How much is unemployment benefit amount in Washington ESD?

Thanks! So it's not just based on my most recent pay but on my best quarter? That's confusing but might work in my favor since I had overtime last summer.

yeah the base period thing is weird, it's like the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file your claim

So if I made like $13k in my best quarter that would be $500 per week divided by 26 then times 0.6? That seems complicated.

No, you divide the $13k by 26 first which gives you $500, then take 60% of that which is $300 per week approximately.

Thanks! So if I made like $8000 in my best quarter that would be around $307 per week?

That sounds about right, but you should check your Washington ESD account online to see the exact calculation once your claim is processed.

Thanks! So if I made $52k annually, that would be roughly $13k per quarter. Does that mean I'd get around $500 weekly?

Yes, that's approximately right. Just remember they use your actual highest earning quarter, not an average. Check your wage statement in your Washington ESD account to see your exact quarterly earnings.

That sounds about right for what I was hoping. Do you know how long it takes to get approved and start receiving payments?

Usually 2-3 weeks if there are no issues with your claim. Make sure you file your weekly claims every week even while waiting for approval.

Thanks! So I need to add up all my wages from my best 3-month period? How do I know which quarter was my highest?

Yeah exactly. Washington ESD will automatically calculate which quarter was your highest when you file. You can also check your quarterly wage statements if you saved them.

It's not quite 60% - that's more like disability. For unemployment it's based on your quarterly wages divided by 26 weeks, up to the state maximum.

Thanks! That actually sounds about right for what I was making. Do you know if there's a maximum amount?

Yes, the maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington is $999 per week as of 2025. But most people don't hit that unless they were making really good money.

So they don't just use my most recent salary? That seems weird. What if I got a raise recently?

Nope, they use older wage data. If you got a recent raise, it might not be included in your base year calculation unfortunately.

Thanks! So if I made about $7,000 in my highest quarter, that would be around $269 per week?

That sounds about right, but Washington ESD also has a minimum benefit amount of $295 per week, so you'd get at least that much.

Wait, I'm confused about the base period thing. Does that mean they don't count my most recent quarter of work?

right, they usually dont count your most recent quarter because employers haven't reported those wages yet. thats why you should file asap after losing your job

Wait I thought it was based on your highest quarter divided by 26 weeks? I'm so confused by all this math.

The calculation is: (highest quarter wages ÷ 26) × 0.0385 + $5. But there are minimums and maximums that apply too.

Interesting, I've been trying to call Washington ESD but keep getting busy signals. How much does this Claimyr thing cost?

I found it worth it considering how much time I was wasting trying to get through on my own. The main thing is it actually works - I got connected to a real Washington ESD agent who could look up my account.

That's helpful to know someone in a similar situation. How long did it take for your claim to get approved?

took about 3 weeks but that was because they had to verify my employment. some people get it faster

Thanks! Where do I find my quarterly earnings? Is that on my pay stubs or do I need to get it from Washington ESD?

You can request a copy of your wage record from Washington ESD or check with your employer's payroll department. The base period is usually the first four of the last five completed quarters before you file.

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $12,000, that would be about $415 per week? That seems pretty good actually.

That sounds about right, but Washington ESD will calculate the exact amount when you file your claim. The formula can vary slightly based on your specific earnings pattern.

Thanks! So if I made like $12,000 in my best quarter, I'd get around $460 per week?

That's right, assuming you meet all the other eligibility requirements like being able and available for work.

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $13,000, I'd get about $385 per week?

That sounds about right. You can use the benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website to get an exact estimate before you file your claim.

Thanks! So if I made around $9,000 in my best quarter, that would be about $346 divided by 26 weeks, then 60% of that? That seems really low.

Actually I think I got that backwards - they divide your highest quarter by 26 to get your average weekly wage, then the benefit is about 50% of that up to the maximum. So $9000/26 = $346 per week average, and 50% would be about $173 weekly benefit.

Thanks! So if I was making around $630 a week gross, I'd probably get somewhere around $315 weekly? That's actually more than I expected.

That sounds about right, but remember it's based on your highest quarter, not your most recent earnings. If you had a really good quarter earlier in the year, your benefit could be higher.

Thanks! That helps a lot. I think my best quarter was probably around $10,000 so that would be like $385 a week?

Yeah that sounds about right. Plus you might be eligible for the additional $25 dependency allowance if you have qualifying dependents.

60% sounds low compared to what the other person said. I'm getting different numbers from everyone!

It's not a straight percentage like that. Washington ESD uses a specific calculation based on your base period quarters, not just a percentage of your salary.

It's actually more complicated than that. Washington uses a formula based on your two highest quarters in your base period. The weekly benefit amount is roughly 3.85% of those combined quarters, divided by 26 weeks.

oh ok that makes more sense thanks

Thanks! How do I figure out what my highest quarter was? I don't have all my old pay stubs.

Washington ESD will pull your wage information automatically from employers when you file your claim. You don't need to provide pay stubs for the calculation.

Where exactly is this calculator? I've looked everywhere on the secure.esd.wa.gov site and can't find it.

It's under the 'Before You Apply' section but honestly it's easier to just call them and ask. Good luck getting through though.

So if I was making around $700 a week, I'd get about $350? That's not too bad actually.

That sounds about right, but Washington ESD looks at your base year earnings specifically. You'll see the exact amount once you file your initial claim.

Yeah my schedule has been all over the place. Some weeks I worked 40 hours, some weeks only 25. Will that hurt my claim?

Variable hours shouldn't hurt you as long as you met the minimum earnings requirement. Washington ESD looks at total wages earned, not just hours worked.

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

Really? How does that work exactly? I'm so desperate at this point.

Basically they handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent picks up. Super easy to use and way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Thanks! So if I made around $13,000 in my best quarter, I'd get about $500 per week?

That's right, approximately $500 weekly. You can also use the benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website to get an exact estimate.

Thanks! That helps a lot. I think my highest quarter was around $13,000 so that would put me at about $500 a week.

Just remember you also have to meet the minimum earnings requirement in your base period. I think it's around $3,500 total.

Thanks! Do you know what the base year is exactly? I'm confused about which quarters they look at.

The base year is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you file in January 2025, they'd look at quarters from October 2023 through September 2024.

Thanks! Where do I find info about my base period quarters? Is that on my paystubs?

You can see it when you file your initial claim on the Washington ESD website. They'll show you exactly which quarters they're using.

Wait, is that before or after taxes? Do they take taxes out of unemployment benefits?

You can choose to have federal taxes withheld at 10% when you file your weekly claims, but it's optional.

It's actually based on your highest quarter, not average weekly wage. Washington ESD takes your highest earning quarter from the base year, divides by 26, then you get roughly 3.85% of that amount per week.

oh ok thanks for correcting me, i always get confused by how they calculate it

Never heard of that service before. Did they charge you anything to help you get through?

It was worth it to actually talk to someone who could look at my account and explain exactly how they calculated my weekly amount. Way better than guessing or waiting on hold for hours.

Is that service legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for two days and keep getting busy signals.

Yeah it's real, I was skeptical too but it actually worked. Got me connected to someone at Washington ESD within about 20 minutes instead of spending hours trying to call.

I used something similar when I couldn't get through to check my claim status. Worth it if you're desperate to talk to someone.

How long did it take for you to get through the initial application process?

took me like 3 tries to get through on the phone to complete it properly

I don't have any dependents, so I guess that wouldn't apply to me. What's the minimum weekly benefit amount?

The minimum WBA for 2025 is $295 per week. You need at least $7,670 in your base period to qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington.

Yeah I'm definitely confused by all the quarters and base periods stuff. Did you end up calling Washington ESD to ask about it?

tried calling but gave up after being on hold for 2 hours. just accepted whatever amount they gave me lol

Six weeks?? That's crazy long. Did you have issues with your claim?

yeah it got stuck in adjudication for some reason. never figured out why exactly

Same here! I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days about my benefit amount calculation and can never get through.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr.com - it's a service that calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an actual agent. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to get through myself.

That sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost?

It's worth it when you're stuck waiting weeks for answers about your claim. Way better than spending entire days redialing the same number.

Did you have any trouble getting through to Washington ESD when you filed? I'm worried about the application process.

Oh man, calling them is a nightmare. I probably spent 3 hours on hold multiple times before I could even talk to someone about my claim.

Wow $743 is pretty decent. What's this Claimyr thing? Never heard of it.

It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD phone lines. I was spending hours trying to call and getting nowhere. They made it super easy.

Sounds like another scam to me. Why would you pay someone to make a phone call?

I don't have any kids so I guess that doesn't apply to me. Just trying to figure out the base amount.

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

It's legit. I used it twice when I had questions about my claim status and both times got connected within 30 minutes instead of waiting hours on hold.

That sounds too good to be true but I might try it if I can't get through the normal way.

Good point about the minimum requirements. I should be fine there since I worked the full year.

I agree it's frustrating, but they need to verify your wage history with employers first. That's why it takes time to process.

still annoying when ur broke and need to know what ur getting

I get the frustration but the calculation formula is actually pretty straightforward once you understand it. The problem is they don't explain it well on their website.

Maybe for you but I've been unemployed for 2 months and still don't know my exact benefit amount because of their adjudication process taking forever

Take a deep breath. Once your claim is processed, you'll see your weekly benefit amount in your SecureAccess Washington account. The initial determination usually takes 1-2 weeks.

It's been three weeks though! Should I be worried that something is wrong with my claim?

Three weeks might mean your claim is in adjudication. That happens when they need to verify employment details or investigate something about your separation from work.

That makes sense. I think my highest quarter was probably last summer when I worked a lot of overtime hours.

Don't forget you also have to meet the minimum earnings requirement. You need at least $3,500 in your base period and earnings in at least two quarters.

It's actually closer to 50% for most people, and they use a formula based on your highest quarter earnings divided by 26 weeks.

oh ok thanks for the correction

I tried that but couldn't find my exact wage information. My paystubs are kind of scattered.

If you can't find your wage info, Washington ESD should have it from your employer's reports. You can request a wage statement from them.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents without waiting on hold forever. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that explains how it works.

Really? That sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost?

It's worth it when you need answers about your claim. Way better than spending hours on hold or never getting through at all.

I feel you. The whole system seems designed to make it as difficult as possible to get help.

Exactly! And then they wonder why people get frustrated and give up on their claims.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I found out about it at claimyr.com and they actually help you get through to Washington ESD agents. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Never heard of that service before. Does it actually work for getting through to real Washington ESD people?

Yeah it connects you to actual Washington ESD agents, not some third party. Really helped when I needed to resolve a discrepancy in my benefit calculation.

I don't have any dependents so I guess I won't get that extra amount. Every bit helps though.

Wait, does that include stepchildren? My husband has two kids from his previous marriage.

I believe it has to be your own dependents that you claim on your taxes, but I'd double-check the Washington ESD website to be sure.

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

It's legit! I was skeptical too but it really did get me through to talk to someone at Washington ESD about my claim. Way better than spending hours on hold.

Might have to try that if I run into issues. The phone system does seem pretty backed up.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents by phone. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly 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 my claim got stuck in adjudication and I needed to speak with someone about my benefit calculation. Much easier than trying to call on your own.

Wait, they tax unemployment benefits? I didn't know that.

Yes, unemployment benefits are considered taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld when you certify each week, or pay them when you file your tax return.

Exactly! So that $400 becomes more like $320 after taxes. It's ridiculous.

True, the cost of living adjustment helps but it's still tight. At least it's something while you're job searching.

yeah better than nothing for sure. just wish it covered more of what I was actually making

That's a pretty big range. Is there any way to estimate it more precisely before filing?

Washington ESD has a benefit calculator on their website but it's not always accurate. Your best bet is to file and see what they determine.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I found it at claimyr.com and it actually got me through to a Washington ESD rep in like 20 minutes. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way better than sitting on hold all day.

Never heard of that but honestly anything is better than this phone nightmare. I'll check it out, thanks.

That would actually help a lot right now. How long does it take to get approved and start receiving payments?

Mine took about 3 weeks but I know some people wait longer if their claim goes into adjudication. Make sure you file your weekly claims even while waiting for approval.

I tried the calculator but couldn't find all my quarterly wage info. Do I need to get that from my employer or does Washington ESD already have it?

Washington ESD should have your wage records from employers who paid into the UI system. When you file your claim, they'll use those records to calculate your benefit amount.

How much does that cost though? I'm already broke which is why I need unemployment in the first place.

It's worth it when you consider how much time you save not sitting on hold for hours. I tried calling Washington ESD directly for weeks and never got through.

This is super helpful! So if I made $8,400 in my two highest quarters combined, that would be about $12.46 per week? That seems really low.

You're missing a step in the calculation. It's ($8,400 × 3.85%) ÷ 26 = $12.46. But wait, that's way below the minimum. Let me double-check your earnings - are you sure about those quarterly amounts?

Oh wait, I think I calculated wrong. If I'm making $2,800 monthly, that's like $8,400 per quarter, not total for two quarters.

It's actually closer to 50% of your average weekly wage during your base period, not 60%. The minimum is $295 per week and maximum is $999 for 2025.

oh ok thanks for the correction, i knew it was around half but wasnt sure of the exact percentage

Wait so they use two highest quarters, not just one? This is confusing. Do you know what the minimum benefit is?

The minimum weekly benefit in Washington is $295 as of 2025. And yes, they average your two highest quarters of earnings, then divide by 26 to get your weekly benefit amount.

I think you're mixing up the calculation. When I got my determination letter from Washington ESD last year, it clearly showed they used my highest single quarter divided by 26.

I tried using that calculator but I don't have all my quarterly info. Would my pay stubs work or do I need something else?

Pay stubs should work fine. You just need to add up your gross wages for each quarter. Your employer reports this to Washington ESD anyway so they'll verify it.

Actually if you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check your wage records, I used this service called Claimyr recently. They can help you get through to an actual agent instead of sitting on hold forever. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

What if you worked part time? Does that affect the calculation?

Part time work is included in the calculation as long as you earned wages that were reported to Washington ESD. It's all about your total earnings in that highest quarter.

Really? I've been trying to call for days but keep getting that busy signal. How does Claimyr work?

They basically handle the calling for you and get you connected when an agent is available. Saved me hours of trying to get through on my own.

sounds too good to be true... what's the catch?

Same here! I've called like 50 times and either get disconnected or they say all agents are busy. This is ridiculous.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr above. I was in the same boat - calling every day, getting hung up on constantly. Claimyr actually got me through to a real person within like 20 minutes. Worth checking out if you're stuck.

Is that legit? Sounds too good to be true honestly. How much does it cost?

Yeah it's legitimate. They don't ask for any personal info or anything sketchy. Just helps you navigate their phone system better than doing it manually.

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

It's legit - they don't ask for any personal unemployment info, just handle the calling part. I was skeptical too but it saved me hours of redialing.

I might try that if I run into issues. The phone system sounds like a complete mess from what everyone says.

Never heard of that service before. Does it really work to get through to Washington ESD?

Yeah, I was skeptical at first but it connected me within 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own.

Oh wow I didn't know that! So if I get $300 a week I should probably have $30 withheld for taxes?

That's the standard withholding rate, yes. You can change it later if needed through your Washington ESD account.

Don't panic! Once your claim is processed, you'll get a monetary determination letter that shows exactly how they calculated your benefit amount. If you think it's wrong, you can appeal it.

How long does it usually take to get that letter? I'm already stressed about money and not knowing is making it worse.

Oh wow, I hadn't thought about taxes. How much do they typically withhold?

I think it's 10% federal tax withholding if you elect to have it taken out. You can change this setting in your SecureAccess Washington account.

I've been working for about 18 months so I should have enough quarters, right?

Yes, you need wages in at least two quarters of your base year, so you should be fine.

Oh I didn't know about the taxes! Do most people have them withheld or just pay at tax time?

I had them withheld 10% federal. Easier than getting hit with a big tax bill later. You can change it anytime in your account.

So if my highest quarter was around $13,000, that would be $13,000 ÷ 26 = $500, then $500 × 0.0385 = about $19 per week? That seems way too low.

You made an error in the calculation. It should be ($13,000 ÷ 26) × 0.0385 = $500 × 0.0385 = about $19.25. Wait, that does seem wrong. Let me double-check the formula.

I think the formula might be different. From what I remember, it's more like 3.85% of your total highest quarter earnings, not the weekly amount. So $13,000 × 0.0385 = about $500 per week, which sounds more reasonable.

Ugh, I forgot about taxes. So I should probably set aside some money from each payment?

yeah i'd recommend setting aside like 15-20% for taxes. you can also elect to have federal taxes withheld when you certify for benefits

What kind of issues would cause them to review it? I was laid off due to lack of work.

Lack of work should be fine. They usually review if there's any question about why you left your job or if your employer disputes the claim.

Oh wow I didn't think about taxes. Should I have them withhold 10% or more?

Depends on your tax bracket but 10% is usually a safe starting point. You can always adjust it later through your account.

It usually takes 2-3 weeks to get your monetary determination letter. That's when you'll see your exact weekly benefit amount.

thanks, guess i just gotta wait it out

I understand the frustration, but the formula is actually designed to be fair based on your work history. It prevents people who worked very little from getting the same benefits as someone who worked full-time.

Fair? Tell that to someone who's been calling Washington ESD for weeks trying to get a simple question answered!

That sounds too good to be true. How does that service work exactly? Do they charge a lot?

It's legit - they just help you get through to Washington ESD faster instead of sitting on hold forever. Way better than trying to call on your own and getting nowhere.

I've heard of services like that but never tried one. Might be worth it if you really need to talk to someone at Washington ESD.

Wait, so I can still collect unemployment even if I'm working 15 hours a week? I thought you had to be completely unemployed.

Nope! Partial unemployment is definitely a thing. As long as your reduced earnings are less than your weekly benefit amount plus $5, you can collect partial benefits.

This is news to me too. I've been struggling with reduced hours at my restaurant job and didn't know I could file for partial unemployment benefits.

Good point about taxes. I forgot unemployment benefits are taxable income.

Yeah I learned that the hard way last year. Owed like $800 in taxes because I didn't have them withhold anything from my UI payments.

I know it seems complicated but the formula is pretty straightforward once you understand it. The reason they use quarters is to ensure you have a recent work history.

I guess but it's still frustrating when you just want a simple answer about your benefits

Good point! I didn't think about taxes. Is it better to have them withheld or just pay at the end of the year?

Depends on your situation but I'd recommend having them withheld so you don't get hit with a big tax bill later.

I get the frustration but the formula is actually pretty standard. The problem is their customer service is overwhelmed and undertrained.

Standard or not, when you can't reach anyone to explain it, it might as well be rocket science.

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

That makes sense, thank you! So they're not looking at my most recent work, but the year before that basically.

That's helpful math! Do you know if overtime hours count toward the calculation?

Yes, all wages including overtime count toward your benefit calculation. Washington ESD looks at total gross wages during your base period.

That's good to know. I might pick up some delivery driving while I'm looking for a new job.

Just make sure you report all earnings accurately on your weekly claim. Washington ESD will find out eventually and you don't want to deal with an overpayment situation.

That's helpful, thanks! Did you have any issues with the application or did it go smoothly?

pretty smooth but had to wait for them to verify my identity which took a few extra days

It's not random - it's based on a specific formula using your wage history. If you log into your Washington ESD account, there should be a monetary determination that shows the calculation.

yeah i saw that but the numbers don't make sense to me. maybe i need to call and ask someone to explain it

The estimator is just a rough calculation. Your actual benefit depends on your specific wage history and how they calculate your base period quarters.

yeah those online calculators are pretty unreliable, better to just wait for the actual determination

What counts as a job search activity? I've been applying online but wasn't sure if that's enough.

Online applications count, but you need to keep detailed records including company names, dates, and positions applied for.

That's exactly the kind of situation where Claimyr helped me. I was stuck in adjudication for weeks and couldn't get anyone on the phone. Used their service and finally got to talk to someone who could explain what was holding up my claim.

At this point I'm willing to try anything. The online chat never works and calling is impossible.

The base period is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be January 2024 through September 2024.

That's weird that they don't use the most recent quarter. Why do they do it that way?

It's because employers need time to report wages to Washington ESD. The most recent quarter's wages might not be fully reported yet when you file.

How many jobs do you have to apply for each week? I heard it was 3 but not sure.

It's at least 3 job search activities per week. Can be applications, networking, job fairs, etc. You have to keep a log of what you did.

And make sure you're looking for work that's suitable for your skills and experience. Can't just apply to random jobs.

When do you file the weekly claims? Is it the same day every week?

you can file starting sunday for the previous week. i always do mine sunday morning so i don't forget

That's reassuring to hear it's consistent. Did you have any issues when you first applied?

Just had to wait through adjudication for about 3 weeks because my employer contested the claim initially. But once approved, payments have been smooth.