work affect the benefit amount? I had some freelance income too.

All your earnings in the base year quarters count toward the calculation, including part-time and freelance work. That's why it's important to report everything accurately.

That range sounds reasonable for what I need. Thanks for the estimate!

I want to know before I file so I can plan my budget. Plus I've heard some people have issues with their claims getting stuck in adjudication.

It's smart to understand the process before filing. Adjudication delays are real and can take weeks to resolve.

I tried that calculator but couldn't figure out which quarters to use for the base period calculation

Your base period is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim.

Washington doesn't have dependent allowances for regular unemployment benefits. You might be thinking of other states or different benefit programs.

oh ok my mistake, thanks for clarifying

Do you have to prove the dependents or do they just take your word for it?

You'll need to provide social security numbers and birth certificates for the kids. They verify everything through their system.

Wait, there's extra money for kids? I have two children and nobody told me about this when I filed my claim.

Yes, it's called the dependency allowance. You should contact Washington ESD to add your dependents to your claim if you didn't include them originally.

Thanks! That could be an extra $50 per week which would really help right now.

That's great! Claimyr really does work well for getting through to Washington ESD when you need to talk to someone.

damn i should have tried that instead of calling for weeks myself

You need to have earned at least $7,000 in your base year OR worked at least 680 hours at minimum wage or higher. If you met either of those requirements you should qualify.

I definitely made more than $7,000 so I should be good. Thanks for clarifying!

The maximum weekly benefit amount is adjusted annually based on the state's average weekly wage. For 2025 it's $999 per week.

That's actually pretty good compared to other states. Thanks!

How long have you been waiting? I'm worried about the gap between filing and actually getting money.

going on 3 weeks now. they said 7-10 business days but that was obviously wrong

You can set up direct deposit instead of waiting for the debit card. Goes much faster that way.

Extended benefits are only available during periods of high unemployment in the state. They're not automatic and depend on economic conditions.

That's what I was afraid of. Guess I need to intensify my job search.

Oh really? I didn't know they had a calculator. I'll check that out.

yeah its under the 'before you file' section i think. gives you a ballpark figure

Got it, so if I get $300/week I could collect up to $7,800 total over 26 weeks.

Exactly right. And you have to actively search for work and file weekly claims to keep getting benefits.

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

Job applications, networking events, career fairs, interviews, even updating your resume or LinkedIn profile can count.

Was it worth it? I'm still struggling to get through to anyone at Washington ESD.

Definitely worth it for me. The agent was able to look at my account and explain exactly how they calculated my $732 weekly benefit amount.

How much does Claimyr cost? Is it worth it just to ask about benefit amounts?

They don't charge much and it saved me so much time and frustration. If you need to talk to Washington ESD about anything important, it's definitely worth using instead of the phone maze.

I was skeptical at first but ended up using it when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Got connected to an agent within an hour instead of trying for weeks on my own.

Good point! I forgot about that. What percentage do they withhold if you choose that option?

They withhold 10% for federal taxes. You can elect this when you file your initial claim or change it later.

I tried that calculator but couldn't find it on their website. Do you have a direct link?

I think they moved it around recently. It used to be easier to find on the main unemployment page.

Good point! I did some Uber driving on weekends. Wonder if that counts toward my wages.

if you got a 1099 for it then yes, but gig work can be tricky with unemployment eligibility requirements

Thanks for the tip! I'll make sure to set up direct deposit when I file my first weekly claim.

Agree about the debit card fees. Direct deposit is definitely the way to go.

This is super helpful! So it's not just your highest quarter, it's the average of your two highest?

Exactly. They average your two highest quarters to smooth out any seasonal variations in your earnings.

Wait I thought it was just the highest quarter times 3.85%? Now I'm confused again.

Ugh, I hadn't thought about taxes. Good reminder though.

Yeah, you can elect 10% federal tax withholding when you file your weekly claims. Saves you from a big tax bill later.

I agree the website isn't user-friendly, but the information is there. Look under 'Benefits' then 'How Benefits Are Calculated' for the detailed breakdown.

I've looked everywhere and the info is either outdated or vague. They need to make this stuff clearer.

The website is terrible but once you figure out the system it's not that bad. Just takes patience.

Good to know it stays consistent. I was worried it might decrease over time.

I didn't even think about taxes, thanks for the reminder!

You can have taxes withheld automatically from your weekly payments if you want, makes it easier at tax time.

How many job applications do you need to do per week?

You need to make at least 3 work search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities.

I'm not getting severance so that shouldn't be an issue for me.

then you should be able to start collecting right away once your claim is approved

This is helpful but what if you worked part-time? Does the calculation work the same way?

Yes, same calculation regardless of full-time or part-time. It's all based on your actual earnings during that highest quarter.

Standby is for temporary layoffs where you expect to be called back within a specific timeframe. Regular unemployment is for permanent job loss. What's your situation?

My company said 'temporary layoff' but gave no return date. Been 6 weeks now.

That sounds like regular unemployment to me. If they can't give you a firm return date, file a regular claim. That Claimyr service I mentioned earlier could help you talk to someone at Washington ESD to confirm.

No, your weekly benefit amount stays the same throughout your benefit year. What changes is how many weeks you can collect - usually up to 26 weeks in Washington.

Oh that's good to know. I was worried it would decrease over time.

That's encouraging! I'm hoping my overtime hours will help boost mine too.

Same here, I was worried I wouldn't qualify for much but ended up getting close to $400/week because of seasonal work I did.

how much does that cost? i'm already strapped for cash

It's worth it if you really need to talk to someone at Washington ESD. Much better than spending hours trying to call yourself.

What day of the week do you file? I'm never sure when the new claim week starts

Weekly claims are available starting Sunday for the previous week. I always file on Sunday morning to make sure I don't forget.

You can appeal the monetary determination if you think there's an error in your wage calculation. You'd need to provide documentation showing Washington ESD has incorrect wage information.

Where would I get that documentation? My pay stubs?

Pay stubs, W-2s, or anything showing wages that weren't properly reported to Washington ESD by your employer.

I feel your frustration but getting angry won't help. Have you tried contacting your state legislator's office? Sometimes they can help push things along with Washington ESD.

I shouldn't have to involve politicians just to get basic information about my own unemployment claim!

Yeah, I always have them withhold 10% federal taxes. Better to get a small refund than owe money at tax time.

Exactly! And Washington state doesn't have income tax so you only worry about federal taxes on unemployment benefits.

Good point about taxes. I should probably have them withhold something so I don't get hit with a big bill later.

definitely recommend having taxes withheld. learned that the hard way when i had to pay back a bunch at tax time

Your benefit amount is locked in based on your base period when you file. Higher recent wages won't affect your current claim, but could help if you need to file again next year.

That makes sense. Guess I should have waited a few more months before getting laid off!

How long does it usually take to get that letter?

Usually within a week or two of filing your claim, but it can take longer if they need to verify your wages with employers.